Poison

Poison was formed in 1983 and took a long time to find fame but in 1986 the release of "Look What The Cat Dragged In" went triple platinum and that got their foot in the door. "Look What the Cat Dragged In" produced some of their best hits including "Cry Tough", "Talk Dirty To Me", "Play Dirty", and "I Want Action". This album took to long before it was released and after two years before the band formed Matt Smith (the guitarist) left the band. Poison began auditioning for a new guitarist and they narrowed it down to three choices, Slash (later would be the guitarist for Guns N' Roses), Steve Silva, and C.C. DeVille. The band chose C.C. even though the lead singer (Bret Michaels) and the bassist (Bobby Dall) didn't get along with C.C. very well. With Bret Michaels on vocals, Rikki Rockett on drums, Bobby Dall on bass, and new guitarist C.C. DeVille on guitar the band released "Look What The Cat Dragged In", "Open Up And Say...Ahh!!", and "Flesh And Blood". these were the bands three strongest albums producing hit singles such as "Every Rose Has It's Thorn's", "Unskinny Bop", "Talk Dirty To Me" and many more.
After the release of "Flesh And Blood" tensions were running high between the band and C.C. DeVille. C.C. had a cocaine addiction which led to constant fighting between him and Bret Michaels. Backstage at the 1991 MTV music award show DeVille and Michaels got into a fist fight, and when they went on stage set to play "Unskinny Bop", DeVille began playing "Talk Dirty To Me", this was the last straw for the band, and DeVille was fired and replaced by Richie Kotzen. Poison's fourth album "Native Tongue" was far different from their previous album's. "Native Tongue" had a blues type rock to it where as the previous three albums had more of a glam metal, hard rock feel. Kotzen was kicked out of the band when it was discovered he was involved with Rockett's fiance and replaced by Blue's Saraceno. During the recording period of the album "Crack A Smile" Michaels crashed his car breaking ribs, fingers, his nose, and jaw. The album was shelved and later released their first greatest hits album. Michaels and DeVille worked out their difference and Deville was brought back into the band in 1996, and the line up hasn't changed since. The band has released 15 albums including 2 live albums four greatest hits albums, and a box set of cd's.