Poison frontman Bret Michaels has confirmed he will take the next several months off from touring to recover from recent surgeries and manage his health. The pause follows a complicated obstructing kidney stone surgery in July 2025, during which a stent was placed. His physician, Dr. Abby Borhan, stated that Michaels requires a prolonged period of rest and slow recovery, particularly due to his lifelong Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis, which increases his risk of serious infections such as urosepsis.

Michaels initially postponed several summer 2026 tour dates after experiencing severe kidney pain during a performance in Spokane, Washington. Doctors determined that the condition required immediate intervention. Despite attempting a show at The Bowl at Sugar Hill, Georgia on August 21, paramedics and medical staff concluded that additional rest was necessary. Michaels and his solo band performed the show, but the event was not considered safe to continue.

According to Michaels's medical team, the demands of a high-intensity tour schedule make it impossible to maintain the strict hydration, rest, and blood glucose management required for safe recovery. The decision to pull off the road was made jointly by Michaels and his medical staff.

Michaels previously indicated in April that he and his bandmates hoped to reunite for a tour in 2027, which could be titled '40 Plus One' to mark the 41st anniversary of Poison's debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In. The band last toured in 2022, supporting Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard on a stadium tour. Following that, Michaels has performed sporadically with his solo band.

Michaels Entertainment Group has issued a statement expressing deep apologies for the disruption to upcoming events, including The Mountain music festival, and confirmed that the group is looking ahead to 2027 for a return to the stage.