Poison drummer Rikki Rockett offered fans a new update on the band’s long-debated touring plans, saying he’s been in direct contact with frontman Bret Michaels and that the group still plans to do something in 2027 — even though a 2026 anniversary tour has effectively slipped off the calendar.
The comments came during an appearance on the January 29 episode of SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”, where Rockett addressed recent confusion and rumors around the status of what was originally intended to be Poison’s 40th anniversary tour for their classic debut album Look What the Cat Dragged In.
Earlier this month, Rockett sparked headlines by suggesting the proposed 2026 tour had fallen apart over financial disagreements — specifically claiming that Michaels had wanted to earn six times more than the rest of the band, a figure that became a viral talking point.
Michaels publicly denied that any such demand was ever formally put on the table, telling a radio show that negotiations never even got that far and that logistical timing issues were the real reason plans shifted. He also emphasized that the four founding members remain friends and encouraged direct communication instead of negotiating through the media.
On Trunk Nation, Rockett stood by his intention to share what he believed to be the truth from his perspective — but also reiterated that there are no hard feelings and no lingering personal conflicts.
“You know what?! Bret and I had texted this morning… All the information I had was the truth, from my standpoint,” he said, adding that social-media speculation about health problems, sobriety or internal band issues was not accurate.
Rockett confirmed that both he and Michaels intend to mark the milestone with fans in 2027, calling it a celebration of more than 40 years together.
“I do think that we’re gonna do something in ‘27,” Rockett said, noting that the energy remains high and that the band wants to commemorate more than four decades with Poison’s original lineup.
Michaels himself has previously described the idea as a “40 Plus One” tour, acknowledging the shifted timeline but affirming that the anniversary concept hasn’t been abandoned.
In his own words, referring to the postponement and forward look:
“We’re just gonna call it hopefully ‘40 Plus One’. … We’re already booking stuff solo into ’27, so this just got backed up.”
Rockett stressed that everyone in Poison wants to play again, dismissing rumors that guitarist C.C. DeVille’s sobriety, bassist Bobby Dall’s activities, or his own health were obstacles — none of which he says are true.
He also made clear that talk of replacing Michaels as singer or actively seeking another frontman isn’t on the table; the focus remains on making the original lineup tour work.
The band last toured extensively in 2022 on The Stadium Tour alongside Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard. Since then, Poison’s anniversary plans have been in flux, fueled by differing perspectives on scheduling, commitment, and personal projects — particularly Michaels’s active solo touring schedule.
Rockett’s latest comments, paired with Michaels’s own remarks, illustrate a picture of a band still wanting to reunite on the road, but needing time to align logistics and priorities before making it official for 2027.
