Bret Michaels health struggles explored amid diabetes scare during Washington, Pa show

The frontman of the famed rock band Poison, Bret Michaels, who is in the middle of his North American tour, might have to adjust some of the shows that are lined up. The 62-year-old lead singer experienced a diabetes scare during a Washington, Pennsylvania show on June 27, 2025.

Poison gained major success with albums like Open Up and Say…Ahh! and Look What the Cat Dragged In, while Bret Michaels rose to fame in the ’80s and early ’90s as the band’s charismatic lead vocalist.

Considered a distinguished figure in the rock circuit, Michaels took to his official Instagram account on June 28, 2025, to share a post. He informed his fans that there might be changes to his current North American tour schedule. The All I Ever Needed singer began his post by thanking fans for showing up to his recent shows before sharing details about his current health. Michaels wrote:

"Unfortunately, the highs and lows of living with diabetes since I've been 6 years old occasionally just kick my butt. Last night, I went on stage and even added a song or two to the set to prove to myself & the fans that I could do it. At the end, my blood sugar walking off the stage was a real-life 39."

He continued:

"I vow in the near future, I'm going to take that time needed, and please forgive me if I have to move some of the shows around until I get this under control."

Bret Michaels, who co-founded Poison along with drummer Rikki Rockett in the early 1980s in Pennsylvania, further added:

"The schedule this summer is completely insane - all over the place and some of these will have to be rearranged, as one time I'm in Pennsylvania the next night Montana, one night [Pittsburgh], the next night Oklahoma, and so on."

He ended the post by saying:

"I am forever grateful, but just have to rearrange some of this schedule as everyone knows. Again, my apologies I love the shows the fans and the music!"

Check out Bret Michaels' Instagram post below:

A look at Bret Michaels' past health challenges

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Prominent musician and lead vocalist of Poison, Michaels was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was just 6 years old and has faced several health issues over the years. As per People, Bret suffered a stroke and a serious brain hemorrhage in 2010 that could have been fatal. He was also hospitalized in June 2022; reports suggest this was due to an "unforeseen medical complication," potentially linked to COVID-19.

According to People, as a child Bret had to have insulin injections several times a day and was frequently taken to the hospital as he often became sick. During a show at Madison Square Garden in New York City — a landmark venue for the band — he collapsed on stage after going into insulin shock.

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