Inspiration And Expert Advice: Famous People
Bret Michaels Biography
Claim to Fame: Lead singer of Poison
DOB: March 15, 1963
Diabetes Type: 1
Singer, songwriter, producer, director, actor - diabetes may have caused a few hiccups along the road of life but it has not stopped Bret Michaels from becoming one of the most recognized names in American rock.
As front man for the legendary rock band Poison, Michaels has sold 25 million records and scored 15 chartbusting Top 40 singles including “Talk Dirty to Me,” “Something to Believe In,” “Nothing But a Good Time” and the timeless #1 smash “Every Rose Has its Thorn.” And in the new millennium Poison’s music has been featured in such big screen flicks as “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “Grandma’s Boy” and “Deuce Bigelow-European Gigolo.” They continue to be one of the industry’s top grossing concert attractions.
Diagnosed at the age of 6, Bret Michaels has been living the diabetes lifestyle for decades and has seen advancements being made in the management of diabetes. Citing the incongruity of the rock star lifestyle and the diabetes lifestyle, balance was the key to maintaining his diabetes life and his life on and off the stage. It was a show at Madison Square Garden shortly after the release of the group’s first album that led Michaels to come out to the diabetes community about his disease. A common flu combined with an insulin shot and a missed meal led to his passing out at the show. It was misinterpreted by the media as a drug stupor. For the sake of his fans, he shared his lifelong struggle.
Michaels has produced and written material for other artists including Stevie Nicks. He wrote and produced the song “Love’s a Hard Game to Play” which appeared on Nicks’ platinum album “Timespace: The Best Of Stevie Nicks.” More recently Michaels could be heard providing background vocals along with Phil Vassar on the Kenny Chesney/Uncle Kracker duet single “Last Night Again.”
In the mid-90s Michaels formed a film production company with actor Charlie Sheen. The partnership ultimately led to Michaels writing, directing and starring in several films including “A Letter From Death Row” which he executive co-produced with Sheen.
As an actor, Michaels has made regular appearances on such hit television shows as “Yes Dear,” “Martial Law,” and “The Chris Isaak Show.” And he has also co-hosted “Access Hollywood” and been a judge on the wildly popular “Nashville Star” program.
Setting his musical sights beyond Poison, Michaels released his debut solo album “Songs of Life” in 2003 followed by the rootsy, Americana flavored sophomore record “Freedom of Sound” in 2005.
Find more musicians with diabetes.