For fans of eighties glam metal, the year 2026 was supposed to be a milestone celebration. It marks exactly four decades since Poison released their seminal debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, a record that helped define the hair metal era with hits like “Talk Dirty to Me” and “I Want Action.” However, the long-rumored anniversary stadium tour has officially been taken off the table, and according to drummer Ricki Rockett, the blame lies squarely at the feet of frontman Bret Michaels.
A Financial Rift at the Heart of the Band
The tension within the group appears to have reached a breaking point over money. In a candid interview with Page Six, Rockett revealed that while most of the band was eager to hit the road, the financial negotiations became impossible. According to Rockett, Michaels was demanding a staggering 600 percent payday compared to the rest of the original lineup.
Rockett explained the situation in stark terms, stating that Michaels essentially wanted the “lion’s share” of the revenue. The drummer noted that for every single dollar earned by himself, guitarist C.C. DeVille, or bassist Bobby Dall, Michaels was asking for six. Rockett emphasized that while he still loves the music and the performance aspect of the job, the math simply did not work. He argued that it is impossible to justify working that hard just to line the pockets of one individual while the rest of the foundation receives a fraction of the rewards.
Strained Relations and Silence
This latest development follows months of rumors regarding the internal health of the band. Poison last shared a stage during their highly successful 2022 stadium tour alongside Mötley Crüe, but communication has evidently soured since then. Rockett previously mentioned on a podcast that he and Michaels are no longer on speaking terms, a situation he described as a “shame.”
While Rockett maintains a close friendship with C.C. DeVille, he noted that Bobby Dall tends to keep a lower profile. The divide seems to be between the three instrumentalists, who were reportedly “all in” for the anniversary run, and Michaels, whose solo success in reality television and independent touring has seemingly shifted his perspective on the band’s internal hierarchy.
Is a New Frontman the Solution?
When asked if Poison would ever consider touring with a different singer to fill Michaels’ shoes, Rockett didn’t immediately shut the door on the idea. However, he was quick to describe such a move as a “last resort,” comparing the decision to a high-stakes surgery. For a legacy act like Poison, much of the brand’s value is tied to the chemistry and recognition of the four original members. Replacing a personality as large as Bret Michaels would be a gamble that could alienate the core fanbase.
Looking Toward the Future and Rockett Mafia
Despite the Poison tour collapse, Ricki Rockett isn’t hanging up the sticks for the year. He has announced plans to tour with his side project, Rockett Mafia. Fans who were hoping to hear the classic debut album in its entirety will still get their wish, as Rockett intends to perform Look What the Cat Dragged In during his solo dates.
As for the future of the original quartet, Rockett is holding out a sliver of hope for 2027. He joked that it would be a “perfect Poison folly” to celebrate a 41st anniversary rather than a 40th. For now, the “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” singers remain divided, proving that even after four decades, the business of rock and roll can be just as volatile as the music itself.