Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents
Venue: Talking Stick Resort – Ballroom
Date: Saturday November 16, 2019
Tour: Unbroken World Tour 2019
There are few front men that can command the stage and interact with the audience the way Bret Michaels can. Bret started out as the front man for the mega 80s rock band Poison. In recent years, Bret has pursued a solo career. It was interesting that at the end of the show, Bret teased us with the possibility that he might reunite with his fellow Poison members for a special tour next year. I don’t know if this is for real, but from the reaction of the audience, they surely want it to happen.
For those that follow Bret, this tour is going back to his roots and the songs are entirely Poison songs. Bret Michaels is joined on stage by guitarist Pete Evick, bass player Eric Brittingham (originally with Cinderella), keyboardist Rob Jozwiak and drummer Mike Bailey. Together they make a great band and their performance was one of the best I have seen this year. From the very beginning of the show where they came out playing “Talk Dirty To Me” to ending the show with “Sweet Home Alabama”, the crowd was standing and really into the music, dancing and singing along.
When they played “Something to Believe In”, Bret had a number of veterans join the band on stage during the song. He even introduced each of them. At another point in the show, Bret had a young man join them on stage and the young man played electric guitar with the band and even played lead on the song.
Bret Michaels has had his medical issues over the years, from diabetes to a brain hemorrhage he suffered in 2010. He was rushed to Barrow Neurological Institute here in Arizona after complaining of severe headache. They discovered the brain hemorrhage, operated and Bret has made a full recovery. For tonight’s show, he collected money and donated it to the Hospital. All of the proceeds from people purchasing a special Meet and Great package went to the cause. Also, his band at the end of the show actioned off different items (acoustic guitar Bret played, his vest, his hat and the flag draped mic stand) from the show and all of the proceeds also went to the cause. Bret has been known for all of the causes he champions including donations to St Jude’s Hospital. For this reason, he is being honored this year with the “Humanitarian Of The Year Award At Hollywood Christmas Parade”. It is really nice to see stars help out these great causes.
Bret is still out on this tour and if you get to see him perform it is definitely well worth it. He is an amazing showman and great singer. His band is great and everyone on stage really seems like they are having a great time. From the show here at Talking Stick Resort, the audience had a great time also.
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2019, All Rights Reserved
Bret Michaels Setlist: (Album / Cover)
Talk Dirty to Me (Poison song)
Look What the Cat Dragged In (Poison song)
Ride the Wind (Poison song)
Your Mama Don’t Dance (Loggins & Messina cover)
Something to Believe In (Poison song)
Unskinny Bop (Poison song)
Drum Solo
Every Rose Has Its Thorn (Poison song)
Nothin’ but a Good Time (Poison song)
Encore:
Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
