Photos and Review by Raven Divito
@rockinshots

Bret Michaels is no stranger to the rock ‘n roll music industry. He is the frontman of the 80’s era rock band Poison, who has sold over 65 million albums worldwide. The band has charted 10 singles in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, including six Top 10 singles and a number-one single, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”

Michaels hasn’t fallen into one category, as he continually expresses every side that he is, from Country to glam metal, blues, and of course his ‘Rockin’ side!

Michaels has several solo albums and including the soundtrack album in 1998 film, A Letter from Death Row, which Michaels starred, wrote and directed. He started his Parti-Gras All-Star guest line-up in 2024, featuring Poison songs, his solo work, and the featured artist groups are different on each leg of the tour.

On this particular evening, we were blessed with a guest appearance of Mark McGrath of the band (Sugar Ray), which included his popular songs, “Every Morning,” and “Fly,” and Steve Augeri (Journey), sang “Separate Ways/Worlds Apart,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and “Any Way You Want It.”

Michaels appears to be alive when he’s onstage, his smiles, crowd engagement and overall positive charisma is infectious to say the least. He clearly didn’t call this project ‘Parti-Gras’ for no reason. He truly believes in pursuing your dreams and taking control of your life in what you love to do, hence one of his best-selling songs which has become a rock anthem in “Nothin’ But A Good Time.” This is exactly what you would encompass and remember for a lifetime, by experiencing this show.

Lita Ford

Lita Ford is a longtime friend of Bret Michaels, and Michaels toured with Ford in 2012 along with Def Leppard, so it was no surprise she would be the opening guest on this spectacular evening of iconic legends!

For those who don’t know, Lita Ford’s background started when she was 16 years old in 1975, when she was recruited by Kim Fowley to join the all-female rock band in Los Angeles called The Runaways, featuring Joan Jett & Cherie Currie. Fowley was the manager of the band at this time. The Runaways quickly were launched to fame, but it wasn’t enough to keep the members together. Ford is such a force on lead guitar and wanted to go in a different direction, so it was no surprise she went solo in the 80s to pursue her glam metal band, forging the path for women today.

A particular highlight in Ford’s career came in 1989 when she collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne on the hit single “Close My Eyes Forever,” which remains Ford’s most successful song, reaching No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 list. Another of Ford’s most successful song is “Kiss Me Deadly” off her self-titled album released in 1988.

Lita Ford came out to a standing ovation, as this iconic legend doesn’t tour year-round, and if you get lucky enough, like on this evening, you will be watching one of the foremost successful legendary driven women on lead guitar in history.

Ford was stunningly beautiful in her black leather jumpsuit, strawberry long-flowing hair, and a smile that could drop you to your knees. Her appearance is powerful and definitely paralleled with her guitar expertise. Ford graciously acknowledged the crowd and wasted no time in shredding “Gotta Let Go” from her 1984 album Dancin’ On The Edge. The stage backdrop was embossed with large lettering of LITA FORD in a circle that at times was immersed in flames contributing to her lightning speed as she shredded one out. Her second song was a complete surprise, Elton John’s “Bitch Is Back.” The band absolutely nailed this!

Ford did not disappoint in playing a Runaways song, “Cherry Bomb,” for her third song of the set. Next up was her classic duet “Close My Eyes Forever,” and for her last song of the evening, we were blessed with “Kiss Me Deadly.”