Poison drummer Rikki Rockett has delivered a stark update on the band’s future, confirming that the rumored 2026 40th-anniversary tour is not happening and revealing a significant communication breakdown with frontman Bret Michaels.
In a new, candid interview with Robert Edwards of “Talkin’ Bout Rock,” Rockett explained that while most of the band was ready for a tour, the plans were halted by Michaels. The proposed tour would have celebrated the 40th anniversary of their debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In.
Rockett stated that a lucrative offer from Live Nation was presented to the band, but only three of the four members agreed to it.
“I’ll set the record straight as far as Poison touring: at this point in time, there is nothing on the books for a 2026 40th-anniversary tour,” Rockett said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “And I said it months ago when we got presented a contract from Live Nation to go on tour [next year]. C.C., Bobby and I agreed. We thought it was great. We thought the money was great. We thought the lay of the land looked great. And then Bret looked at it and has not agreed to anything. So literally that is where we’re at.”
Rockett speculated that Michaels’ hesitation might stem from the difference between a full-scale Poison tour and the “weekend-warrior” style he employs with his solo band.
“…Poison tours the way Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe and Luke Bryan or whoever [tours], where we basically kiss our families goodbye for three-plus months… and we’re playing five nights a week, sometimes six nights a week,” Rockett explained. “And that’s not how Bret tours [with his solo band]. He does weekend-warrior stuff, which there’s nothing wrong with that at all.”
Beyond the business disagreement, Rockett revealed that the internal relationships within the band are strained, specifically confirming that he is no longer on speaking terms with his longtime singer.
“I talk to C.C. [DeVille] all the time, at least once or twice a week,” Rockett said. “I talk to Bobby [Dall] less. Bobby keeps to himself a lot these days… But Bret and I do not talk, unfortunately. And that’s a shame — honestly, it is. So we get bits and pieces of stuff.”
This update contradicts optimistic statements Michaels made in February 2024, when he suggested the “all-original Poison” would do a “big stadium tour and arena tour in 2025.” Poison‘s last major run was as part of “The Stadium Tour” in 2022 alongside Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Joan Jett.
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