Poison's drummer Rikki Rockett has come forward to provide context for his recent statements about frontman Bret Michaels allegedly demanding a significantly higher salary for a potential reunion tour. The controversy emerged during early discussions for a 40th anniversary celebration of their breakthrough album "Look What The Cat Dragged In," which ultimately never materialized for 2026.
In a candid conversation with Eddie Trunk on SiriusXM, Rockett revealed that the band had been eyeing 2027 for their reunion, while addressing the financial speculation that had created friction among fans. The drummer explained that his previous comments about Michaels requesting six dollars for every one dollar offered to other members were not intended to spark drama, but rather to set the record straight about why the 2026 tour plans collapsed so early.
The Reason Behind the Revelation
Rockett emphasized that he wasn't the sole source of the information, but rather the one who happened to bring it to public attention. "By the way, none of this just came from me," he stated. "It's just I happened to be doing the interview. ... All the information I had was the truth, from my standpoint." This clarification was important to him, as he didn't want to be seen as an instigator of band discord.
The musician felt compelled to address the situation after seeing numerous unfounded rumors circulating on social media about his bandmates. Speculation ranged from health concerns to personal struggles, all of which Rockett wanted to definitively quash. The narrative that some members weren't interested in working while Michaels was eager to tour particularly bothered him.
Setting the Record Straight on Rumors
The drummer directly confronted the misinformation spreading across online platforms. "I was seeing stuff on social media – 'Oh, Rikki has cancer again,' or 'C.C.'s off the wagon again,' or all these different things. 'Those guys don't really wanna work and Bret wants to work.' And none of those things are true."
Rockett was firm: "We do wanna work; all of us do wanna work. C.C.'s sober. I don't have cancer." This statement served to protect guitarist C.C. DeVille and bassist Bobby Dall from unfair speculation about their commitment and personal wellbeing. The financial disclosure, while uncomfortable, provided a concrete explanation for the tour's delay that didn't blame any band member's personal situation.
The Financial Discussion That Never Fully Happened
While confirming Michaels was correct that 2026 plans never reached serious fee negotiations, Rockett maintained his information was accurate based on initial discussions. "Bret's right ... It never did get that far. It got kiboshed at the very beginning. But I just wanted to put a sensible reason to it so that everybody understands that it wasn't Bobby, C.C. or me, any of those rumors you heard – that's not why we weren't touring."
The drummer stood by his calculation: "I was told what Bret wanted, and when you did the math, that's how the math worked out." However, he was careful to frame this as information sharing rather than an attack, adding, "And I'm not trying to quarrel with Bret."
Reconciliation and Moving Forward
The situation appears resolved through direct communication. Rockett revealed he had spoken with Michaels that morning, describing the conversation as "absolutely positive." The two bandmates even shared a laugh about the media circus, suggesting any tension had been diffused.
"We had a good laugh. Of course we talked a little bit. I told him why that information went out, as I just told you...there's no second shoe to drop," Rockett explained. This indicates transparency and mutual understanding between the two musicians.
2027 Reunion Plans Confirmed
Looking ahead, Rockett confirmed Poison is actively planning to celebrate their 40-plus year legacy with all four original members. The delay until 2027 is simply a matter of logistics, not a lack of desire from any band member.
"That's one of the things, main things, that Bret and I talked about. ... We wanna celebrate 40-plus years with the four of us with fans," Rockett stated. He was clear about the timeline: "It's not gonna happen in '26… but it is gonna happen."
The drummer expressed confidence in the band's unity: "And there's no more of a headline to stick out there… I said what I said, Bret said what he said, but today we're talking about doing something in '27, and I know Bobby wants to do it; I talk to C.C. all the time. We're all on board."
Band Unity Prevails
The episode highlights the challenges long-standing bands face when negotiating reunion tours, especially regarding financial expectations after decades of individual careers developing differently. Rockett's decision to address the payment issue publicly, while risky, ultimately served to protect his bandmates from more damaging personal rumors.
The fact that all four members are committed to the 2027 celebration suggests the band's foundation remains strong despite the temporary public disagreement. Fans can look forward to seeing the iconic lineup together again, performing the songs that defined an era of rock music.
For now, the focus shifts from financial disputes to anniversary planning, with the band having moved past the controversy through open dialogue. The 40th anniversary of "Look What The Cat Dragged In" may be delayed, but the celebration will go on with all four original members united in their desire to reconnect with their audience and honor their shared musical legacy.