Poison drummer Rikki Rockett recently addressed the ongoing frustration surrounding the band’s inactivity following the completion of the 2022 The Stadium Tour with Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard. Speaking on the Cobras & Fire podcast, Rockett explained why Poison hasn’t hit the road again, pointing directly to frontman Bret Michaels’ focus on his solo project, the Bret Michaels Band.
“Yeah, I was ready to go out the next year, honestly. Bret [Michaels, Poison frontman] was pursuing Bret Michaels Band. I mean, it’s that simple,” Rockett said.
“There really is no other… I could lie, but that’s the beginning and the end of it. He wanted to go out there with his solo band and do stuff. And he wanted to give it a shot with all that, and use that momentum to do that. And so he did. And hopefully that’ll change in the new year, and we’ll get back out there.”
Rockett also addressed speculation about whether Poison would consider touring with a different singer while Michaels focuses on his solo career.
“We’ve talked about that [going on Poison tour with another singer while Bret is busy with his solo band] when we’ve gotten upset, just like I’m sure Bret’s talked about replacing me when he’s gotten upset. But there hasn’t been any serious discussion about that.”
Rockett’s comments come after a lengthy gap in Poison’s activity. The band’s most recent major tour was The Stadium Tour, which placed Poison on the bill with Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.
The tour ran across North America from June 16 through September 9, 2022, after originally being scheduled for 2020 and postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michaels was also balancing Poison with his solo career around the time of the tour. He was traveling to a solo performance shortly before The Stadium Tour began, highlighting the separate demands of his work with the Bret Michaels Band.
Michaels had previously suggested that Poison fans might face an extended wait for the band’s return. “Poison fans may have to wait until 2025 to see the band perform again after ‘The Stadium Tour,'” he said.
That prediction helps provide context for Rockett’s latest remarks, although the drummer said there has been no serious plan to replace Michaels. For now, Poison’s future touring schedule remains uncertain while the band members continue pursuing their individual projects.
