In a new interview with Sammy Hagar for a special on AXS TV, Bret Michaels revealed his pick for the best rock band ever.
“If I had to answer the greatest, straight up, in-your-face rock ‘n’ roll band… it’s AC/DC,” the Poison frontman said. Hagar agreed and said that even Jimi Hendrix wouldn’t want to perform after AC/DC.
This isn’t a big surprise for Michaels’ fans. He’s often praised AC/DC and called them one of his favorite bands, especially when mourning guitarist Malcolm Young’s death in 2017.
“My thoughts, prayers & deepest condolences go out to the family, friends & everyone within the AC/DC camp on the loss of the truly great Malcolm Young. AC/DC has always been one of my favorite bands & Malcolm will certainly be missed,” the singer wrote at the time.
In 2022, Bret also said he didn’t feel rushed to make a new Poison album, but he wanted to record a new song— a modern version of AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long.’
The rocker told the Arizona Republic, “I know I could get outvoted on this, but I said, ‘Guys, I beg you. Let’s just write a straight-up rock song.’ A ‘Nothin’ But a Good Time’, but modern. ‘Talk Dirty to Me.’ A great guitar riff, good lyrics, a hook in the chorus. Just something that’s fun for us to write. And who knows? Maybe it could be a modern-day [AC/DC] ‘You Shook Me All Night Long.’”
Poison plans to hit the road in 2026 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Look What The Cat Dragged In,’ released in 1986. Drummer Rikki Rockett recently said, “It’s not figured out. We have agreed to do a minimum of 40 dates and maybe more. So whatever it works out to be, but it’s for sure gonna be that many, at least. And I don’t know.”
He added, “I mean, if there’s somebody that we can package with that makes sense, great. If there isn’t, then we’ll headline. Whatever makes sense. I don’t know who’s going out yet that year, in ’26, but if it makes sense to package with somebody, we’ll do it.”
In September, Michaels announced on social media that he plans to do just a few shows in 2025. He wants to focus on his health because he has diabetes and needs rest.