The much-anticipated 40th anniversary tour of veteran rock band Poison has been officially cancelled. The tour, which was supposed to celebrate four decades of the band's music, fell apart due to financial disagreements among members.
Pay Dispute Derails Tour Plans
According to recent reports, the tour collapsed when singer Bret Michaels made payment demands that proved impossible to meet. Page Six confirmed that the band will not be touring for their 40th anniversary celebration.
When discussions turned to tour fees, Michaels reportedly asked for compensation that dwarfed what his bandmates would receive. Sources indicate he wanted to be paid hundreds of times more than the other members combined.
Band Members Express Disappointment
Drummer Rikki Rockett revealed details about the failed negotiations. "We had a great offer on the table," Rockett explained. "But we had to walk away. The deal simply wouldn't work."
Rockett confirmed that three members—C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall, and himself—were fully committed to the tour. They believed Michaels shared their enthusiasm until payment discussions began.
"Bret wanted the lion's share of the money," Rockett continued. "He demanded so much that it made the tour impossible to organize. The ratio was completely unworkable—something like six dollars for him to every one dollar for us."
The drummer expressed genuine disappointment about the cancellation. He emphasized that his motivation for touring extended beyond financial gain. "I perform because I love being a musician," Rockett said. "I wanted to do this tour for our fans and for the music itself."
Fans Left Waiting
Although the tour was never formally announced, fans had been expecting it since 2024. Michaels himself fueled expectations with social media posts suggesting 2026 would be "a great year" for Poison's anniversary celebrations.
By late 2025, however, signs of trouble emerged. Rockett hinted during interviews that tour discussions were happening but weren't producing results.
During an appearance on 'The Hair Metal Guru' podcast in 2025, Rockett admitted the anniversary tour faced significant challenges. "It's really, really hard to make this thing happen," he told listeners. "It's not impossible, but it's super, super difficult."
All band members had been in contact with tour organizers, but the financial impasse proved insurmountable. The cancellation leaves Poison fans without the anniversary celebration many had hoped to experience.
The band, known for hits like "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and "Talk Dirty to Me," formed in 1983. Their 40th anniversary would have marked a significant milestone in their career, making the tour cancellation particularly disappointing for longtime supporters.
