POISON frontman Bret Michaels has confirmed that his band is in talks to tour with DEF LEPPARD later in the year. Speaking to CNN about his upcoming activities, Michaels said, "I've got a huge announcement, which actually just happened this morning. DEF LEPPARD and POISON are gonna go out on the road this summer. And the reason that's exciting for me [is] I know it will be the rock tour this summer. POISON and DEF LEPPARD, with all those big hits, being out there, we put out a great show, we've got a huge fanbase, but the one thing the fans get, we always keep the ticket prices down and deliver an absolutely awesome, kick-ass rock show. And I look forward to it, because I'm still a fan of music — I'm very passionate about the music I make — and when you can be out on the road with people you like — I've been able to go out with AEROSMITH, KISS, SKYNYRD — and to be out with DEF LEPPARD and POISON this summer, I think that it's gonna be the tour of the summer."

The announcement of a possible tour featuring POISON and DEF LEPPARD will undoubtely come as a surprise to most fans of the two heavyweight rock acts, both of whom have continued to do good business on the road despite the fact their most recent studio albums have failed to light up the charts.

Last summer, POISON was involved in a war of words with DEF LEPPARD singer Joe Elliott over Elliott's comments at a June 2008 press conference at the Sweden Rock Festival, in which Joe said bands like POISON and MÖTLEY CRÜE had "no substance in their music" and therefore relied more on their image in the '80s. Michaels held his own press conference the next day and responded to Elliott's comments, saying, "We have not sold out, and continuously, for 20 years every arena because we care about just our appearance. The music comes first." He then added, "(DEF LEPPARD) shouldn't be knocking anyone about their music since they just did a show called 'Dancing With The Stars' in the U.S. and they got crucified because they fucking lip-synched the entire show, so before they bust anyone's balls, I've never lip-synched a fucking thing in my life — ever! It's the pot calling the kettle black."

In a July 18, 2008 message posted at DEF LEPPARD's official web site, Elliott explained his original remarks by saying, "I was simply making the following simple point when I said a lot of those Hollywood bands weren't 'real' (or whatever I said)... I was born Joseph Elliott, Sav was born Richard Savage, Rick was born Richard Allen, Phil was born Philip Collen, Viv was born Vivian Campbell, and oh, Steve was born Stephen Clark. I don't think anyone in POISON uses their real name, do they? And I could name hundreds of others who don't, but POISON came to mind because I was asked about them! It's nothing personal, it was just an answer to a question."

Video footage of Elliott's original comment and Bret's response can be viewed below.

Check out previous BLABBERMOUTH.NET articles on the POISON-DEF LEPPARD feud:

* BRET MICHAELS Vs. JOE ELLIOTT - July 14, 2008 (Read)

* POISON Drummer Slams DEF LEPPARD Singer - July 15, 2008 (Read)

* DEF LEPPARD Singer Hits Back At POISON - July 18, 2008 (Read)

* RIKKI ROCKETT To JOE ELLIOTT: 'You Need To Shut The F**k Up! No More Talkin' S**t' - Aug. 1, 2008 (Read)

* POISON Singer BRET MICHAELS: 'I Don't Wanna Fight JOE ELLIOTT' - Aug. 10, 2008 (Read)



CNN interview: