RIKKI ROCKETT Says POISON Have Received Offer To Return To The Stage In 2027

POISON drummer Rikki Rockett says the band has received an offer to return to the live stage in 2027, fueling hopes that the glam metal veterans could finally launch a long-rumored anniversary tour celebrating their classic debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In.

Speaking in a new interview with Rock 95.5 host Josh Klinger, Rockett explained that discussions about the band’s future are actively taking place behind the scenes after plans for a 40th-anniversary celebration in 2026 failed to materialize.

“I don’t wanna throw anybody under the bus — I’m not gonna do that — but I will say this: literally tomorrow we are having a conversation with management,” Rockett said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “We have been made an offer for 2027, and we’re going to talk as a band and with management. And I will know more tomorrow. It’s a shame we’re not doing the interview tomorrow. So hopefully everything will work out and we’ll be able to get on track and do something.”

The drummer also reflected on the band’s often chaotic history while joking about the possibility of a “41st anniversary” tour instead of a 40th-anniversary run.

“Maybe everything happens for a reason,” Rikki continued. “I mean, it’s just so funny that if POISON would do a 41st anniversary. I mean, we almost got killed by a disco ball. We almost got killed by pressing hands on a tour bus and falling out of the bus. I mean, we can be a comedy of errors at times, but usually those errors work out some way, somehow and turn into something cool. So I’m hoping this does.”

While fans wait to see whether POISON reunites for a full-scale tour, Rockett is preparing his own tribute to the band’s breakthrough album with his new project, THE ROCKETT MAFIA. The group will perform Look What the Cat Dragged In in its entirety to celebrate the LP’s 40th anniversary.

The band features Rockett alongside Brandon Gibbs, Stacey Blades and Tyson Leslie.

“POISON would probably never have done the whole record in its entirety,” Rockett said. “And we’re doing it from first note to last note — last scream, I said. So we’re doing the whole record, and then some other things we’re gonna throw in, too. A couple of B-sides that POISON never does, and couple of DEVIL CITY ANGELS songs, because Brandon and I were in DEVIL CITY ANGELS. So it’ll be a really, really cool night.”

He added that the project is intended to stand apart from anything POISON or frontman Bret Michaels would typically do live: “And I just thought, again, it’s something POISON wouldn’t do. I don’t wanna do something Bret would do [with his solo band]. I don’t wanna do something POISON would do at this point in time. I mean, back in the day, of course, we did the whole record, because those were the songs that we had.”

Michaels himself recently hinted that 2027 could become a major year for the band. During an interview with Q104.3, the singer reflected on POISON’s four-decade legacy while keeping the door open for a reunion tour.

“It was, I gotta tell you, 40 awesome years,” Michaels said. “And honest to God, I hope to God that… I love the Bret Michaels [solo] band. I’m grateful for C.C. [DeVille, POISON guitarist] and Rikki [Rockett, POISON drummer] and Bobby [Dall, POISON bassist] and POISON. And maybe in the next year or two, we put together the most incredible POISON tour as well.”

While Michaels is currently focused on his solo run, he has also recently pointed toward 2027 as a key year for the band. During an appearance on Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, he addressed ongoing speculation about a reunion tied to the anniversary of POISON’s debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In.

“We’re hoping for ’27, ’cause I know it’s a big question,” he said. “I think — I really strongly think ’27, without going into details yet, is going to be a good reunion year for POISON. I think it’s gonna be awesome.”

His comments arrive after public remarks from Rockett suggested that previously discussed touring plans for 2026 had fallen apart. Reports — first brought to light by Page Six — indicated that negotiations broke down over financial disagreements, with Michaels allegedly seeking a significantly larger share of the earnings.

Rockett later confirmed the situation, offering a candid look at what went wrong. “We had a great offer [for a tour this year], I thought. But we left the table,” Rikki said. “It didn’t work.”

According to the drummer, the rest of the band were aligned on the deal, but Michaels’ financial expectations ultimately created a roadblock.

“Really what it came to was C.C., Bobby and I were all in, and I thought Bret was, but he wanted the lion’s share of the money, to the point where it makes it not possible to even do it,” Rockett said. “It’s like $6 to every one of our dollars. You just can’t work that way.”

Rockett emphasized that while money isn’t his primary motivation, fairness still plays a crucial role. “I don’t do this just for the money,” Rikki continued. “I do have a love for this, absolutely. But at the same time, you don’t want to go out and work really hard just to make somebody else a bunch of money.”

Still, Michaels pushed back on any notion of lasting conflict, stressing that his bond with Rockett remains intact and downplaying the drama surrounding the situation.

“Most people like the drama. I’m an anti-drama guy. I love the guys. I think ’27 is gonna be great,” Bret offered. “Rikki is my brother. And you’re allowed to agree and you’re allowed to disagree, but we’re gonna go out there and make it an incredible [tour], honestly. If ’27 all works out here … we’ll jump on the phone, get the whole band on there, or at least me and Rikki just talking it up and be able to lay out some dates and bring a great reunion tour. But I’m grateful for POISON and I love my brothers and and sisters in the BMB [BRET MICHAELS BAND, Bret‘s solo group], and I don’t see any reason we can’t do both and make it great.”