Bret Michaels Sues New York Concert Promoter

It's been one of those years for singer Bret Michaels, who hit the road earlier this summer despite having suffered a life-threatening brain aneurysm. Now the former Poison singer is suing a Syracuse, N.Y.-based concert promoter to the tune of $5 million, according to Billboard. When Michaels showed up in the city to perform as scheduled on Aug. 5, he was told that the show had been postponed.

Why did no one think to tell Michaels prior to his arrival that the gig was off? And why is he taking legal action? The promoter, Michael Banks and Aloha Events, said that the show was off because of a conflict in the singer's schedule, saying that Michaels would be appearing on a television show instead. Turns out, Michaels taped the segment for 'America's Got Talent,' which was the show in question; it was simply set to air the same night of the Syracuse show.

Either the promoter didn't realize that Michaels would be taping in advance or he was trying to get out of putting the show on and paying up. Nevertheless, fans demanded refunds and went to the local news about the matter.

Michaels' suit alleges that Banks and his firm breached the contract and exposed the singer to public contempt and ridicule by making defamatory statements about the singer's schedule. In essence, the singer is suing to prove he was not to blame and he showed up as planned, and for the libelous statements made about him. Michaels also said he was not paid his deposit, but still showed up to play. Michaels told New York's WSYR-TV, "You don't just go, 'Hey, I don't feel like paying anybody.' I think with a guy like Mike, he bit off more than he could chew."