In a stunning turn of events, POISON drummer Rikki Rockett has revealed that he’s still kicking after being diagnosed with oral cancer over 11 years ago. We’re not sure what’s more surprising, the fact that he’s alive or that he’s still talking about his cancer diagnosis. Rockett, whose real name is Richard Allan Ream, opened up about his health in a recent interview with Get On The Bus, because who doesn’t love a good cancer story?
The Cancer Saga
So, let’s get into the juicy details. Rockett was diagnosed with oral cancer in June 2015, and his doctor found a small tumor at the base of his tongue. Because, you know, that’s exactly what you want to hear from your doctor – “Hey, you’ve got a tumor, but don’t worry, it’s just a small one.” He underwent the standard treatment, which included 37 rounds of radiation and five days a week of chemotherapy. But, spoiler alert, it didn’t work. The tumor came back, because cancer is just that annoying friend who won’t leave you alone.
Rockett then met with a doctor in San Diego who was heading up some clinical trials, because when you’re a rockstar, you get to meet with fancy doctors who can save your life. The doctor told him that he might be able to get him on a trial, and Rockett was all, “Hey, I’ll try anything at this point.” And, surprise surprise, the immunotherapy worked, and the tumor was gone within a few weeks. We’re not sure what’s more impressive, the fact that the treatment worked or that Rockett didn’t lose his hair during the process.
The HPV Connection
So, here’s the thing, folks. Rockett’s cancer was caused by HPV, which is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Because, you know, that’s exactly what you want to hear – “Hey, you’ve got cancer, and it’s because of that one night in the 80s.” He’s been pretty open about it, saying that it’s the number one leading cause of oral cancer these days. And, fun fact, it can be spread through deep-kissing and hand-to-mouth contact, so make sure to wash your hands before you kiss your significant other.
Rockett’s also been talking about how he’s been mentoring other musicians who have been diagnosed with the same type of cancer. Because, you know, when you’re a rockstar, you’ve got to use your platform to help others. He’s also been advocating for people to get vaccinated against HPV, which is just good sense, folks. We mean, who doesn’t love a good vaccine?
The Memoir
And, finally, Rockett’s memoir, “Ghost Notes: My Life In Poison”, is coming out in September 2026. Because, you know, the world was just missing a memoir from the drummer of POISON. We’re not sure what’s more exciting, the fact that the book is coming out or that it’s been written with the help of two other writers. We’re sure it’ll be a thrilling tale of rock and roll, cancer, and… more cancer.
So, there you have it, folks. Rikki Rockett is still alive, and we’re all shocked. We’re not sure what’s next for him, but we’re sure it’ll be exciting. Maybe he’ll start a cancer support group for rockstars or something. The possibilities are endless.
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