Michael began playing guitar as a teenager. With drummer Rikki Rockett, bassist Bobby Dall and guitarist Matt Smith, he formed the band Paris in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1983. After playing Pennsylvania bar circuit at the beginning of 1984 they moved to Los Angeles to seek fame on the Sunset Boulevard scene, eventually changed their name to Poison.
Local Publication of the band ultimately led to a recording contract with Enigma Records and their first album, look what the cat dragged in. It is not so much success until 1987, when Michaels persuaded the band to film a video for their song, Talk Dirty to me. album went platinum and the band became famous.
