Bret Michaels has a really busy summer ahead of him.
The former Poison frontman-turned-reality-star just hit the road for a solo tour -- he was heading to Louisiana when we chatted -- but that's not all. He's reuniting with his old Poison bandmates and longtime Def Leppard hair metal rock buddies for a series of joint gigs this summer.
“I spend about 90 percent of my time out doing solo tours," Michaels told The Huffington Post. "But this summer is exciting because I get to get back together with Poison and Def Leppard, and they’re all old friends. And we are just going to make it a lot of fun.”
"Most of us came from these small towns so we never forget what it was like the first time we all came together," Michaels added. "And we’re happy about how far we’ve come. Back in the '80s I was just happy to have air-conditioning when I was driving myself in a beat-up Winnebago.”
In addition to touring, Michaels will have a solo album, Get Your Rock On hit stores in July. As he describes it, the album is what would happen if Bret Michaels did a Frank Sinatra Duets-type album.
“Everyone is on it," he said. "Van Halen, Lil Jon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Loretta Lynn and pretty much every musician I have jammed with throughout my career."
Michaels also added that he needs to take some time to decide whom he wants to vote for president in November.
“I haven’t decided, but I have a lot of thoughts,” Michaels said. “I don’t go by party; I go by who will be best for our country and our economy. It is about who will bring our country back where it needs to be. I am not one of those guys who dies for a party. I also look for the bullshit meter, and I want to see who just talks the talk and who will really walk the walk.”
In fact, Michaels is quite serious when it comes to issues facing the United States today. One matter in particular, health care advocacy, is near and dear to his heart. He has been dealing with a diabetes condition since age 6
“Politics and health care is such a strange thing. I think you need to take a step back and look at the people you are helping; otherwise you will lose sight of what you need to do,” Michaels said. “We don’t live in a perfect society, and it is crazy to think things will turn out perfect. But we do need to break through the bullshit and get down to who needs help and why.”
And it seems like he's trying to do his share. On May 22, Michaels received the Magic Johnson Health Care Award at the Diversity Alliance for Science's Fifth Annual Networking Conference. He was honored for his extensive fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as for his work for the American Diabetes Association and the Eric Trump Foundation and his own charity, Bret Michaels' Life Rocks Foundation, which sends diabetic children to summer camp.
After experiencing a few rough years, including dealing with having an emergency appendectomy, a brain hemorrhage and a hole in his heart, Michaels said he is feeling great and he expects to be fully recovered soon.
“I feel really good. I am 90 percent. I still go through my therapy and I think I can get there. It is just going to take time,” he said.
One thing Michaels does not plan to do this summer is get married. Two years ago, Michaels asked his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Kristi Gibson, to marry him, but the couple won’t be walking down the aisle anytime soon.
“I would say this: I am happy in the place I am in my life, professionally and personally," Michaels said. "I know people make fun of it being the longest engagement in history, but life is good right now."
View celebrity photos of the week.
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Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Khloè Kardashian Odom celebrated the launch of HPNOTIQ liqueur`s Glam Louder Program at the Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 22.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jennifer Lopez joined Verizon Wireless COO Marni Walden to announce the launch of Viva Movil by Jennifer Lopez at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 22.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Carey Mulligan posed on the red carpet for the Sydney premiere of "The Great Gatsby" at The Entertainment Quarter on May 22 in Australia.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Heather Graham looked incredible as she attended "The Hangover III" premiere at the Empire Cinema in London on May 22.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Andrew Garfield was spotted out and about with his pal Tom Sturridge in New York City on May 22.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jessica Chastain walked the red carpet at the "Behind The Candelabra" screening at Palais des Festivals et des Congres as part of the 66th Cannes film Festival in Cannes on May 21.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Kim Kardashian and her mother Kris Jenner enjoyed a day in Paris, France on May 21.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Michael Douglas and Matt Damon attended the "Behind The Candelabra" photo call at the Palais Des Festivals in Cannes, France on May 21.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Anne Hathaway and a friend were spotted out shopping at Haute Hippie in New York City on May 20.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Halle Berry and fiance Olivier Martinez were seen leaving Whole Foods after buying a cart full of groceries in West Hollywood, Calif., on May 20.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Marion Cotillard posed on the red carpet for the screening of the film "Blood Ties" at the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 20.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jennifer Lopez looked amazing at the Billboard Music Awards held at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 19.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Miley Cyrus wowed at the Billboard Music Awards held at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 19.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were spotted holding hands in London on May 19.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Garrett Hedlund, Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan attended the "Inside Llewyn Davis" photocall at the 66th Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France on May 19.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Camila Alves-McConaughey and Ramshackle Glam's Jordan Reid co-hosted INC's Macy's Fashion Show in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 18.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Keith Urban strolled through LAX Airport with his daughter Sunday Rose in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 17.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Liv Tyler enjoyed some ice cream at the MAGNUM Cannes Lounge in Cannes, France on May 17.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Dianna Agron and a female friend were seen out and about in SoHo, New York City on May 17.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Isla Fisher attended the Opening Ceremony and premiere of "The Great Gatsby" during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 15 in Cannes, France.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Emma Stone stepped out in New York City on May 15 looking adorable as always.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Baz Luhrmann posed together at "The Great Gatsby" photocall at the 66th Cannes Film Festival on May 15.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
A very pregnant Penelope Cruz and her brother Eduardo visited their sister Monica at the hospital after she gave birth to a baby girl on May 14 in Madrid, Spain.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Zoe Saldana looked incredible at the "Star Trek Into Darkness" premiere held at The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on May 14.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Nicole Kidman arrived at the Martinez Hotel in Cannes, France to attend a photocall of the Jury on the eve of the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on May 14.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Katie Holmes was spotted on the set of "Mania Days" in New York City on May 14.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Emma Watson arrived on a flight at the Nice Airport on May 14 to attend the upcoming 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival in France.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Lea Michele attended the FOX 2013 Programming Presentation Post-Party at Wollman Rink Central Park in New York City on May 13.
Celebrity News: May 2013
Angelina Jolie revealed that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/14/angelina-jolie-double-mastectomy_n_3271514.html?utm_hp_ref=celebrity" target="_blank">she had a double mastectomy</a> after discovering she carried a cancer gene on May 14.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Owl City's Adam Young took a snack break while helping launch the new OREO cookie "Wonderfilled" campaign in NYC on May 14.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Alyson Hannigan was spotted leaving the AOL office after visiting The Huffington Post in New York City on May 13.
Celebrity News: May 2013
Angie Everhart <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/13/angie-everhart-cancer-diagnosis_n_3267500.html" target="_blank">confirmed that she's been diagnosed</a> with thyroid cancer.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Selma Blair was seen enjoying her Mother's Day with her son, Arthur Bleick at the beach in Malibu, Calif., on May 12.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux took a stroll after shopping at Barney's and dining at Fred's Restraunt in New York City on May 12.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Sienna Miller attended the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards at the Royal Festival Hall on May 12 in London.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Reese Witherspoon flaunted her legs in short shorts while watching her son's football game in Brentwood, Calif., on May 11.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Selena Gomez was spotted spending some time at the pool in Miami, Fla., on May 11.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Halle Berry flaunted her baby bump at the 20th Annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk For Women held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 11.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Liv Tyler took a walk with a male friend around West Village in New York City on May 10.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Stephen Amell hosted the F*ck Cancer event on May 9 at Bootsy Bellows in Los Angeles, Calif.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Pregnant actress Jenna Dewan headed out of her home in London on May 9.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Kerry Washington stopped by "Extra" at The Grove in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 8.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Bradley Cooper went incognito as he headed to the set of "American Hustle" on May 8 in Boston.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Ryan Reynolds was spotted walking his dog Baxter while sporting the new Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity Wristband in Bedford, NY on May 7.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Olivia Wilde was spotted rocking Carrera shades at Carrera Ignition Night in New York City on May 7.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart held hands while leaving their hotel in New York City on May 7. Check out J.Lo's tight leather pants!
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Blake Lively rocked thigh-high boots and a little black dress for a photo shoot in New York CIty on May 7.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Jennifer Lawrence and Sarah Jessica Parker share a laugh while attending the "PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala at the MET Museum in New York City on May 6.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Beyonce looked amazing at the "PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala at the MET Museum in New York City on May 6.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Kristen Stewart wowed in a jumpsuit at the "PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala at the MET Museum in New York City on May 6.
Celebrity Photos: May 2013
Nina Dobrev dazzled at the "PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala at the MET Museum in New York City on May 6.
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Posted: 05/23/2012 2:49 pm Updated: 05/23/2012 2:53 pm