Poison’s Planned 40th Anniversary Tour Collapses Amid Financial Dispute

Poison’s long-anticipated 40th anniversary tour will not move forward, according to comments from drummer Rikki Rockett, who says the band was unable to reach an agreement over how touring revenue would be divided.

Rockett addressed the issue candidly in a recent interview with Page Six, confirming months of speculation that the anniversary run widely teased by the band and its fans had effectively stalled. While Rockett said an offer was on the table, and serious discussions took place, he indicated the negotiations ultimately broke down over compensation.

According to Rockett, he, guitarist C.C. DeVille, and bassist Bobby Dall were prepared to move forward with the tour, believing lead singer Bret Michaels was also on board. That perception changed, Rockett said, when it became clear that Michaels expected a significantly larger share of the tour’s earnings. “What it came down to was Bret wanting the lion’s share of the money, to the point where it makes it not possible to even do it,” Rockett said. “It’s like six dollars to every one of our dollars. You just can’t work that way.”

Rockett emphasized that his objection was not rooted solely in finances, but in principle. “I don’t do this just for the money,” he said. “I do have a love for this. But at the same time, you don’t want to work extremely hard just to make somebody else a bunch of money.”

Poison last toured together in 2022 as part of the massive Stadium Tour alongside Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Following the conclusion of that run, Michaels returned to performing with his solo band, whose setlists are largely built around Poison’s catalog.

In September 2024, Michaels appeared to reignite hopes for a reunion when he addressed fans directly in a public letter outlining a possible vision for the band’s future. He noted that 2026 would mark 40 years since the release of Poison’s debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, and suggested that a limited anniversary tour would be fitting.

“In my opinion, it would be the perfect 40th Anniversary Tour,” Michaels wrote at the time, proposing 40 dates to commemorate the milestone. However, his statement also included repeated qualifiers, stressing that no plans were confirmed and that significant coordination would be required to make such a tour viable.

Those caveats now appear prescient. While uneven revenue splits are not uncommon in touring, particularly when one member carries a higher public profile, Poison’s situation is somewhat unique. All four original members remain active, removing the typical justification for unequal compensation tied to legacy or lineup changes. That dynamic, while appealing to fans, can complicate negotiations behind the scenes.

Rockett has been the only member to speak publicly about the impasse. The rest of the band has remained silent, suggesting a preference to keep contractual matters private. It is also unclear how literal Rockett’s description of the proposed split was; without access to the actual terms, the precise numbers remain unknown.

What is clear is that the practical window for a 2026 summer tour is closing. The seasonal concert calendar is quickly filling, and no Poison dates have been announced. Michaels, meanwhile, has multiple solo shows already scheduled. Rockett has also confirmed plans to tour with his band Rockett Mafia, performing Look What the Cat Dragged In in full as part of that run.