OverviewPoison is a Hard Rock band from Los Angeles. Formed by drummer Rikki Rockett and singer Bret Michaels, they started out in Pennsylvania in the early 80s. Their first band together was called the Spectres. They left the Spectres and started Paris with bassist Bobby Dall. They then moved to Los Angeles, where they parted ways with guitarist Matt Smith. Many people tried out for Poison’s vacant lead guitar spot, including soon-to-be Guns N’ Roses lead axeman Slash. They told Slash he had talent but didn’t fit the image.
After hiring C.C. DeVille, they changed their name to the more edgy ‘’Poison’’ and started working their way up the L.A. Club scene. In 1986 they recorded their debut album ‘’Look What the Cat Dragged In’‘, which was made succesful by their massive hit ‘’Talk Dirty To Me’‘, whose video was played on a constant rotation on MTV. Poison’s next album, the fan favorite ‘’Open Up and Say… AH!’’ was carried on the shoulders of the chart topping ballad ‘’Every Rose Has Its Thorn’‘, written by Bret Michaels about his girlfriend cheating on him with Quiet Riot frontman Kevin DuBrow. Poison’s third album, Flesh & Blood, showed Poison’s more mainstream side. After Flesh & Blood came out, Poison started going downhill. C.C. DeVille was in a constant drug binge and couldn’t be found. When Poison was slated to play Unskinny Bop for the MTV Movie Awards, C.C. forgot what song to play and ripped into Talk Dirty To Me on live television. He was fired on the spot.
Guitarist Ritchie Kotzen was brought in to record the album Native Tongue, which showed a new creative turn for the band. Ritchie was a good guitarist, but was thrown out of the band for sleeping with drummer Rikki Rocketts fiance. Poison then brought in Blues Saraceno as guitarist, with whom they recorded ‘’Crack a Smile… and More’‘, one of Poison’s lost gems.
After years of disconnection, C.C. DeVille came back to Poison for a full reunion. They have since toured with many acts, including KISS. They are currently planning a summer tour with fellow hair metal elite Cinderella and have just released a new 20th anniversary greatest hits cd.
Members
Current members
* Bret Michaels – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica (1983–present) lead guitar, backing vocals (1984)
* C.C. DeVille – lead guitar, backing vocals, occasional lead vocals (1985–1991, 1999–present)
* Bobby Dall – bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals (1984–present)
* Rikki Rockett – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1984–present)
Former members
* Blues Saraceno – lead guitar, backing vocals (1994–2000)
* Richie Kotzen – lead guitar, mandolin, Dobro, keyboards, backing vocals (1991–1994)
* Steve Silva – lead guitar, backing vocals (1985)
* Matt Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals (1984–1985)
* Leighton Zema – lead vocals (1984)
* Jonathan Combs – synthesizer, gong, backing vocals (1984)
* Patrick Bircher – bass, backing vocals (1984)
* Brian Bircher – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1984)
* James "Weezy" Peters – lead guitar, backing vocals (1983–1984)
* Timothy "Tim" Grace – bass, backing vocals (1983–1984)
* David Besselman – lead guitar, backing vocals (1983)
* Marlin Yohn – lead guitar, backing vocals (1983)
* James Carr – backing vocals, backup dancer (1987–1999)
Discography
* Look What the Cat Dragged In (1986)
* Open Up and Say...Ahh! (1988)
* Flesh and Blood (1990)
* Swallow This Live (1991)
* Native Tongue (1993)
* Crack a Smile...and More! (2000)
* Power to the People (2001)
* Hollyweird (2002)
* Poison'd! (2007)
* Live, Raw & Uncut (2008)
Download
Something To Believe In Every Rose Has it's Thorn
