Bret Michaels responds to claims his financial demands thwarted Poison reunion

Posted On January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

Bret Michaels has responded to the claim that Poison were forced to axe their plans to tour in 2026 due to Michaels’ financial demands.

The rock group last performed in 2022 and were due to return to the road this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut album, 1986’s Look What the Cat Dragged In.

Michaels went as far as confirming this, confirming on Facebook that he would be taking 2025 off the road to focus on his health before returning in 2026 with Poison.

After no dates materialised, drummer Rikki Rockett recently told Page Six, “We had a great offer, I thought. But we left the table. It didn’t work.”

Rockett then detailed Michaels’ financial demands that made it an impossible deal to get over the line: “He wanted the lion’s share of the money, to the point where it makes it not possible to even do it.”

Now, Michaels has taken to Facebook again to respond to the allegations. In a post that touched on Rockett’s induction into the Metal Hall of Fame and the upcoming Super Bowl, Michaels began: “To Green Day and Bad Bunny – congratulations on the Super Bowl concert.”

He went on to add, “To my friend Rikki Rockett – have fun tonight with my good buddy Eddie Trunk and enjoy the Metal Hall of Fame ceremony.”

Michaels then wrote, “As always, I consider Poison to be Bobby, C.C., Rikki and myself. I also make no bones about loving the BMB [Bret Michaels Band] and will always have both in my life.”

He signed off, “Bottom line – I love music, I love the fans and I’m always forever grateful. Onward & upward and let’s all focus on the positive in 2026, and the potential of a future reunion.”

His amicable tone echoes what Rockett shared with Page Six, when he clarified, “I’m not quarreling with Bret… We just didn’t come to agreement. I don’t like it, and I’ll say that, but it’s not like, ‘Let’s put up our dukes.’ I don’t think there’s a better frontman for Poison.”

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