Poison Biography

Poison is an American glam metal band which originally achieved popular success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Formed by a group of aspiring rock musicians from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Poison moved to Los Angeles, California in search of fame. The band's roots, and those of glam metal in general, lay in America's east, and in particular, the sounds and images associated with the New York Dolls, KISS, Boston, Aerosmith, and Cheap Trick. These influences were transplanted to California in the late 1970s, mutated following the release of Van Halen's debut in 1978, and ultimately ignited into a colourful music scene on L.A.'s Sunset Strip in the 1980s. The band's later work would also exhibit a blues influence.

Poison's music was characterised by relatively simple, catchy melodies and guitar riffs. The band's tunes often seemed less important than their garish costumes, overblown hair, feminizing make-up, and frenetic stageshow, all delivered via the metal-heavy MTV of the mid to late 1980s. To many, Poison was the epitome of the Sunset Strip glam metal scene. For fans, this meant a straightforward celebration of hedonism; for critics, this meant music which was uninspired and unimportant.

Poison began life in 1984 under the name Paris and consisted of vocalist Bret Michaels, bassist Bobby Dall, guitarist Matt Smith and drummer Rikki Rockett. Moving to Los Angeles in 1985, they started playing the club circuit. The name Poison was picked by the band after the t-shirt worn by drummer Mick Shrimpton in the heavy metal mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap", as the band knew that they fit the stereotypes of rock stars in the movie.

Poison's second album, Open Up And Say...Ahh!, which was released on May 21, 1988 (see 1988 in music) would ultimately go on to sell 8 million copies worldwide. The record included the band's biggest hit, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," along with other top 10 hits, "Nothin' But A Good Time" and the Loggins and Messina cover "Your Mama Don't Dance." By the time the band toured with David Lee Roth (in 1988 on the Skyscraper Tour), it was apparent that they had become a major live act.

Poison's third album, Flesh & Blood, released on June 21, 1990 was also highly successful. The record went multi-platinum, spawning three gold singles: "Unskinny Bop," "Ride the Wind," and the ballad "Something To Believe In." Flesh & Blood reached #2 on the American charts, providing the impetus for a further World Tour.

Poison recorded a number of performances during its 1990/1991 Flesh & Blood tour which were released in November 1991 as their fourth album, Swallow This Live.

Despite Poison's success, DeVille's cocaine and alcohol addictions had begun to cause strife in the band. Conflict between Michaels and DeVille culminated in a fistfight backstage at the MTV Music Awards in 1991, provoked by Deville's inept live performance. The band played Unskinny Bop during a commercial break. DeVille commenced playing with his guitar unplugged and later began playing the wrong song. Deville was fired and replaced by Pennsylvanian guitar virtuoso Richie Kotzen.

Poison's fifth album, Native Tongue was released on February 8 , 1993. The record was strongly influenced by Kotzen's fresh songwriting contributions and guitar performance. It marked a change for the band as they abandoned their anthemic party tunes to focus on more serious subjects. Containing the single "Stand," the album received generally positive reviews, but sales were comparatively sluggish, selling only 1 million copies worldwide. The band toured in support of the album, but tensions mounted between Kotzen and the rest of Poison. Kotzen's future in the band was doomed when it was discovered that he had become romantically involved with Rockett's fiancée Deanna Eve. Kotzen was promptly fired, and replaced by Blues Saraceno.

Poison is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a summer "20 Years Of Rock" tour, with fellow rockers Cinderella opening. The tour has swiftly become one of the most successful tours of 2006, averaging about 20,000 people in attendance per night. The band recently released an anniversary best-of album The Best Of Poison: 20 Years Of Rock, in April of 2006. The record also features a new track, a cover of Grand Funk's "We're An American Band", produced by Don Was. This marked Poison's return to the Billboard top 20 charts for the first time since 1993. The compilation debuted at #17. [2] "Your Mama Don't Dance" was played in the movie "RV" in 2006.

On August 1, Captiol Records released remastered versions of the first three Poison albums: Look What the Cat Dragged In, Open Up and Say...Ahh! and Flesh and Blood, in honor of Poison's 20th anniversary. All three have been remastered and have bonus tracks added.

Look What the Cat Dragged In with the extra track Don't Mess With Jim, Open Up and Say...Ahh! has two extra tracks Livin' For The Minute & an Interview with the band, Flesh and Blood has two extra tracks the first is an Alternate Version of Something to Believe in and the second being a Musical version of God Save The Queen.

During a show in Atlanta on August 25, 2006 band members Bret Michaels and Bobby Dall had to be separated by members of road crew after the two nearly came to blows.

Bret apologized and stated, "You may have just seen the last concert by Poison in its current formation."

The altercation happened before the band's set ended, "Talk Dirty To Me". After some tense moments and Michaels' apology to the crowd including his explanation that "like brothers, sometimes you have to air things out", the band did finish the set. Dall left the stage immediately.

The Band are back together now and are currently taking time out While Bret continues with his Solo Tour.

It was announced in October of 2006 that guitarist C.C. DeVille and his long time girlfriend Shannon Malone are expecting a baby due in March 2007.