Bret Michaels expressed his need for a Poison 40th-anniversary tour in 2026 following days of back-and-forth between the singer’s varied bandmates about their 2025 plans — or lack thereof.

“It’s no secret, I have stated previously that in 2025 I’m planning to perform limited shows to focus primarily on health, starting with my diabetes, which needs a tune-up,” Michaels wrote on Facebook, “not to mention a little R&R, as everyone knows my tireless work ethic and passion for performing music, as well as some much-needed personal family time. Like I recently stated, I’m like a classic muscle car — still fast and still fun to drive, just need a little more maintenance lol.

“However, in 2026, I’m excited to say will probably be Poison’s 40th anniversary for the reason that launch of Look What the Cat Dragged In in 1986, so it might make excellent sense to have the potential for a reunion in 2026,” Michaels continued. “In my opinion, it might be the proper 40th anniversary tour, with 40 superior restricted dates to exit, play actual reside hit songs and rock the world.” The singer noted the band’s 2018 headlining tour and 2022 stadium jaunt with Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Joan Jett and Classless Act and said that “now, 4 years after that, Poison hopefully will proceed to rock the world in a 2026 headlining tour.”

Michaels emphasized that “though none of that is confirmed and it takes a lot coordination and planning to have a profitable tour, good issues occur in 4’s for Poison — 4 authentic band members, 40th anniversary, 40 restricted dates, Parti-Gras 4.0 and May the 4’s be with you!”

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How Did the Bret Michaels and Poison Tour Drama Start?

Michaels himself stoked anticipation for a 2025 Poison tour during a February Q&A session aboard the Rock Legends Cruise XI, where he reportedly said (via Blabbermouth): “When we return, I believe in 2025, it is all the time been, to me, all-original Poison. We’ll have C.C [DeVille, guitar] and Bobby [Dall, bass] and Rikki [Rockett, drums] and myself and go do one other huge stadium tour and enviornment tour in 2025.”

This week, however, Rockett squashed the possibility for a 2025 Poison tour. The drummer wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post, “I maintain getting requested a number of instances a day, ‘Why is not Poison touring in 2025 now?’ Super easy reply: Bret does not need to.”

This predictably ignited the classic rock online fandom, prompting Rockett to issue a follow-up statement: “People, I by no means mentioned that Bret is cancelling the 2025 tour. It did not get booked. I mentioned the rationale Poison is not touring in 2025 is as a result of Bret does not need to. Doesn’t matter what the rationale for him is so far as what I mentioned. I’m merely telling you why in order that CC, Bobby or myself does not get blamed. It is not filth. It is not a struggle. Just the information, ma’am. Surmise what you need from it. You will anyway!”

Rockett’s post also inspired a lengthy Facebook response from Michaels’ solo guitarist and musical director Pete Evick. “First and foremost, I ponder, as an alternative of constructing all these loopy assumptions, does anybody perhaps wanna know WHY Bret doesn’t wanna tour with Poison subsequent 12 months?” Evick wrote. “I’ve stood onstage with him each evening and he has by no means mentioned 2025. He has persistently [said] 2026. It’s [their] 40th anniversary and he, together with among the administration staff, are actively planning the 2026 tour proper now. Second, he DOES have some critical well being points that MUST be addressed and brought care of. In reality, I’ve urged him to cancel the remainder of this 12 months to take action!”

With his new statement, Michaels appears to have clarified the aforementioned “critical well being points” and doubled down on the idea of a 40th-anniversary Poison tour. “To all of the unimaginable followers, thanks for persevering with to rock the world not solely with the Bret Michaels Parti-Gras at present touring but additionally with Poison,” he concluded his post. “I respect you letting me take a minute to clear any confusion. Stay tuned and have an superior day!”