Rocker BRET MICHAELS axed his appearance at a festival in Iowa on Friday (20Jun14) due to severe weather.

The Poison frontman was due to headline the Country On The River festival in Council Bluffs, Iowa, but was instructed to cancel his set by event organisers amid safety concerns over the storms.

A post on the festival's Facebook.com page reads, "Due to impending storms and lightning on the area Bret Michaels will not be able to perform tonight... We would have Loved to have the show! Bret would have played in rain, but due to intense lightening it is simply a safety concern..."

A statement posted on Michaels' official website adds, "Unfortunately once again we were rained out tonight . Bret was ready to perform, but authorities prohibited it due to severe flooding and lightning. Bret can't wait to get back next year..."