It’s hard to imagine, but rock stars act like everybody else. What does legend Bret Michaels love to do? Get in his car, turn on music and drive down the Keys – hello brother. It’s one of his favorite road trips because he likes “the vibe down here.” An excellent reminder to be careful when honking at someone; it could be the former frontman for the mega band Poison and solo sensation rocker, movie and TV star. Playing Sunday, March 17 at The Key West Theater, two days after his birthday and on St. Patrick’s Day, Michaels promises the best party in town.
“It’s beyond a show but my life, a celebration,” said Michaels. “I cherry pick songs for a great time.” Yep, all the hits, including the ones from Poison like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and “Talk Dirty to Me,” will be there along with his solo hits, “All I Ever Needed” and “Go That Far.” He called the timing a win-win because like the Keys, Michaels tries “to take it to a whole new level.”
He is endearing, soft-spoken, and sincerely full of gratitude for his career, hairstyles and all. “Creating music has always been what I love to do. I’m gonna say the ’80s were a great party, but we have been playing since then, and now I have three generations of fans,” said Michaels, who jokes about being called a hair band. “Hey, I’m proud of where I’ve come from; I’ve been called worse.” Like Poison’s greatest hit says, it’s “Nothin’ But a Good Time” for Michaels.
This concert coincides with launching his 2019 “Unbroken” tour, mixing philanthropy and music. “Unbroken” is his new single, which he co-wrote and recorded with his youngest daughter, Jorja Bleu, 13. The #HotRocks Unbroken Challenge offers the chance for fans to win VIP prizes and donations to charities of their choice when they post their dance moves on Instagram.
“I have been facing adversity since I was 6 years old, “ said Michaels “and I am still on the good side of the dirt.”
He has very publicly suffered many medical miracles. Due to his diabetes, diagnosed at 6, his blood sugar has caught him off guard on stage more than once. Then Michaels miraculously walked away from crashing his Ferrari during the height of Poison and rock star partying. At the 2006 Tony awards, a stage prop fell on him and later, in 2010, he recovered after suffering from a massive brain hemorrhage. However, the upside is that Michaels uses his experience to give back.
“Having the tenacity to stay with it and get it done, I have appreciation and gratefulness to be here still. It’s a party because I’m going to pay it forward.” Michaels’ Life Rocks Foundation donates to many charities and sends children with Type 1 diabetes to camp each summer.He says giving back is at the heart of everything. Should be a helluva show.
