Poison

The glam metal group Poison was one of the most popular lite metal bands of the late '80s, selling millions of albums and dominating MTV before the rise of grunge in the early '90s. Formed in Harrisburg, Pa., in 1983 by vocalist Bret Michaels, guitarist C.C. Deville, bassist Bobby Dall and drummer Rikki Rockett, Poison quickly relocated to Los Angeles to increase their chances of being discovered.

That journey paid off when the band signed to Capitol in the mid-1980s and their 1986 debut, Look What the Cat Dragged In, sold millions of copies on the strength of radio singles like "Talk Dirty to Me." With an androgynous image and misogynist lyrics, the group rocketed to stardom with 1988's Open Up and Say...Ahh!, whose singles "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," "Nothin' But a Good Time" and "Your Mama Don't Dance" all reached the Top 10. In the late '80s Poison changed its image in an attempt to gain critical credibility, eschewing their teased hair and makeup and singing Springsteenian working class ballads on 1990's Flesh and Blood.

Though the group remained popular, guitarist Deville quit Poison in 1992 and was replaced by Richie Kosten for 1993's Native Tongue.An album recorded in 1996 was never released (Capitol opted to release the compilation Greatest Hits, 1986 - 1996 instead), and the group went on an extended hiatus.

In 1999, the group came back together for a concert which led to a full - fledged reunion, with Kosten departing and Deville returning to the guitar spot. The unreleased 1996 album finally saw the light of day in 2000 as Crack A Smile...And More.

But Poison remained true to its stormy past. The same year, a very public spat erupted when Deville insisted that his new band, the pop - metal trio Samantha 7, be allowed to open for Poison on an upcoming summer tour. This resulted in Deville's departure from the band once again, though the rift was brief and he was back in the band a few weeks later.

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