Rikki Rockett, drummer of the rock band POISON, explained in an interview why the band's 40th-anniversary tour for their debut album "Look What the Cat Dragged In" will not take place as planned. He attributed the cancellation to financial disagreements, stating that singer Bret Michaels sought to earn six times more than the other members, which made the tour economically unfeasible.
Rockett emphasized he shared the details to counter rumors about the band's inactivity, clarifying that no personal issues or lack of desire to perform were responsible. He conveyed hope for a possible future anniversary tour beyond 2026, but noted the time to properly plan a tour this year had passed.
Regarding the idea of replacing Bret Michaels if negotiations fail, Rockett said that no efforts are currently being made to find a new lead vocalist and that such a move would be a last resort. He acknowledged the importance of Michaels as POISON's frontman and expressed no ill will towards him despite the disagreement.
Rockett also recounted the band's recent history, including their 2022 stadium tour with Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard. He described communication among band members as cordial but limited and explained that the scale and complexity of planning a large tour require more than informal discussions.
In response to Rockett's comments, Bret Michaels posted a message expressing his love for the band and fans and optimism about a future reunion without addressing the financial dispute directly. Rockett continues to perform with his other band, The Rockett Mafia, and remains open to future touring possibilities with POISON under agreeable terms.