‘We will then continue with all scheduled dates throughout the summer and fall,’ a statement says.
By Kelley L. Carter

Bret Michaels

Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

The cause of rocker Bret Michaels’ brain hemorrhage from last week hasn’t been discovered, but his return to the stage is already in the works. It’s possible that the current “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant could even be back rocking the house by the end of May.

The 47-year-old former Poison frontman has been in the hospital since Thursday, recovering from the hemorrhage (which came on the heels of an April 12 emergency appendectomy), and he most recently was upgraded from critical to stable condition. A statement from his website thanks fans for their continued support and the well-wishes, and also says that the rocker is responding well to tests and treatments.

More information on Michaels’ condition is expected to be released on Monday, as he’s undergoing tests to determine the exact cause of the rupture.

“While Bret is recovering we obviously have some shows that are being rescheduled. We are working to reschedule dates from now until May 21. At this time we are planning to resume the tour May 26 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, provided there are no further complications or setbacks,” the statement read. “We will then continue with all scheduled dates throughout the summer and fall, including the June and July tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Look for additional information in the days and weeks to come.”

The statement also told fans who hold tickets to rescheduled shows that theirs will be honored on the new dates.

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Michaels is ‘moving his arms, hands, everything,’ Wally Sychak says.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Bret Michaels

Photo: Brian Ach/WireImage

Bret Michaels is still under intensive care after suffering a brain hemorrhage last week, but a rep for the singer told “Access Hollywood”
on Tuesday (April 27) that “he remains in ICU but [is] stable. They are running more [tests].”

Michaels’ father, Wally Sychak, said he’s spoken with his son, according to “Extra”. In a video posted Tuesday, Sychak discussed a recent telephone conversation he had with Michaels.

“He sounded a little slow, but fine,” said Sychak. “He was talking, not as cheerful as he usually is, but I guess he’s under sedation. But he understood what he was saying and knew me. Everything seemed good that way.”

While acknowledging Michaels’ debilitated state, Sychak remained positive about his son’s condition. “Well, the fact that he was talking to me, and giving me information, I thought that was great because I understood that this is a terrible ordeal that he’s going through.” However, Sychak mentioned that he was still largely in the dark about Michaels’ condition. “We’re not getting information right now. We haven’t heard anything today or yesterday. I guess no news is good news.”

According to Sychak, Michaels is “moving his arms, hands, everything,” and seemed confident that he would be heading home. “I asked him, though, if I could come out and see him and he said, ‘Look, how about holding off until I get home. [Because] here in the ICU you’re not really gonna be in there very long. Since it’s a long trip to Arizona’ he said, ‘just hold off.’ ”

Sychak also sent a message of thanks for the outpouring of support from the rocker’s fans. “I want to thank them all for all the messages they’re giving and what I’m hearing on the phone and on his Internet site. I appreciate it all and all their prayers.”

Share your thoughts and well wishes for Bret Michaels in the comments below.

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Neurologist explains that first few days after a subarachnoid hemorrhage are critical.
By Gil Kaufman

Bret Michaels

Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

The next few days will be critical to Bret Michaels’ potential recovery from a brain hemorrhage he suffered late Thursday, according to one of the nation’s leading stroke experts.

“He had a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is not the most common type of stroke,” said Dr. Joseph Broderick, a member of the American Academy of Neurology and chair of the University of Cincinnati Neurology Department.

Broderick, a specialist in the treatment of acute stroke and the genetics of hemorrhagic stroke, is not treating Michaels and does not have first-hand knowledge of the singer’s case, but said that based on the information made public so far, the case is very serious but could be survivable. (An unnamed source told People that Michaels suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or bleeding at the base of the skull, and on Friday, a rep for the singer confirmed that People’s report was correct.)

“This kind only happens in about 5 percent of cases, where you have bleeding from the artery at the base of the brain, a kind of explosion of blood around the base of the brain, and it can be very serious,” Broderick told MTV News, noting that 30 percent of patients die from this type of injury within the first month. However, many are able to survive and live relatively normal lives afterwards.

He said the major risk factors for the kind of stroke that Michaels suffered are smoking and drug use, specifically cocaine, but it is unclear whether Michael is or was a heavy cigarette smoker or cocaine user.

As of press time, Michaels, 47, remains in an intensive care unit under 24-hour surveillance, and further testing was planned to find the source of the bleeding, according to his website.

The singer is reportedly suffering from slurred speech, blurred vision and dizziness as a result of the hemorrhage, all normal side effects of the traumatic incident according to Broderick. “These are pretty common things you’d see after this type of stroke and it can get worse,” he said about the blurry vision and speech difficulty. “The arteries can go into spasm after four or five days and get worse over the next week or two.”

Though those spasms can cause the other, more typical type of stroke, an ischemic one where blood supply to the brain is interrupted by a blocked artery, Broderick said doctors should have a better sense of Michaels’ chance of recovery over the next two weeks or so. “Patients typically die within the first couple of days or a week from this kind of stroke,” he said.

Michaels, who was diagnosed with diabetes as a child, had an emergency appendectomy earlier this month, an event he called a “wake-up call to be a little bit more diligent on keeping control of my health” in a blog post. Broderick said it’s not clear if the diabetes could have any relationship to the hemorrhage, but lingering inflammation from the appendectomy could have links to the brain injury.

In 10-15 percent of cases, doctors are unable to find the source of the bleeding in cases such as Michaels’, but Broderick said if they do, then cutting it off is relatively straightforward. “If it’s an aneurysm, they cook it or put a clip on it where it comes off the blood vessel and isolate it,” he said. “If you can’t find the cause, then you wait for the effects to wear off and you don’t really do anything but observe.”

Share your well wishes for Bret Michaels in the comments below.

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‘I am feeling very positive that he will pull through like a champion,’ Cyndi Lauper says after rocker’s brain hemorrhage.
By Katie Byrne

Bret Michaels

Photo: George Napolitano/FilmMagic

Before Bret Michaels was admitted to the intensive care unit after suffering a major brain hemorrhage late Thursday, he was a leading contender on the new season of “Celebrity Apprentice.” His co-stars on Donald Trump’s reality competition reached out to the Poison frontman on Monday (April 26) hoping for the best during his medical emergency.

“I am hoping for a speedy recovery,” fellow ’80s musical superstar Cyndi Lauper said, according to E! Online. “He is a strong-willed person, so I am feeling very positive that he will pull through like a champion. My thoughts are with his family.”

While Australian chef Curtis Stone had it out for Bret during a previous “Celebrity Apprentice” challenge that involved a country-star makeover, he had nothing but kind words for the rocker. “He’s a nice man, and I’ve got great wishes for him,” Stone told E!.

WWE Diva Maria Kanellis is also pulling for the “Rock of Love” star. “All you can do is hope and pray for him and his family,” she said. “He’s a strong man, so I hope he recovers very quickly.”

As for “Celebrity Apprentice” boss Donald Trump, he told TMZ that Michaels is in “big, big trouble and the prognosis is not great.”

“He turns out to be an amazing competitor, and ultimately, that is the thing that could save his life,” Trump said.

The latest update from Bret’s camp on BretMichaels.com said the singer’s condition hadn’t changed: “As of now Bret remains in ICU under 24 hour surveillance. Further testing this week will help locate the source of the bleeding.”

Share your thoughts and well wishes for Bret Michaels in the comments below.

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Facebook post says doctors are hopeful singer’s ’slurred speech, blurred vision and dizziness’ will be eliminated soon.
By MTV News staff

Bret Michaels

Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images

According to an update posted Sunday (April 25) on Bret Michaels’ website and Facebook page, the singer/ reality-TV star remains in intensive care after suffering a brain hemorrhage late Thursday.

“Everyone at Michaels Entertainment would like to thank all fans and friends for their continued thoughts and prayers through this difficult time,” the post reads. “At this point Bret remains in ICU in critical condition. He is under 24-hour doctors’ care and supervision. We are hopeful that further tests will locate the source of the bleeding, which has still not been located. As we all know Bret is a fighter and we are hopeful that once all is complete the slurred speech, blurred vision and dizziness, etc. will be eliminated and all functions will return to normal.

“More information will be posted as it becomes available,” the post concludes.
Despite reports late Friday that Michaels’ condition had “stabilized,” his website was updated Saturday, noting that he remained in critical condition.

“There are several incorrect reports on Bret’s condition,” the post reads. “Bret remains in critical condition at an undisclosed location. Further tests are being ran and information will be updated in the coming days.”

TMZ reported late Friday that Michaels was “awake, in good spirits and talking” citing Ambre Lake, the season-two winner of Michaels’ “Rock of Love” reality show. The site reported that Lake has spoken with people close to Michaels who said he was “stabilized and conscious.” Lake’s status update on the 47-year-old singer was said to coincide with another unidentified “Rock of Love” contestant who is in touch with the other members of Poison.

Michaels was rushed to the hospital late Thursday evening, where doctors discovered he had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or bleeding at the base of his brain stem, a rep for the singer confirmed to MTV News.

“After several CAT scans, MRIs and an angiogram, [doctors] decided to keep Michaels in the ICU and are running several tests to determine the cause [of the hemorrhage],” a source told People magazine, in a report that Michaels’ rep said was accurate. “[It] will be touch and go for the next few days while he is under intense observation.”

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80′s glam band, Ratt delivers another powerhouse of a record on Infestation.  With hard rock vibes reminiscent of the Out of the Cellar days, Stephen Pearcy and company also invoke the spirit of ’76 Aerosmith.

Pearcy’s voice soars on all 11 tracks of Infestation; at 50 years old, he has not lost much of anything.  He belts out anthemic melodies and infectious choral lines as if it is still 1984.

While there is a high saturation of lead guitars from Warren DeMartini and Carlos Cavazo all over the record—from the intro solos to the formal solo breaks—they do not fail to wail.

Compared to their bluesier self-titled album from 1999, Infestation represents a return to Ratt’s glam metal roots. Perhaps the new partnership with Roadrunner Records rekindled a much needed fire? (I prefer to think that it was the “Round and Round” bar scene from The Wrestler).

For the masses that still yearn for blazing riffs, thunderous drums, melodramatic lead guitars, and heavy fist pumping then this record will be a treasured delight. These fundamental and core ingredients converge, forming an undeniable and timeless sense of Sunset Strip debauchery.

Ratt is Stephen Pearcy (Vocals), Warren DeMartini (Guitars), Carlos Cavazo (Guitars), Robbie Crane (Bass), & Bobby Blotzer (Drums).

Track Listing:

1. “Eat Me Up Alive”
2. “Best Of Me”
3. “A Little Too Much”
4. “Look Out Below”
5. “Last Call”
6. “Lost Weekend”
7. “As Good As It Gets”
8. “Garden Of Eden”
9. “Take A Big Bite”
10. “Take Me Home”
11. “Don’t Let Go”

Singer’s website says ‘There are several incorrect reports on Bret’s condition,’ which remains critical.
By MTV News staff

Bret Michaels

Photo: Trish Tokar/ Getty Images

Despite reports that Bret Michaels’ condition had “stabilized” after he suffered a brain hemorrhage late Thursday, his website was updated Saturday (April 24), noting that the Poison singer remains in critical condition.

“There are several incorrect reports on Bret’s condition,” the post reads. “Bret remains in critical condition at an undisclosed location. Further tests are being ran and information will be updated in the coming days.”

TMZ reported late Friday that Michaels was “awake, in good spirits and talking” citing Ambre Lake, the season-two winner of Michaels’ “Rock of Love” reality show. The site reported that Lake has spoken with people close to Michaels who said he was “stabilized and conscious.” Lake’s status update on the 47-year-old singer was said to coincide with another unidentified “Rock of Love” contestant who is in touch with the other members of Poison.

Michaels was rushed to the hospital late Thursday evening, where doctors discovered he had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or bleeding at the base of his brain stem, a rep for the singer confirmed to MTV News.

“After several CAT scans, MRIs and an angiogram, [doctors] decided to keep Michaels in the ICU and are running several tests to determine the cause [of the hemorrhage],” a source told People magazine, in a report that Michaels’ rep said was accurate. “[It] will be touch and go for the next few days while he is under intense observation.”

Donald Trump of the NBC show “Celebrity Apprentice,” on which Michaels has been a competitor, told “Entertainment Tonight” on Friday that he was “deeply saddened” by Michaels’ affliction and added, “My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time. He’s a great competitor and champion and I hope he will be fine.”

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Poison frontman was rushed to the hospital Thursday night and was said to be in critical condition.
By Larry Carroll

Bret Michaels

Photo: Nancy Mazzei

In the immediate hours following Bret Michaels’ hospitalization for a brain hemorrhage, his fans have been poring over various websites looking for a hopeful update on the Poison frontman’s health. Now, encouraging word has leaked that Michaels may be better off than initially feared.

TMZ is reporting that Michaels is “awake, in good spirits and talking” as of Friday evening (April 23). This information comes from Ambre Lake, the season-two winner of Michaels’ “Rock of Love” reality show. TMZ reports that Lake has spoken with people close to Bret who say he’s “stabilized and conscious.”

Lake’s status update on the 47-year-old hair-metal legend is said to coincide with another unidentified “Rock of Love” contestant who is in touch with the other members of Poison.

Michaels was rushed to the hospital late Thursday evening, where doctors discovered he had suffered a massive brain hemorrhage, a rep for the singer confirmed to MTV News.

“After several CAT scans, MRIs and an angiogram, [doctors] decided to keep Michaels in the ICU and are running several tests to determine the cause [of the hemorrhage],” the source told People. “[It] will be touch and go for the next few days while he is under intense observation.”

The next 24 to 48 hours are considered critical for Michaels, and he will be closely monitored by the staff at the undisclosed hospital. Most recently, Michaels has been a contestant on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice.”

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Poison singer reportedly rushed to hospital late Thursday night.
By James Montgomery

Bret Michaels

Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images

Late Thursday night, rocker Bret Michaels was rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where doctors discovered he had suffered a massive brain hemorrhage, according to People magazine. A rep for the singer confirmed to MTV News that the report is accurate and said they will not have further information until more testing is done.

At press time, Michaels, 47, was reportedly in critical condition. A source told People that he was first taken to the hospital after complaining of “an excruciating headache,” and upon examination, doctors learned he had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or bleeding at the base of his brain stem.

“After several CAT scans, MRIs and an angiogram, [doctors] decided to keep Michaels in the ICU and are running several tests to determine the cause [of the hemorrhage],” the source told People. “[It] will be touch and go for the next few days while he is under intense observation.”

Earlier this month, Michaels — who is also diabetic — was admitted to a hospital in San Antonio with what he believed was a stomach flu, but doctors diagnosed him with acute appendicitis and rushed him into emergency surgery. Following the procedure, his spokesperson said Michaels was “doing well and beginning the recovery process.”

Michaels remained in the hospital under his doctor’s care and then was transferred to a rehabilitation facility that specializes in diabetic patients. While in recovery, he wrote a note to his fans thanking them for their support and expressed his desire to return to the current season of NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” which he is still in the running to win.

A statement posted Wednesday on Michaels’ website once again thanked fans for their well wishes and said that he was rescheduling the shows he was forced to cancel after undergoing the appendectomy.

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• Ozzy Osbourne debuted “Let Me Hear You Scream,” the first single off his June 15th disc Scream, on last night’s episode of CSI: NY. The rocker plans to announce his 18-month tour shortly, and promises news about Ozzfest will arrive next week.
• Special edition releases of the all-AC/DC soundtrack for Iron Man 2 will hit stores Monday. The Collectors Edition includes a limited-edition reprint of the 1968 comic “The Invincible Iron Man” and a cartoon drawn by Angus Young, as well as a 50-minute DVD packed with AC/DC footage and an early look at the movie.