Poison’s 40th Anniversary Tour Cancelled
Poison’s drummer, Ricky Lockett, has announced the cancellation of the band’s Milestone Tour, which was set for 2026. The reason? Lead singer Bret Michaels demanded significantly more money than the other members, making arrangements impossible to finalize.
“I thought I had a decent offer, but I ended up walking away. It just didn’t pan out,” Lockett explained. He mentioned that while he, CC DeVille, and Bobby Dall were all on board, Michaels’ financial demands were simply too high. It left the rest of the band in a tight spot.
Lockett emphasized that he is not in it for the money, expressing a passion for performing but also noting that he doesn’t want to work hard only to enrich someone else excessively. “I genuinely love what I do, but I also want to make sure it’s fair,” he added.
Despite the disagreements, Lockett mentioned he holds no grudges against Michaels. He reflected on how important the band has been to him, likening any negative feelings to “hating my parents.” He insisted that they could potentially resolve the financial issues by next year for the band’s 41st anniversary, joking about it being fitting for Poison’s quirky nature.
When asked if Michaels could be replaced, Lockett said it’s a possibility “but would be a last resort,” highlighting that they are not actively looking for another lead singer. “We just couldn’t reach an agreement. It’s not a feud; I just wish it was different,” he remarked, affirming that Michaels remains irreplaceable in his eyes.
Formed in 1983 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the band’s original name was Paris before they moved to Los Angeles and rebranded to Poison. They initially faced challenges securing a record deal but eventually found success with albums like “Look What the Cat Dragged In” and “Open Up and Say… Aah!”—the latter featuring the iconic “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”
Even after facing internal conflicts, including DeVille’s firing and rehiring, the band continued to grow. Michaels also explored solo projects and reality TV appearances, while Lockett is dedicated to celebrating their legacy with performances of “Look What the Cat Dragged In” during future shows.
