Bret Michaels of the 80’s hard rock band Poison had an interview where he discussed struggling with type 1 diabetes while being a touring musician. Blabbermouth shared his interview where Michaels shares about his childhood with the disease, stating “I’ve been a type 1 diabetic since I’ve been six years old…the best lesson I got from my parents…a couple of things that my dad said and my mom said. They were like, “look, this is the cards you were dealt. You don’t have to love it, but you have to embrace this. You’re either gonna be a victim or victorious; there’s no in between. You’re either gonna choose that you can do this…and we’re gonna find a way for you to play football, way for you to play baseball, ride dirt bikes, play music, travel…” And that mentality is what got me through the ‘80s and ‘90s and right now in music.”
Michaels also discussed how he manages his diabetes while touring with Poison, saying that he goes back stage to check his blood sugar when another bandmate, such as guitarist C.C DeVille is doing a solo. Technology has advanced so much that this is thankfully easier now, with Michaels stating that “…the constant glucose monitor, it’s in my arm, it’s injected into my arm. I can test it. I adjust my insulin intake. So I do about five injections a day of insulin, and I adjust for it and I find my groove.” Michaels also said that he exercises and built a mobile gym for him to use in his RV.
In June 2022, Michaels had to skip out on Poison’s Nashville show due to being in the hospital for an “unforeseen medical complication.” He then returned to the performances days later but canceled his fan meet-and-greet so he could rest up and save his energy for performing. Thankfully, Michaels is doing much better now, though has said in another interview that Poison will likely not tour again until 2025 while he works on his solo projects.
(Photo Credit: Boston Lynn Schulz)
Leave a Comment