One of the most anticipated rock shows of the summer of ’99 was the Poison reunion tour, which brought back together singer Bret Michaels, bassist Bobby Dall, drummer Rikki Rockett, and guitarist C.C. DeVille – the group’s four original members. The original lineup split following the release of Swallow This Live in ’91, and had not performed together since.

After the split, Poison continued without DeVille, replacing him with Ritchie Kotzen and releasing Native Tongue in ’93. That lineup was short-lived and he was replaced by Blues Saraceno. However, with grunge, techno, and rap on the rise, and declining interest in ’80s-related music, the transition into the ’90s was not easy for Poison. The album recorded with Saraceno was never released and the group went on hiatus.

Years may have passed, but the original members of Poison still had a soft spot in each of their hearts for the music and their friendship. It wasn’t preposterous to think that one day fate would offer them another chance to work together. It was Dall who took the first step in bringing them together for a summer tour. And the timing couldn’t have been better. Audiences across the U.S. proved hungry for America’s ultimate party band, making the tour one of the summer’s top-grossing. The group put together a 90-minute set that included all of its greatest hits and concert favorites.

Now fully-recovered from his indulgence in the excesses of the ’80s, DeVille has claimed his sobriety and emerged looking like a new man. Buff and toned, he has dedicated hundreds of hours to improving his physique and honing his chops.

In the ’80s, mainstream guitar mags focused on players with