by Rikki Lee Travolta
Early in my career, I worked on marketing campaigns for Janet Jackson, Sting, and Extreme. I was also the PR guy who brought Crowbar into the mainstream. Now, I serve as the publicist for Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses fame.
I recently had the chance to visit with Mick Michaels for an interview for The Cosmick View. If you’ve never given The Cosmick View a read, I recommend you do. It’s a good website with some really interesting interviews.
One of the things I touch on in the interview is the importance of image in the entertainment industry. Even the most talented actors can struggle to get attendance at their films if the negativity of their off-screen antics overshadows what they do on screen.
‘
In the music industry, image is just as important. In our interview, I cite Bret Michaels of the band Poison as a true master of image. This is part of what I had to say about Bret:
“He has a very specific look that he has cultivated over the years. He has a very specific music style. He has certain catchphrases and a way of speaking that is inherently his own. He has a wonderfully charismatic public persona that highlights his best attributes as a person. It all comes together brilliantly.”
“Everyone in the world knows Bret Michaels. He’s going to be in the headlines and selling out concerts as long as he wants to.”
The full interview is available at: https://thecosmickview.blogspot.com/2023/11/interview-with-actor-writer-musician.html
I think it’s Bret’s passionate embrace of image that makes him one of my favorites. That, and his determination to use all at his disposal to its maximum potential.
We all wish we were born with the vocal dexterity of Freddie Mercury. Sadly, that is not the case. In terms of pure tone quality among rock singers, it’s hard to compare to Sebastian Bach or Ronnie James Dio.
Yet, despite not having a 5-octave vocal range, Bret is one of the best frontmen in rock n’ roll. It’s because he uses all the tools at his disposal. It’s not what you are born with in terms of talent, it’s what you do with what you were born with that interests me most. And Bret is one who does put it all out there.
The man is 60 years old but you wouldn’t know it to look at him. He could probably run laps around most 20-year-old men, and then steal their girlfriend at the end of the night.
Another key factor to Bret’s positive image in the press is his positive focus. Bret is very vocal in his appreciation of the military and law enforcement and very encouraging of other musicians as well. He raises money for a number of charities, to the tune of millions of dollars. Talk about a good guy. And it all adds up in the public’s overall perception.
Knowing how to sculpt an image is the difference between just writing “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” and the world knowing you were the one who wrote it.
Check out The Cosmick View for Mick Michaels’ piece on my career in entertainment, including my thoughts on Bret Michaels. Also check out Mick’s interview with Ari Kamin, lead singer of Steven Adler’s solo band.
Steven Adler and the band have a kickass show coming up sharing the bill with Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil on November 30th at Quechan Casino Resort in Winterhaven, CA.
It’s a great destination in Southern California four hours from Los Angeles, four hours from Las Vegas, and under three hours from Phoenix. For tickets visit: https://playqcr.com/vince-veil-steven-adler/
