Bret Michaels facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bret Michaels
Michaels performing in 2019
Background information
Birth name	Bret Michael Sychak
Born	(1963-03-15) March 15, 1963 (age 62) Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	Hard rock glam metal country rock country blues-rock
Occupation(s)	Singer musician songwriter actor filmmaker
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1983–present
Labels	Capitol, Cyanide Music Inc., VH1 Classic
Associated acts	Poison Jessica Andrews Loretta Lynn

Bret Michaels (born Bret Michael Sychak on March 15, 1963) is an American singer and musician. He is best known as the lead singer of the rock band Poison. This band has sold over 65 million albums worldwide! They also had many hit songs, including "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", which reached number one.

Besides his work with Poison, Bret Michaels has released several solo albums. He has also appeared in many films and TV shows. He was a judge on Nashville Star and starred in the reality show Rock of Love with Bret Michaels. Bret also won Celebrity Apprentice 3. He is known for hosting shows on the Travel Channel too. In 2006, Hit Parader magazine named him one of the greatest heavy metal singers ever.

Bret Michaels' Early Life

Bret Michael Sychak was born on March 15, 1963, in Chicora, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He has two sisters, Michelle and Nicole. When he was six years old, Bret was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This is a condition where the body cannot make enough insulin. He has managed his diabetes throughout his life and career.

Bret Michaels' Music Journey

Bret Michaels started playing guitar when he was a teenager. He formed a band called Paris with his friends Rikki Rockett and Bobby Dall. In 1984, they changed their name to Poison. They moved to Los Angeles to try and become famous. Soon, C.C. DeVille joined the band as their guitarist.

Becoming Famous in the 1980s and 1990s

Poison quickly became popular in Los Angeles. They signed a record deal with Enigma Records. Their first album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, sold over a million copies! Poison became one of the biggest glam metal bands in the world. They released more successful albums like Open Up and Say... Ahh! and Flesh & Blood. These albums also sold millions of copies.

Solo Music and TV in the 2000s

In 1998, Bret Michaels released a solo album called A Letter from Death Row. This was the soundtrack for a movie he also directed and starred in. In 2003, he released another solo album, Songs of Life. It included the song "Raine", which he wrote for his daughter.

Bret was a judge on the TV show Nashville Star in 2005. This led him to release a country rock album called Freedom of Sound. One of the songs, "All I Ever Needed", even appeared on the "Hot Country Songs" chart.

In 2007, Bret Michaels starred in the VH1 reality show Rock of Love with Bret Michaels. This show was very popular. He then released a "best of" album called Rock My World in 2008. It featured new songs like "Go That Far", which was the theme song for Rock of Love.

New Music and TV Appearances (2010-Present)

In 2010, Bret released a new song called "Nothing to Lose". It featured Miley Cyrus singing with him. His album Custom Built came out that same year. It became his highest-charting solo album, reaching number one on the Hard Rock chart.

Bret performed on the American Idol finale in 2010. He also sang "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" with Miley Cyrus on Good Morning America. He appeared on America's Got Talent too.

In 2013, Bret released Jammin' with Friends, an album with many guest artists. He also released new songs like "A Beautiful Soul" in 2014 and "Girls on Bars" in 2015.

In 2017, he released "Jorja Bleu", a song for his youngest daughter. In 2019, he released "Unbroken", which he wrote with his daughter Jorja Bleu. This song is about being strong through tough times. In 2023, he released a new song called "Back in the Day".

Bret Michaels on TV and in Movies

Bret Michaels has been in many TV shows and movies. He and actor Charlie Sheen started a film company together. They made movies like A Letter from Death Row and No Code of Conduct. Bret directed and acted in these films.

He appeared as himself in the sitcom Yes, Dear and The Chris Isaak Show. In 2008, he won $200,000 for charity on Don't Forget the Lyrics!.

In 2010, Bret won Celebrity Apprentice 3. He also starred in his own reality show, Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It. This show gave fans a look into his life at home with his daughters. Bret also hosted the Miss Universe 2010 pageant.

In 2020, Bret competed on The Masked Singer as "Banana". He finished in seventh place. In 2023, he was a guest on Impractical Jokers.

Helping Others

Bret Michaels is very involved in charity work. He has visited U.S. troops overseas to show his support. He also works with Operation Homefront, a charity that helps military families.

When he won Celebrity Apprentice 3, he earned $640,000 for the American Diabetes Association. This charity helps people with diabetes.

In 2014, after tornadoes hit Pilger, Nebraska, Bret and his band went to help with the clean-up. He also held a concert to raise money for the tornado victims.

Bret Michaels' Personal Life and Health

Bret Michaels has two daughters with his former partner, Kristi Lynn Gibson. He also has a line of pet clothing and accessories called Pets Rock. In 2023, he adopted a husky dog named Bret Michaels from a humane society.

In 2010, Bret had some serious health issues. He had a brain hemorrhage and later found out he had a hole in his heart. He recovered well and thanked the doctors who helped him. He has always been open about his health challenges.

Bret was injured during a performance at the Tony Awards in 2009. A part of the stage set hit him. He later settled a lawsuit related to this injury.

Discography

Studio albums

• Songs of Life (2003)
• Freedom of Sound (2005)
• Custom Built (2010)
• Jammin' with Friends (2013)

Filmography

Music videos

Images for kids

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  Michaels in 2008

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  Michaels performing in 2014

See also

In Spanish: Bret Michaels para niños