The Poison and Def Leppard Fight Continues….
I haven’t covered this story at HRH, but Joe Elliott’s latest retort to Bret Michaels and Rikki Rockett is pricless! Read on!
DEF LEPPARD frontman Joe Elliott has hit back at POISON singer Bret Michaels and drummer Rikki Rockett over their response to Elliott’s comments at a June 6 press conference at the Sweden Rock Festival, in which Elliott said bands like POISON and MÖTLEY CRÜE had “no substance in their music” and therefore relied more on their image in the ’80s. Rockett questioned Elliott’s rock historian credentials in his posting, and wrote, “I’d be hurt if this were coming from John Lennon… So it takes about one minute and 45 seconds to put on eyeliner. I suppose during that same time you were writing the next ‘Imagine’.”
Michaels had already responded to Elliott’s comments earlier, 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 brand new message posted at DEF LEPPARD’s official web site, Elliott writes, “Whoah boys, slow down!!! Well, Bret has a point, we DID lip-synch on ‘Dancing With The Stars’… absolutely… a show they’d love to be on, no doubt! But it was two-fold. One, the nature of the show didn’t lean towards a full live performance, too many restrictions, so we lip-synched — the way ALL artists do when they shoot videos (and the same as we did on ‘American Bandstand’ 25 years ago, and every time we did ‘Top Of The Pops’, dozens of times, so to us Englishmen, it’s no big deal). Two, I had a severe respritory infection, as highlighted by my croaking through the (absolutely 100% live!) ‘Ellen’ show performance the day before! My throat doctor (Dr. Sugarman, possibly Bret’s doctor too!) advised me NOT to sing for a week, but these shows were all on the week our new album was released, so canceling wasn’t an option…. hence my rather again croaky performance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ the next night! 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. As for being ‘crucified’ for lip-synching, one DJ on KLOS doesn’t worry me, however, a Top 5 entry in the Billboard album chart the week after and very healthy ticket sales seems to lean towards the fact that most of our fans knew that I was sick and that I ‘took one for the team,’ as it were. Calm down boys, you’ve heard worse, no?! Hey… Rikki implies we’re miming on tour?! HA!!! Well, he’s welcome to come see us anytime he wants… Obviously not used to hearing a good band very often then, is he?? 🙂 Also, glitter rock may well have been re-christened in the 80’s by er, someone in Hollywood, but trust me, I WAS THERE in 1972 in the UK, when Bowie, Bolan, SLADE, SWEET etc….. ruled with GLAM ROCK! Check out some old mags and you’ll see for yourself. I’m no historian, just a big fan, but sorry, Rikki (excuse me if I’ve spelled that wrong, though!), you’re wrong here, mate… very wrong! As you might say yourself, chill dude, just shootin’ the shit! PS: Rikki — John Lennon is dead, in case no no told you… And ‘Elliott’ is spelled with 2 ‘T’s…”
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Hard Rock Hideout 
Def Leppard is the supreme hard rock band of the 80’s. I am still a fan of all of them, but DL is a rather large step ahead in musical legacy than Poison (all time album sales and tour sales prove that). I’m a little bias b/c DL is my favorite band of all time and Phil Collen is my favorite guitar player. I’m almost embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve seen them live (about 25). I just wish everyone would get along. Honestly, don’t we have enough crap on the radio today that doesn’t even front 2 guitars, bass, and drums. We need to keep rock alive and it would help if all rock bands supported each other unequivically. There are enough crap artists out there to verbally demolish – can’t we focus on how “unreal” they are? In defense of Joe, he is somewhat right. Also, remember that DL despised with a passion being lumped in with the L.A. scene in the ’80’s – DESPISED IT! It’s similar to Metallica’s disdain and why they moved their base of operations to San Fran. Look back and notice DL were always regular guys, especially on stage, and never “dolled” up with makeup and all that – they let the music do the talking. I think this rif still has to do with what I’ve said and goes back 25 years. Should DL get over it already? For Christ’s sake they’ve proven they can still sell out 20,000 seat arenas for a 10 month tour and stand tall as one of the few acts to even still be relevant from that era. Let’s just all get along. Long live Rock and Roll!
WELL ALL I CAN SAY IS JOE WILL BASICALLY KICK BRETS ASS INTO NEVERLAND I WOULD NOT PISS HIM OFF
Can’t we all just get along. I’m the biggest DL fan. But I’m also a fan of the 80’s hard rock scene. Yes, image was overdone and Joe is mostly correct. But you can’t deny some of the great songs that both Motley Crue and Poison had (the guitar riffs for Wild Side and Nothin’ but a good time are timeless). Joe, I worship at the alter of DL, and I know it must be frustrating having most of the rock bands of the ’80’s trying to copy your formula, but for the sake of rock – “KISS” and make up!
P.S. – I’ve seen D.L. live over 15 times and you DO NOT need to tour with anyone else! Please play 2 full hours WITHOUT an opening act!
What the hell, Poisons the real deal, they rock. Def leppard is the biggest sell out ever! There is no comparision def leppard just could never be as pure rockstar as poison. . .ever. By the way, i doubt posion would want to play a gig where they have to sell out to their own fans by lipsinking. Go Poison you guys rock
Last time I checked, Poison is THE OPENING ACT and Def Leppard is THE HEADLINER!
Joe… Foreal Man?? Are You Really Gonna Go There, It Seems You’ve Got a Problem With Bands That STILL Got It Together. Keep Poison and The Crew’s Name Out Your Mouth. You TRIED To Be Tossed Into The “Glam Metal” Scene When Bands Such as POISON, MOTLEY CREW, SLAUGHTER, L.A. GUNS, WARRENT, and BON JOVI Ran The Music World. Def Lep Is and ALWAYS Will Be a B- Rated Band. So All n All Go Get “ROCKED” haha
Ok Boys! Joe…what can I say…I love you. Really. But you seem to be a little crabby! Since your married now…Maybe you need a little more ‘Sugar’. Poor Brett. Big bad Joe picking on you! Maybe he is missing all the “ACTION” that you were getting on Rock of Love! I know…you should do a reality show TOGETHER and see who’s still got it. We all know you became rock stars…to get laid! So…whoever can ‘get’ the most girls to come knocking down their door, WINS! All of America will thank you and be watching! 🙂 MUAH! You guys are HOT! Love you both!
This is a riot. Two sides, both stupid. Joe Elliott was right that Poison has no substance, but then, neither does his band since they caved in letting Mutt Lange run their show and find their least common denominator. Maybe both bands will take each other’s advice and call it a day.
both of them should just stfu and put out some good music that we can rock to!
Is this the Vince Neil/Axl Rose feud of the 21st century? When is Bret going to challenge Joe to a boxing match?