Formerly known as Paris, Poison was formed in 1984 by singer Bret Michaels, bassist Bobby Dall, and drummer Rikki Rockett. After traveling from Harrisburg, PA, to Los Angeles, CA, the band added guitarist C.C. DeVille to their lineup. The group was signed by Enigma Records in 1986, where they released their first album, Look What the Cat Dragged In. The record, spawning the Top Ten hits "I Want Action", "Talk Dirty to Me" and "I Won't Forget You".

1988's Open Up & Say...Ahhh! was their commercial breakthrough, due to the massive hits "Fallen Angel", "Nothin' But a Good Time" and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn". After touring with David Lee Roth, the group returned to the studio to record Flesh and Blood in 1990. The album, which included "Unskinny Bop" and "Something to Believe In" was another major success. The band was secretly falling apart, as an infamous appearance on MTV showed C.C. DeVille perform nearly half of "Talk Dirty to Me" with his guitar unplugged.

Following the release of Swallow This Live, DeVille was fired due to his increasing addiction to drugs and alcohol. He was replaced by Richie Kotzen, the band recorded the Native Tongue with their new guitar player, despite some strong reviews the album commercial disappointment. Kotzen was fired by Poison and Blues Saraceno was brought in as the new guitarist. The band recorded their 5th album, Crack A Smile in 1996, but the record was shelved and replaced with the Greatest Hits: 1986-1996

Toward the end of 1996, Saraceno left and DeVille returned to the band, which eventually resulted in a successful reunion tour in the summer of 1999; the Crack a Smile sessions were finally released the following spring.

Poison then released the mostly live Power to the People. Another tour was cut short by an accident that left Dall with serious back surgery and at least a six-month break from the band. By the time he got back into shape, the band stepped into the studio and recorded Hollyweird, which was released in the summer of 2002. The following tour was promoted as a nostalgia experience and was funded by VH1.