Rikki Rockett Addresses Bret Michaels Replacement Talk
Poison drummer Rikki Rockett recently spoke to Page Six about rumors that the band could move forward without singer Bret Michaels. This came after Poison canceled its planned 2026 tour because the members could not agree on how to split the money. According to reports, Rockett claimed Michaels wanted six times more pay than the rest of the band.
That disagreement led to speculation about whether Rockett, C.C. DeVille, and Bobby Dall might tour with a different frontman.
Replacing Bret Michaels Is a Last Resort
Rockett made it clear that replacing Michaels is not something he wants to do. He explained that while it is possible, it would only happen as a last option.
“It’s not out of the question. But doing that is like surgery: it’s the last resort. I don’t want to do that.”
He also made it clear that the dispute is not personal and that there is no bad blood between him and Michaels.
“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.”
40th Anniversary Tour Put on Hold
Because of the financial disagreement, Poison’s 40th anniversary tour is now on hold. Reports say Rockett, DeVille, and Dall had already agreed on the financial terms, but Michaels’ demands stopped the tour from moving forward.
This was disappointing for fans, especially since Poison’s last full tour was in 2022 with Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Joan Jett. Even so, Rockett’s comments suggest the door is still open for a future reunion, and that replacing Bret Michaels would only happen if there were no other choice.
