Bret Michaels’ NFL Success… Is This Bad News for Poison?

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:00]Poison singer Brett Michaels took the national stage in his home state as Pittsburgh hosted the NFL draft where he performed two songs in front of thousands of people live and probably millions of people on TV. So, how was the performance and what does Brett's continued solo success mean for the future of Poison? Colonel Patrick and I are going to break it all down for you right after this.

[00:00:29]metal guru from war to crew. The hair metal guru. Never forget >> the hair metal guru. My name is Anthony.

[00:00:41]They call me the guru. And hey, before we get into talking about Brett Michaels at the NFL draft, hey, I would love it if you would like, subscribe, what the hell? Ring that notification bell. And if you're on your phone, please hype the video. And with that, Patrick, welcome back to the show.

[00:00:56]>> Hey, thanks for having me. One of my favorite topics.

[00:00:59]>> Brett Michaels.

[00:01:00]>> Oh, Brett Michaels. The whole Poison Saga, all of it. I mean, it's one of my favorite bands from from my life. So, >> absolutely. One of the first bands that I truly fell in love with. So, uh Brett gets the invite. He's a big He's from Pennsylvania. He's a huge Steelers fan.

[00:01:21]Gets to perform at the at the NFL draft.

[00:01:24]And I'll just say this, like what a what a great opportunity. And it was pretty kick-ass to see somebody from our scene represent on the national stage.

[00:01:34]>> It's rare these days, isn't it? It used to be so so common when we were younger, but now it's like you stop everything you're doing when you see one of them on TV, >> right? Yeah. Yeah. like like in all the awards shows there always used to be this big, you know, the the the metal section would be one of the big, you know, and now it's like even if an award show does talk about rock, it's usually one of the things that they kind of broadcast on the slide down low. It's kind of ridiculous. Um there's, you know, a lot of one video I think we should talk about at some point is is is rock and roll dead? You hear a lot of people saying that. Not that I believe that, but anyway, it's just so out of the mainstream these days. But >> Brett gets to perform two songs with his solo band, obviously, Nothing But a Good Time and Sweet Home Pennsylvania. They changed it. Haha. So, what did you think of the And let's, you know, maybe we can start with nothing but a good time, but like like what did you think of Brett's performance?

[00:02:40]>> Everybody raise your hands. Everybody come on now.

[00:02:51]>> You know, I I have to keep in mind that I've said many times before on this channel, and I don't hide it, that the Brett Michaels solo experience is not something I enjoy. I think it lacks a lot of the passion that Poison has. I don't think the songs are performed as well and it's just this big production tailored to Brett, which he's entitled to do. But the the the thing you have to to kind of caveat with this is that the purpose of this performance was to get in front of millions of households and say, "Hey, I'm still here. Here's the songs you're familiar with." And let's be honest, 60% of the people that that watch that and enjoy that don't even realize that that's not poison. They they look at it and they go, "Oh my gosh, I love Unskinny Bop." Or, "Oh my gosh, I love Talk Dirty Me." And in this case, it was, "Oh my gosh, I love nothing but a good time. Look, the guy from Rocka loves jumping up and down on the TV."

[00:03:54]>> So for for that piece of it, it was fine. But for somebody like myself, and I think a lot of probably viewers on the channel, you watch it and it just feels like it lacks the energy and you know, Brett's jumping up and down in his Steelers hat and uh that's because I'm a Bengal fan, but he's jumping up and down in his Steelers hat and he's singing the songs and about the first, you know, three rows of people are going crazy. So it it it served its intended purpose. So good for Brett, you know, it's a it's a great opportunity for him and getting locked in with the NFL. Wow. That could lead to a lot of things.

[00:04:38]>> Yeah. Um I I I hear I hear what you're saying and and I think part of part of what detracts from it is you don't have a like like Pete Epic has been on the channel. He's been a good dude, but diehard Poison fans don't have a connection with all the people on that stage. And at that performance, there was a [ __ ] ton of people on stage. It was almost too bloated for me.

[00:05:08]>> Yeah.

[00:05:09]>> Now, now I'll say this, Brett always has a ton of energy. I mean, you know, I've never I've never seen Poison or Brett Michaels live and thought, you know what, he's kind of not into it. You know, the the guy is is jumping around smiling. He's like, I'm so fired up.

[00:05:32]He's out slapping five with people in the crowd. I I I love that. I love that.

[00:05:38]And I think you're right. the casual Poison fan. We were talking before this, you were like, you know, the person who just has the poison greatest hits, you know, probably doesn't know who's up on that stage. For us, it does matter because we fell in love with Poison in 1986 on Look What the Cat Dragged In.

[00:06:00]Speaking of that, the 40th anniversary of that is coming up here pretty quick.

[00:06:03]We fell in love with all four of them.

[00:06:06]Poison was one of the bands where it wasn't just you know oh you focused on the lead singer and you you know like like this might sound bad about Warren but you knew Warrant was Janie Lane >> right >> with with Poison you you knew of CC Bobby and Ricky they did a good job of promoting themselves. I was just watching a Poison show from 1987 and they each introduced themselves. It wasn't just Brett going, "Hey, there's CCAs. Hey, it's all about me." It was like they all got their turn to shine.

[00:06:46]So So now you look and you're like, "Okay, it's Brett. He's got the energy."

[00:06:52]You know, the the the band is is fine.

[00:06:55]Pete Ev's a good guitar player. I will say this about Nothing But a Good Time.

[00:06:59]I felt like the guitars were way tuned down in the mix. I was like, you know, it was I guess and it was all about the vocals. I I get that.

[00:07:07]>> But um it so so I do see the energy. But yes, do I look up do I watch that and go it's it's it's good, but I wish it was Poison. Sure. Now, I'll say this about the the rap part and Nothing But a Good Time. Like I get it. We're we're trying to be, you know, all inclusive and [ __ ] like that, but the rap part, whatever.

[00:07:33]So So let's So they only they get two songs. The next one is Leonard Skinner, Sweet Home Alabama, translated to Sweet Home Pennsylvania. Brett's known for always doing Sweet Home Alabama. Anyway, what did you think of that?

[00:07:54]Come on.

[00:07:59]Everybody's coming now.

[00:08:01]>> Oh, well, don't forget special guest star Whiz Khalifa.

[00:08:05]>> Whiz, >> you know, you got you got to make Brett seem relevant in some capacity, right?

[00:08:10]>> Yeah.

[00:08:11]>> So, uh I I I'll be honest, it was trash.

[00:08:15]It was absolute trash. It was schllock.

[00:08:18]Uh, I don't think Whiz Khalifa said anything other than, "Yeah, sweet home."

[00:08:26]I I think that's about the only um contribution he made to that song. Um, it was so broken down and long that it was it was hard to watch. But when you when you put into context that this is Brett Michaels and his his new style and his party grow and we're all here to have a good time and boy, I love everybody.

[00:08:48]Well, then it was exactly what you wanted it to be. And if you're the if you're the person who goes and sees the Party Grass stuff every summer, it's probably no different than what you see in every concert, just minus Whiz Khalifa and his um one-word contributions.

[00:09:04]What? What the What the hell was he doing on stage? Like, did that dude smile once? And I And I say that kind of jokingly. I did see him smile, but it was like when he was looking at the band, when he looked at the crowd, it was like, "Okay, I got to show that I'm really cool. That isn't a big deal." So, he did the, >> you know, here, let me kind of grab my balls here a couple times. Um, and and when he was singing, was there ever a microphone by his voice? Maybe, like you said, maybe for a word, >> right?

[00:09:41]>> So, >> well, and I think Brett Michaels had to kind of sit there and help him out, you know, with with what to do and go, "How about you?" Yeah.

[00:09:48]>> Yeah.

[00:09:49]>> Uh, so I'm going to say this, and it's probably going to come off bad because it's not politically correct, but I think it was a case of, "Hey, look, we're the NFL. We've got to, you know, we've got to be be inclusive to everybody. So, hey, yep. We're going to have this this rocker guy, but we're going to throw up some, you know, some uh uh other, you know, other people, other >> styles to make sure that that everyone feels like, hey, you're all invited to the party. So, >> everybody's part of the crew. Yeah. Um but but really what he did up there was was pointless. So you know >> Yeah.

[00:10:33]>> Well, and his you know this there was never really any other shots of his other bandmates or anything. It was all Brett Michaels. It was what he's been trying to accomplish for the last 15 years which is to take the songs that are popular that he was a part of and make them his own and make them this you know party experience. And you know, he's as much as I don't like it, it's been it'd be um it it wouldn't be accurate to deny that it's been incredibly successful for him. So, this is only going to help him.

[00:11:07]>> It's been incredibly successful. I remember I don't think I was there. I think I was in Iraq. It was like in 2003, uh somewhere around there. He played a small club in Fargo. It's called JT Cigaro.

[00:11:25]a small club. My ex-girlfriend was there. She said it was awesome. She got to meet him afterwards.

[00:11:34]And now he played Fargo this last summer and there was four or 5,000 people there. No, it was with Steven Piery, but still I think it's pretty common for him to probably, you know, the Rock of Love [ __ ] really blew him up nationally and and so he's built this huge name solo. So, that's a good transition because with him obviously making really good money, calling all the shots, doing these flyin dates. I'd like to go into like is is the poison reunion. Is that kind of something that do you think that even has a chance of happening with how successful he is solo? Well, recently he did an interview. Uh I'm trying to remember who it was with, but he he did an interview where he said, you know, I think we're going to we're going to get Poison back together and we're going to do the biggest, you know, party we ever did and it's either going to be, you know, 26 or 27. So now he's when he when he said, "Oh, well, I think it'll be the 40 plus one." Now he's pushing it possibly to 40 plus two. So, um, you know, I don't think I don't think he's he's too serious about it and and I don't I don't see why he would be. Um, you know, if he does do it with poison it, which I think he will at some point, uh, he's got them bent over barrel so bad because he can go out and play almost, you know, 10,000 seat arenas if, you know, with his party garage stuff cuz he is doing it. Um, so, you know, what's he going to play with poison, you know, and and is he going to make more money, the same money? I think you could make an argument either way. I I really don't think he would make dramatically more money in Poison, even though, you know, Ricky Rocket said in our interview on here that Brett was asking for six times what the other guys made. But look at this. Here here's here's here's why I tend to think that it might not happen.

[00:13:52]It it might, but I I I could really see a scenario where it doesn't happen.

[00:13:56]Look, he makes great money playing these oneoff fly in gigs. You know, he probably has I think he has a private plane, flies in, does the show, he makes all the decisions. He makes and I'm not saying I'm sure he pays his bandmates good, but still he's making a [ __ ] ton of money doing these solo shows. If he goes out with Poison, it's not flyyou g dates. It's a tour. He's gonna be on the road for two months instead of doing two shows on a weekend and going back home.

[00:14:36]He's on the road for two months.

[00:14:39]uh the he now even though I'm sure he probably has a lot of pull a lot of the power in poison he's still got to be somewhat considerate of the other three guys so maybe he's not making all of the decisions now and now you look at money and poison is obviously a huge name but us I mean whenever poison is tored it's never just poison he's they've got to bring out you know a Tesla, a a maybe a Rat or a Steven Piery and LA Guns.

[00:15:15]Usually they bring out two or three other decentsized 80s rock bands >> to ensure that they're going to do, you know, 10,000 seats or or whatever it may be. So those are a lot of expenses that are So I guess I'm ju I'm just saying I don't know even if he makes more with poison is it dramatically more? I don't think so. And I could see Brett going, why take the headache of having to be on the road for 2 or 3 months and be with these guys constantly when even if I make a little bit less, it's all about me. I make all the decisions. I'm home during the week doing what I want to do.

[00:16:05]I'm flying out by myself for some flyyou shows. I I could see it where he's going, I just don't think it's worth it.

[00:16:15]I I agree 100%. And I also think that the Poison fans have been conditioned to believe that if you're going to see anything Poison related, well, if Poison's not on the road, Brett Michaels is just as good. And and that's the the uh you know the casual Poison fan because let's be real at a even at the stadium shows that they did with Mley, how many of those fans that were there were the diehard Poison fans, right? So, you know, I the diehard Poison fans want that what they want, but the reality of the situation is there's probably more casual fans than dieh hard fans. And and I don't like saying this, but Ricky Rocket's been on the channel twice.

[00:17:03]>> He's been so like I want it for Ricky Rocket. So I love Brett Michaels. I saw him solo. He was really freaking good, >> but I really want the Poison reunion.

[00:17:17]>> I want that those That's the band I fell in love with when I was 15, 16, 17. I worshiped poison and and I I understand that Brett can make his own decisions.

[00:17:33]He can do what he wants. I I get that.

[00:17:35]But I hope and we've said this before that he remembers that the reason he is able to go out and do all this is only because those four got together in 1984 85 and and [ __ ] lit the world on fire with look what the cat dragged in open up and say ah and flesh and blood they were a massive band. That is why he can do all this solo stuff is because of those songs that those four guys created. So Brett, do your solo. Do it.

[00:18:11]Do your solo stuff. Give us a couple summers here and there. Maybe every summer or maybe every other summer. Suck it up. Make a little bit less money.

[00:18:23]Make your the brothers in your band happy even though you guys have disagreements. Uh, suck it up and and give the fans what they want. All right, that's Hey, really cool to see Brett on stage at the NFL draft. Um, we're just we're die hards and and we can't, you know, >> we love Brett Michaels, but damn it, the the four of those guys together is something special. So, uh, hey, go in the >> Let it be noted, too. Let it be noted, too, that hard work pays off. And there's no denying that Brett Michaels has worked on that solo career for the better part of 20 years. And look how he was playing that little club that you talked about to where he's playing now.

[00:19:02]So hard work does pay off and good for him.

[00:19:04]>> But but he he again he he can do that and and and throw his brothers a bone.

[00:19:11]He can have both he can have his cake and eat it too. You know what I'm saying?

[00:19:14]>> Exactly.

[00:19:15]>> All right. Hey, go in the comments. Let us know what you thought of the Brett Michaels band performing at at the NFL draft. Let us know if you think his success as a solo artist um impacts the future of Poison. And hey, whatever else you can do to support the channel.

[00:19:31]Truly, we appreciate you being here.

[00:19:32]Until the next video comes out, my name is Anthony. They call me the guru. Take care of yourselves.