Video: Bret Michaels: I Never Told Docs, Family I Was Performing on Idol
Bret Michaels fans were stunned when he performed the 80s Poison classic "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" on Wednesday's American Idol finale.
So were his doctors.
"The doctors, I didn't tell them I was going to do this," he told UsMagazine.com. "I never told them I was coming here. They're going to find out in a few minutes!" As for his family, "I may not have told them, either," he added.
PHOTOS: Bret Michaels' amazing career
The new Us Weekly (on newsstands now) reports that the 47-year-old rocker and father of two -- who nearly died after suffering a "warning stroke" and a brain hemorrhage in April –- has been worrying friends and family that he is putting his health at risk by refusing to put the breaks on his hectic schedule. "Just based on watching him, you could tell his body is not where his spirit is," his younger sister Michelle Sychak tells the new Us Weekly.
At the Idol finale, Michaels told Us, "To be honest, there's still obviously a lot of pain I’m still experiencing ... [but] I feel great.
PHOTOS: Amazing Idol makeovers
"Here’s the thing," he added, "they have not said everything’s OK. I’m running about 75 percent realistically, physically, but in my soul and my heart, I feel great. "I needed to do this tonight, just to come here," said Michaels, who told Us that he was first approached to perform on the Idol finale months ago before he got sick.
"It’s my first musical performance back and after this, I’m hoping to go out on the road, and I’m really looking forward to it."
On Friday, he told Us he is going to attempt to do a show in Biloxi, Miss. "I’m going to see how that goes and just take it a few shows at a time," he told Us.
PHOTOS: Bret Michaels at the Tonys
He said he "was so excited" to return to the stage for Idol. "Later on, I may collapse, but right now, I feel great."
While performing, "my heart was pumping," he told Us. "I got on stage, first of all, the fans and friends and family were all here. It was such an awesome feeling to see everyone screaming and cheering and singing along with the song. I was like, 'Hey, that’s three generations out there, that’s all I’ve wanted to do is have a great music career and to be able to do that, 20-some years later, that’s a great feeling.
PHOTOS: Today's top celeb news pics
"I wanted to be here with y’all tonight," he added. "This was good for my soul. Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox told Us she thought Michaels' performance was "inspiring."
Said the singer, 24: "With his health issues and the things that he’s been through recently, it’s inspiring to me that he gets up and pushes through it."
Tell Us What You Think
81OK, B, I just saw you and we spoke for a long time. You know my opinions (you asked, my friend!) but I dont think you should be touring. I dont think you should curl up in a ball either. Spend time at home with the girls. Surely that does your spirit good. Plus, if you need the spotlight, you can continue shooting episodes of the new reality series you have. What comes out of your mouth in the premiere we saw, does not match your actions. As a friend, you know I love and care about you and thats where my comments come from. See you again soon. Hugs xo
How can you say,"I may not have told them, either," in the beginning of the interview and then later in the interview he goes on to say, "I got on stage, first of all, the fans and friends and family were all here." Which is it? Why would your family be there supporting you, if they didn't know that you were going to be there? According to the book, "A Shot of Poison" by Christopher Long, Bret Michaels is "always armed with an arsenal of well-rehearsed and very print-friendly quotes, he's a master of self-promotion and never fails to give a calculated interview." I think he missed his mark on this one! I think with all his health issues, reality TV shows, touring, American Idol appearance and possible judge role, he has become a disingenuous attention getter much like Sarah Palin! For what? To reinvent himself? Grow old gracefully and spend REAL quality time with your girls, rather than use them as a selfish marketing tool for your already dead career.
BRET, YOU ARE LOVED BY SO MANY MYSELF INCLUDED! YOU DID A GREAT JOB ON AMERICAN IDOL, BUT I AM CONCERNED YOU ARE PUSHING TOO FAST. PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. I KNOW WHERE YOUR HEART AND MIND ARE AT, BUT ITS YOUR BODY THAT WILL TELL YOU WHEN TO SLOW DOWN. I AM AT THE SAME POINT IN MY LIFE. DUE TO MEDICAL REASONS I HAD TO SLOW DOWN ON A FEW OF MY FAVORITES, BUT IN THE LONG RUN I AM HOPING I WILL BE BACK TO BEING THE REAL ME AGAIN. BTW, IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO YOU I WILL PERSONALLY KICK YOUR BUTT FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF...LOL! GOD BLESS YOU BRET.
Best Moment on Idol This season and in a long time! Brett was amazing! Casey was great too. It gave me chill bumps to see him knowing that he has all these health problems and could of died. I wish Him the best and continued improved health. Don't push it though too soon Brett. We want you to continue to heal. I would love to see you judge later on!
Bret, God is looking out for you don't let anything stop you !!!!!!!Terry
I love Bret Michael's and I am praying for you buddy. Keep on keeping on, babe that is what it is all about. Love your courage and mind set. Love # 1 fan Terry
He needs to STOP, he's being really dumb. If something else happens to him I will not feel sorry for him.
I was SOOOOO suprised to see Brett on American Idol!! I wish Him the Best Of Luck Recovering!!oxoxoxoxo
Awesome Brett!! You look great but be careful... we want you around for a long time!!!
WHEN are the people at US Weekly going to learn to proofread their articles? It's "put the BRAKES on his hectic schedule", not "breaks". As for Bret - it was a thrill to see him on AI last night, but I think he needs to just go home and rest for awhile. I know he loves performing, but he has to think about his health and his family.
I wish him all the best!
Okay,,, he proved he can get back on stage, NOW HE NEEDS TO REST UP before he kills himself... he needs to be there for his daughters...
Bret please be careful. I'm a big fan. So glad to see you on Idol and that you won the Celebrity Apprentice but take it easy. I don't want anything happening to you. Take a rest. I know it's tough but you can do it.
Sitting around convalescing would probably do him in a lot faster than performing will. It's obvious that he's not the kind of guy to sit and relax. He's doing what makes him happy, and feeding his spirit will go a long way in helping him recover. Most doctors will admit that recovery is 20% medicine and 80% attitude.
What an idiot! After an appedectomy, brain hemmorage and stroke he decides to risk it all for a night of fame? He talks about his love for his daughters but obviously he loves fame much more than he loves them or he wouldn't risk his life for a night of applause. He was given a one in a million chance to survive the hemmorage and throws it all away for a night of fame here and there. What a shame. He will not live long at this rate.
I DON'T JUDGE HIM AT ALL. I JUST WISH HE'D REST AND NOT DIE. I WANT HIM TO BE CAREFUL. THAT'S ALL. PEACE OUT PEOPLE.
Here is a man who seems like a genuinely nice guy. I liked him on The Celebrity Apprentice. However, I think he needs to make many changes in his life, and I would think that coming as close to death as he did would jump start those changes. He needs to respect his doctors and what they say, and not act like a rebel. It's not sexy, not macho, just stupid, to go against doctors orders. Also, he needs to consider what is most important in his life, not his image, or his career, it is his two precious daughters. If he doesn't take care of himself, sadly, they may grow up without him. Also, he needs to stop doing the ridiculous "Rock of Love" show, and marry the children's mother. He has said how much he loves her and wants to marry her, well do it! Life change in a flash. Do the important things before it is too late. Live like today is your last day Brett, we should all live that way. We would live better lives if we did, and so will you!
The show was boring and lifeless then Casey James takes the mic and dammit if he doesnâ??t start in w/the Poison song. Before I can finish saying it doesnâ??t get better then thisâ?¦you hear the wave of a crowd roar as Bret appears then Casey starts wailing on the electric guitar. Awwwwwwsome. Highlight of the night. Casey looks like heâ??s HOME on the stage.
KISSES, Bret Michaels, KISSES!!!!! XOXOXOXOX
he will die soon