As the frontman for the hair metal band Poison, Bret Michaels has had some wild times. Formed in 1983 Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the lineup of Michaels, drummer Rikki Rockett, bassist Bobby Dall, and lead guitarist C.C. DeVille saw the most success. But before they sold 40 million records across the world, Poison was just a few cash-strapped guys trying to make it in Hollywood. During a recent appearance on Steve-O’s Wild Ride podcast, Michaels recalled the specific rejection that fueled the band’s success.
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How Sharon Osbourne’s Dad Inspired Poison
In 1986, Bret Michaels and his Poison bandmates released their debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In. Peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, the record spawned three hits, including “Talk Dirty to Me.”
Before that, however, the band was grinding daily to secure a record deal. So when Don Arden, the record executive father of Sharon Osbourne, came to watch them play, they were determined to impress him.
“He came down, and we had no money. So we live behind a back half of a dry cleaner,” recalled Michaels, 62. “And we think because he’s a big record label, they’re going to want drinks set up.”
With that, Poison procured the “s—-iest foldout table you ever seen” and set out bologna sandwiches for their guest. Unfortunately, Arden was less than impressed—both by their hospitality and their music.
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Bret Michaels Was “F—ing Done” After This Poison Rejection
According to Bret Michaels, Poison was halfway through “Talk Dirty To Me” when the record label owner got up to leave.
“He goes, ‘I’m sorry, I just don’t hear the nucleus of any hit,” said the vocalist. “I go, ‘Well, s—, we haven’t even got to the chorus yet. Hold on.’”
But Arden left anyway. Michaels recalls telling his bandmates, “Guys, if I may, I am f—ing done.”
“I said, ‘Let’s go put our money together, that we can save up.’ And it was like five, six grand,” recalled the “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” singer.
That was enough for Poison to record their debut album, striking a distribution deal with Enigma Records that allowed them to maintain ownership of their masters and publishing.
“The best thing that happened to Poison was no one wanted it,” Micahels declared.
Featured image by Bobby Bank/Getty Images
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