Hair metal band Poison was set to perform at the 1991 MTV VMA’s (Video Music Awards). Even though alternative music was picking up steam, Poison was still riding high off the success of their latest release, 1990’s Flesh and Blood with the success of singles like “Unskinny Bop”.
A Disaster From Start to Finish
It wasn’t a surprise that the band was going to perform at the MTV VMA’s but their performance was a disaster from start to finish with warning signs that tensions were growing in the group.
Tensions Between Michaels and DeVille Are Growing
Having been touring and working together non-stop for six years straight, tensions between singer Bret Michaels and guitarist C.C. DeVille was growing. C.C. DeVille’s drug addiction at the time was making things worse and at one show in New Orleans a few months before their VMA performance, the pair would come to blows.
In June of 1991, Poison cancelled subsequent tour dates for their Flesh and Blood tour. Rumours started to swirl that Poison was done.
Fast forward to the MTV VMA’s, the band was set to perform “Unskinny Bop”. There were warning signs even ahead of the show that their performance was going to be a disaster.
“If you’re lazy and you’re sitting down, you better do it now.” – C.C. DeVille
In a clip of C.C. DeVille prior to Poison’s performance, it’s clear he’s pretty much out of his mind at this point. “Hey listen, this is your last chance for the viewers’ choice awards. So, if you haven’t voted. If you’re lazy and you’re sitting down, you better do it now. That’s it. You don’t get to vote.”
There are a couple of different stories of what actually happened as Poison took the stage. One story is that C.C. DeVille didn’t want to perform “Unskinny Bop” and instead he wanted to play “Talk Dirty To Me”.
Another story is that Brett Michaels asked the audience if they were ready to ‘talk dirty to me’ which confused C.C. DeVille. As the band transitioned from playing “Unskinny Bop” to “Talk Dirty To Me”, C.C’s guitar would get unplugged. Host Arsenio Hall tried to save the performance by reintroducing the band a second time.
After the performance, the group would get into a fistfight backstage and that would be the end of C.C. DeVille’s time in the band for almost half a decade.
C.C DeVille is Replaced by Richie Kotzen
Following the MTV VMA performance, C.C DeVille would be out of the band and replaced by Richie Kotzen. While DeVille would cling to his drug addiction and start a solo career.
The band released their follow-up record, Native Tongue, which represented a huge change in sound for the group. While it was praised by critics, the rise of alternative rock overshadowed the album and hurt sales.
The band’s new sound was more blues-oriented and their new songs seemed to shed their party image and take on a more serious subject matter.
While things seemed to be clicking for the group, new guitarist Richie Kotzen would have an affair with Rikki Rockett’s fiance at the time. This resulted in Kotzen’s time in the band being over.
Bret Michaels Suffers Injuries in Horrific Car Crash
Poison began recording its sixth studio album, Crack A Smile in early 1994 but the sessions came to an abrupt end in May of that year. Singer Bret Michaels was involved in a horrific car crash where he suffered several injuries including a broken nose, ribs, jaw, fingers and he lost four teeth.
By 1995, the band was ready to finish up work on the record but their label had a different idea. They wanted a greatest hits compilation instead. It was a smart move. The greatest hits compilation album was released in late 1996 and hit double-platinum status.
Michaels and DeVille Reunite
During the same year, C.C. DeVille was back in his band and was able to patch up his differences with singer Brett Michaels.
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