Poison was an American hair metal band originally known as Paris. Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, Rikki Rockett and C.C. Deville signed to Enigma Records in 1986 (see 1986 in music). Their debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In was a success that included three hits, "I Want Action", "Talk Dirty to Me" and "I Won't Forget You". As successful as Look What the Cat Dragged In, was 1988's (see 1988 in music) Open Up & Say...Ahhh was a major success that included their biggest hit, ''Every Rose Has Its Thorn".
Poison's third album was just as successful, Flesh and Blood (1990) launched two big hits, including "Unskinny Bop" and "Something to Believe In". Drug and personality problems were tearing the band apart, and Deville was soon fired and replaced by Rickie Kotzen. Native Tongue (1993) got generally positive reviews, but sales were sluggish. Blues Saraceno soon replaced Kotzen, and he was then replaced by Deville's return for a 1996 (see 1996 in music) reunion. Some recordings and tours followed, though Poison was no longer widely popular or on the cutting edge of music.
