In 1984, bandmates Bret Michaels, Rikki Rocket, Bobby Dall, and Matt Smith changed their name to Poison and left their Pennsylvania hometown behind for the bright lights of Los Angeles. Four years later, the glam metal legends found mainstream success with the heartbreak ballad “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” Now 62, Michaels has hardly slowed down, embarking on a three-year solo tour in 2023. However, the “Talk Dirty To Me” crooner is now taking a step back after a recent health scare.
Videos by American Songwriter
Bret Michaels Has Battled Diabetes for Most of His Life
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 6 years old, Bret Michaels cycled in and out of the hospital as a child. While it didn’t prevent him from selling more than 65 million records worldwide with Poison, it seems the glam rocker’s illness is catching up to him of late.
In a June 28 post to social media, Michaels revealed that his blood sugar plummeted to dangerous levels after he tried to power through a meet-and-greet ahead of a show at Pittsburgh’s Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
“[Although] I knew my blood sugar was low, I was excited to meet everyone and not let anyone down,” Michaels wrote. “Unfortunately, the highs and lows of living with diabetes since I’ve been six years old occasionally just kick my butt.”
Wanting to prove something to both himself and the fans, the “Ride the Wind” singer even added a couple extra songs to his June 27 set. “At the end, my blood sugar walking off the stage was a real-life 39,” he wrote.
Michaels Postpones Show at Washington Casino
As a result of this recent health scare, Bret Michaels is reevaluating his tour schedule. The legendary rocker has already postponed a show set for Saturday, July 5, at Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino in Airway Heights, Washington.
On social media, Michaels indicated that more cancelations may follow. “[Please] forgive me if I have to move some of the shows around until I get this under control,” he wrote. “The schedule this summer is completely insane – all over the place and some of these will have to be rearranged.”
He concluded, “Again, my apologies. I love the shows the fans and the music.”
Featured image by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.