Rikki Rockett has opened up about internal touring tensions within Poison, offering his viewpoint during an appearance on The Hair Metal Guru.
The drummer responded to remarks from Pete Evick about contract negotiations tied to a proposed 2026 Poison tour and outlined the main reason the plans have stalled. “The reason that this contract [for a Poison 2026 tour] has not gone through is because Bret wants more than the lion’s share,” Rockett said. “The amount of money he wants would make it where it’s pretty much impossible to run the production of the band.”
Rockett also suggested that frontman Bret Michaels may be focusing on other priorities rather than committing to a Poison tour. “And he knows that, and I think the reason he’s saying that is because he just simply doesn’t wanna tour with us this year. He must have some ideas about what he wants to do with Bret Michaels [solo] band this year. I’m assuming — I don’t know, because we don’t talk. I would love to talk about it, but at this point in time, it’s just not a deal.”
He further emphasized his stance on fair compensation and the responsibility of upholding Poison’s legacy. “So we’re not gonna do that. I’m not gonna go out there and play for peanuts or wind up upside down, so he can make all this money because he’s out playing Poison songs with another band. I mean, really, if you think about it, does any of that make sense? I’m gonna ask for more money because I play Poison songs with other people. That’s not carrying the torch [for Poison].”
The conflict revolves around a milestone moment for the band. According to Metal Anarchy, Live Nation offered Poison a contract for a 40th anniversary headlining run in 2026, intended to honor their debut album Look What the Cat Dragged In. Metal Addicts reported that Rockett, C.C. DeVille, and Bobby Dall were all on board and ready to sign. However, Michaels declined, effectively halting the tour before it could advance and leaving the other members unable to proceed without him.
Much of the disagreement appears linked to differing philosophies on how to tour. As noted by Metal Anarchy, Rockett explained that Michaels often performs solo under a “weekend-warrior” model, playing smaller venues. Poison, meanwhile, functions at a higher level, capable of filling weeknight shows in mid-sized markets such as Omaha, Nebraska. That scale requires precise logistical planning, and Rockett said Michaels’ financial expectations would make a full Poison tour unworkable.
Rockett also clarified where things currently stand, stating that “there is nothing on the books for a 2026 40th-anniversary tour,” as Metal Anarchy reported. He reiterated: “I’m good to go, [and so are bassist Bobby Dall and guitarist C.C. DeVille]. It is [up to Bret at this point].” With Michaels yet to commit, the future of the anniversary celebration—and the potential tour—remains uncertain.
