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While the boys from Poison still do shows together playing all of their big hits, rockin’ arenas and small venues all over the world, they all have their own personal stories as to what they are doing outside of the band. Bret Michaels: While he hasn’t come up with any material since 2013, Bret continues to perform solo at many venues. He also is an advocate for Juvenile Diabetes and the Diabetes Association. He has been a diabetic since he was young kid. Bret also has 2 daughters, Raine and Jorja who keep him busy when he isn’t out and on the road. He has a line of pet clothing and accessories named “Pets Rock” and is exclusively sold at PetSmart. He’s also heavily involved with “Operation Homefront” which is a charity that provides emergency financial and other assistance to families of service members and wounded warriors. Bobby Dall: Bobby has never done a “side” project like Rikki, C.C. & Bret. He said he was lucky enough to be in a band that was successful the first try, but also stated that’s not saying he wouldn’t try it out if the opportunity arose. His life revolves around his children, Zach & Zoe and staying clean and sober, which in itself is a full time job. Rikki Rockett: Rikki has been REALLY busy outside of the band. He’s done solo work, partnered up with Brian Cosivera to build custom drum kits called ‘Chop Shop Custom Drums’. Rockett went on to start a side project with Tracii Guns & Eric Brittingham called “Devil City Angels”. Who wouldn't love a combination of L.A. Guns, Poison and Cinderella? The best of the glam and sleaze 80s! Rikki is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has 2 childen, Lucy & Jude, both names after The Beatle’s songs.In 2015, Rockett announced in December that he had been battling throat cancer. Extensive treatments were implemented and in June of 2016, he announced that he was cancer free. C.C. Deville: Deville has taken on a side project, with Samantha 7 which was a short lived band. Their song, “I Wanna be Famous” can be heard as the theme song for the reality show, ‘The Surreal Life: Fame Games’, of which he was also a cast member. C.C. also was the inspiration behind the rock n’ roll comic, “C.C. Banana”, a twisted homage to Deville. C.C. married his long time girlfriend Shannon Malone and shortly thereafter, they became parents to a son, Vallon Deville Johanneson. After the profound affect of becoming a parent, C.C. went on to find the Lord. ~Misti-Dawn  ‘Flesh and Blood’, Poison’s 3rd studio album, was released in 1990. This record generated many hit songs, 2 of which were top 10 singles with “Unskinny Bop” & “Something to Believe In”. 3 other songs were hit singles as well. “Ride the Wind”, Flesh and Blood (Sacrifice) and “Life Goes On”. This album went Triple Platinum in 1991. In the 90’s, after the bands release of their 1st live album, “Swallow This Live”, the band went through some line-up changes. C.C. DeVille's addiction caused a lot of problems in the band, and he was replaced with Richie Kotzen (The Winery Dogs). Despite the grunge movement that settled in and took over the rock scene in the early 90’s, Poison’s 4th studio album, “Native Tongue” was still able to hit gold status and their first compilation album, ‘Poison’s Greatest Hits, 1986-1996’ went Double Platinum. In 1993 Kotzen was replaced by Blues Saraceno who toured with Poison until the inevitable reunion with C.C. and the classic lineup.  In March of 2000, the band put our their 5th studio album, ‘Crack a Smile...and More’. This record actually started in 1994 but came to a precipitous halt when frontman, Bret Michaels lost control of his Ferrari. As a result of this accident, Michael’s suffered a broken nose, ribs, jaw and fingers along with 4 teeth. Shortly after recovery, they went back in the studio but management put the album “on hold” and opted to release the greatests hits album instead. ‘Hollyweird’ was their next album that came out in May of 2002. This record sold 11,000 copies in the first week. Their sound was much different from albums from their past. It had a more pop/punk rock feel. The coolest part of this album is the song “Home (C.C.’s story)” which Deville also lends his vocals.
In 2007, Poison put out their final studio album, ‘Poison’d’. The band asked on their official MySpace page for fans to pick their favorite songs. This record features 14 of the band’s & fan’s favorite rock classics. The first single dropped was The Romantics song, ‘What I Like About You’. Some of the other tracks they did were interesting to hear them sing like The Cars,“Just What I Needed”, The Who’s “Squeeze Box” & Alice Cooper’s “I Never Cry”. There is also an exclusive Walmart track featured and that’s Justin Timberlake’s, “Sexy Back” (which by the way is AWESOME!).
Poison has toured extensively all over the world. Their fans stretch from the US to Japan to Russia. They are one of those rare bands who have remained relevant for the span of their career. Not only do they have loyal fans who have been with them every step of the way, the are impacting the younger fans as well. That is a testament to all the hard, diligent work they’ve done through the years. Despite personal issues the band had suffered periodically, especially the medical issues with Michael’s, they still persevered and continue to tour to this day. This band will always be one of my favorites and I hope they’ll be around for a long time. ~Misti-Dawn
How did a band from Pennsylvania become one of the longest lasting and most well known 80s hair bands out there? In a story that is pure rags to riches and filled with a lot of ups and downs Poison somehow became the “last band standing” as it is 2018 and the guys are still touring together!!!!
In the beginning Poison was called Paris, and the guitarist was Matt Smith. The boys left Pennsylvania in 1983 to find their way in Los Angeles. The hair metal scene was hot on the sunset strip and they knew if they wanted to find success they had to go to the center of that flame. 
Success looked good from the outside. Fans swarmed to shows, watched their videos and bought albums left and right. From the inside things were beginning to fall apart.
We'll have more POISON throughout the week! ~Suz |
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