Singer Bret Michaels rose to fame and fortune as the frontman for ‘80s rock legends Poison before later parlaying that into reality TV fame. While Poison still occasionally tours, Michaels spends far more time with his own Bret Michaels Band essentially playing most of the Poison catalog in addition to a variety of classic rock covers — often with the artists who first performed/wrote them.
Michaels’ guitarist Pete Evick has long been the singer’s music director/manager, and he was recently asked by The Hair Metal Guru if he ever speaks to Poison drummer Rikki Rockett. Rockett has been vocal in the past about wanting Poison to tour more, but for whatever reason Michaels has been resistant.
Evick told The Hair Metal Guru: “I keep quiet about a lot of things, but most people know I do not. I don’t speak to Rikki. I have spoken to Rikki. Me and Rikki, our birthdays are only two days apart. If you believe in astrology and know anything about a Leo, we are poster children of Leos. There is incredible insecurity and incredible arrogance in the soul of a Leo. I’m the other woman. I’m Bret’s best friend in (Bret’s solo) band. He’s Bret’s best friend in Poison, even though him and C.C. DeVille get along notoriously better, because these days Rikki is the one out of the three of them that still cares the most about Poison, still carries the flag. It’s his pride and joy. He doesn’t want anything else.”
The last time Poison toured was on the Stadium Tour with Def Leppard and Motley Crue three years ago. “Rikki loves Poison and wants to do it,” Evick said. “And I respect that and I respect everything Rikki is. He’s one fourth of one of my favorite bands of all time. A lot of times I have to go to the Poison rehearsals and take care of things. And the last time I actually saw Rikki face to face, I said, ‘Rikki, I know you don’t want me here, buddy. I’m sorry that I’m in your world.’ And he gave me a hug and he said, ‘Life’s too short.’ So, I think that any of the problems that maybe me and Rikki had — and we had some problems — I think that that’s over.”
Evick went on to say that there’s a misconception that Michaels would rather tour solo due to getting more money than if he were to play with Poison. “The truth of the matter is he doesn’t split that money four ways with Poison,” Evick said. “He does get the lion’s share of that because he’s worked that out in his deal because he’s the one carrying the torch. Does the solo band tarnish Poison’s worth because we’re oversaturating the market? I see that, but I also know there’s a whole lot of people that only go to see Poison that still don’t come to see the solo band.”
Rockett took to social media to respond to the interview saying: “If Pete Evick thinks that the Bret Michaels Band is carrying the Poison torch then Pete must be a Bic lighter! Keep practicing CC’s solos, Pete! When Poison tours we do 40 plus shows in a year. BMB does not do that… BMB is out there because Bret doesn’t want to tour with Poison. Not the other way around. Pete needs to stay out of Poison business. That’s all.”
Evick later responded: “Oh Rikki Rockett I love you buddy, I truly do. I’m going to say this one time to you and all your fans and all the Poison Fans. First is… I’m not going to fight with Rikki, I’m not going to say anything negative. He is 100% correct in his statement. CC is a hero and an influence of mine, He has also been a good friend to me on more than one occasion. EVEN if I played those solos NOTE FOR NOTE, they are his. I have never written a solo that millions of people can hum note for note, he has written several. I also never in a million years said ‘BMB’ was carrying the torch. I DID NOT SAY THAT. I said Bret was, and by that I mean his TV shows, his appearances at NFL games, his interviews. Just like Dee Snider, Rob Thomas, Mark McGrath and so many others. Moving on, I’m curious if Rikki or anyone listened to the interview? If you did you know I spent the entire time praising Poison and Rikki.”
Rockett responded again saying: “I have never taken anything away from Bret, but playing our songs with other guys does not carry the torch … I’m ready for a Poison tour because that is where my soul is and always will be.”
The full back-and-forth was first reported and (thankfully) transcribed by Blabbermouth, and can be read here. Evick’s interview with The Hair Metal Guru can also be seen below.
