Poison were formed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1982 with Bret Michaels (Vocals), Bobby Dall (Bass), Ricky Rockett (Drums) and original guitarist Matt Smith. Somewhere around 1984 the band decided to move from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles to further their career. Matt Smith leaves the band and Poison recruit a new guitarist, C.C. Deville. Poison record debut album 'Look What The Cat Dragged In' in 1986. 'Talk Dirty To Me' is released as a single and the band really start to take off.
1988 saw the release of 'Open Up And Say...Ahh!' with their debut album becoming a big seller and the band getting airplay. The new album is a smash hit and the band embark on their first headline tour after the release of 'Fallen Angel', 'Every Rose Has It's Thorn', and 'Your Mama Don't Dance'. 'Every Rose..' Goes gold and hit's number one in the charts while the album sells over six million copies!
'Flesh And Blood' the bands third album is released in 1990 and the band is on top of the world for the moment. Singles include the Gold 'Unskinny Bop', 'Something To Believe In'. Unfortunately, after several years on the road promoting the album, tempers are becoming frayed within the band.
Poison's first live album, 'Swallow This Live' is released with four new studio tracks in 1991. After appearing at the MTV awards ceremony C.C and Bret lash out at each other back stage almost straight after coming off. Rumors of a split surround the band.
Poison hire Ritchie Kotzon on guitar to record their fourth album 'Native Tongue'. The album, although lacking C.C. Deville on guitar, still is a massive hit. Not long after, and during the tour, Kotzen is sacked by Poison for "personal reasons". Poison recruit Blues Saraceno to take over axe duties for the rest of the tour.
Poison get into the studio to record their fifth studio album 'Crack A Smile' still with Blues on guitar. The album, recorded in 1996, is never released at the time (eventually being released in 2000) and the record company release 'Poison's Greatest Hits (1986-1996)' including two tracks taken from the 'Crack A Smile' sessions.
In 1999 Poison reform with C.C. Deville for a Reunion tour. A lot of the gigs were recorded to make a live album. Poison decide to complement this with five new studio tracks and their sixth studio album 'Power To The People'.