Not Even This Weave Could Protect Him From Harm.
Bret Michaels, frontman of the Hair Metal band Poison, was tragically injured at the Tony Awards on June 7th just after he and his band performed “Nothin’ But A Good Time”. Oh, the irony! Unfortunately, his trademark hairpiece, bandanna, and cowboy hat (can you say “overcompensating”?) failed to protect him when a descending piece of scenery crashed down on him as Stockard Channing burst into song on another stage in Radio City Music Hall.
The band—safely tucked behind the ‘Descending Scenery Area’—rushed to their singer’s aid, hindered only by their hysterical, convulsive laughter.
They found the singer “pretty bruised up”, according to publicist Joann Mignano, and he sustained a fractured nose and split lip, for which he received a few stitiches. He went for x-rays and has a precautionary CAT scan scheduled because of a previous neck injury.
But why was Poison even at the Tony Awards? Hair Metal bands are not generally a staple in the community that frequents Broadway musicals. Evidently, he and his bandmates were asked to perform with the cast of the Broadway show Rock of Ages.
Rock of Ages is, according to its website: “An arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more”. I know that when I think of face-melting music, I think: Journey. That Steve Perry could belt out a power-ballad like “Open Arms” in a manner reminiscent of James Hetfield screaming “Blackened” at a Metallica show. Face-melting, indeed. The musical’s mind-blower is Constantine Maroulis, who was once on “American Idol”.
Bret Michaels, in between his music gigs, has become a reality tv star (who hasn’t?). His show, Rock of Love, depicts his quest to find the perfect romantic lifelong partner by having 20 or so silicone-enhanced women compete in humiliating, alcohol-related tasks in order to win his heart. Although none of the three seasons of the show have yet found him the girl he to whom he wants to offer an engagement ring, his loving heart and desire to remain relevant keep him going, season after season.
Prior to his injuries at the Tony Awards—and who doesn’t expect a little blood spilled at the Tonys?—Bret enjoyed mingling with Broadway performers and had photographs taken with legends Liza Minnelli and Angela Lansbury, who were no doubt thinking, “Who is this guy, and what’s with the wig?”