Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels 2019 (cropped)

Bret Michaels (born March 15, 1963) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He gained fame as the lead vocalist of the glam metal band Poison who have sold over 45 million records worldwide and 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, including six Top 10 singles and a number-one single, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn."

Early Life

Bret Michaels was born Bret Michael Sychak on March 15, 1963, in Butler, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and attended Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School. Michaels has two sisters, Michelle and Nicole.

Career

Poison

In the early 1980s, Michaels formed the band Poison with drummer Rikki Rockett, bassist Bobby Dall, and guitarist Matt Smith. The band moved to Los Angeles to pursue a record deal. After Smith left the band, he was replaced by C.C. DeVille, and the band signed a record deal with Enigma Records. Their debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, was released in 1986 and included the hit singles "Talk Dirty to Me", "I Want Action", and "I Won't Forget You".

Solo Career

In addition to his work with Poison, Michaels has released several solo albums. His first solo album, A Letter from Death Row, was released in 1998 and served as the soundtrack to the film of the same name, which Michaels wrote, directed, and starred in. His other solo albums include Songs of Life (2003), Freedom of Sound (2005), and Custom Built (2010).

Television

Michaels has also appeared on several television shows. He starred in the VH1 reality show Rock of Love with Bret Michaels, which aired for three seasons from 2007 to 2009. He also won the third season of The Celebrity Apprentice in 2010.

Personal Life

Michaels has two daughters, Raine Elizabeth and Jorja Bleu, with his long-time partner Kristi Lynn Gibson. He has been open about his health struggles, including his diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at the age of six. In 2010, Michaels suffered a brain hemorrhage and underwent surgery to repair a hole in his heart.

Discography

With Poison

• Look What the Cat Dragged In (1986)
• Open Up and Say... Ahh! (1988)
• Flesh & Blood (1990)
• Native Tongue (1993)
• Crack a Smile... and More! (2000)
• Hollyweird (2002)
• Poison'd! (2007)

Solo

• A Letter from Death Row (1998)
• Songs of Life (2003)
• Freedom of Sound (2005)
• Custom Built (2010)
• Jammin' with Friends (2013)

Filmography

• A Letter from Death Row (1998)
• Rock of Love with Bret Michaels (2007-2009)
• The Celebrity Apprentice (2010)

See Also

• Poison (American band)
• Glam metal
• Rock of Love with Bret Michaels
• The Celebrity Apprentice