Michael Bolton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Bolton
Bolton in 2022
Background information
Birth name	Michael Bolotin
Born	(1953-02-26) February 26, 1953 (age 72) New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Genres	Pop rock soft rock blue-eyed soul hard rock (early)
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano
Years active	1975–present
Labels	RCA Columbia Jive Concord Universal Motown
Associated acts	Blackjack the Lonely Island Sohyang

Michael Bolotin (born February 26, 1953), known professionally as Michael Bolton, is an American singer and songwriter. He is famous for his powerful voice and for singing many popular love songs, especially in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Before becoming a pop star, Michael Bolton sang hard rock and heavy metal music in the 1970s and 1980s, both as a solo artist and with his band Blackjack. He also wrote hit songs for other singers, like "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan, which he later sang himself.

Michael Bolton became very well-known for his pop ballads. He often worked with famous songwriters like Diane Warren. He also sang his own versions of classic songs, such as Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" and Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman". He has sold over 75 million records and won two Grammy Awards. Besides music, he has appeared on TV shows and in movies, and he produced a documentary called American Dream: Detroit. Michael Bolton is also involved in charity work through The Michael Bolton Charities, which helps women and children. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to music and charity.

Early life and beginnings

Michael Bolton was born in New Haven, Connecticut. His father, George, was involved in local politics, and his mother, Helen, stayed at home. He has an older brother and sister. Michael started playing the saxophone when he was 7 and began writing songs at age 9. When he was 14, he formed a band called the Nomads. They signed a record deal when he was 16. With his parents' permission, he left high school at 15 to focus on his music career.

Music career

From hard rock to songwriting

Michael Bolton started recording music in 1975. His first album used his original family name, Bolotin. Early in his career, he focused on hard rock music. His band, Blackjack, even opened for the famous heavy metal artist Ozzy Osbourne. A rumor once said he tried out for Ozzy Osbourne's old band, Black Sabbath, but Michael Bolton later said this wasn't true. In 2004, a song he made with Blackjack in 1980, "Maybe It's the Power of Love," was used by rapper Kanye West in his song "Never Let Me Down".

After changing his last name to Bolton, he became a successful songwriter. He co-wrote "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan in 1983. This song became a number one hit on the Adult Contemporary chart. They worked together again on "I Found Someone" in 1985. This song later became a big hit for Cher. Michael Bolton recorded his own version of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" in 1988, and it reached number one on the Hot 100 chart.

Becoming a pop star

Bolton at the 1990 Grammy Awards

Michael Bolton became very famous as a pop singer in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He sang many songs written by top songwriters like Diane Warren. He also had hits by singing his own versions of classic soul music songs from the 1960s. One of his first big hits was his 1987 version of the Otis Redding song "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay". Otis Redding's wife, Zelma Redding, said his performance made her cry because it reminded her so much of her husband. In 1991, he released the album Time, Love & Tenderness, which included his Grammy Award-winning cover of "When a Man Loves a Woman", first sung by Percy Sledge.

From 1987 to 1995, Michael Bolton had four albums that reached the top ten and seven songs that reached the top ten in the U.S. He was even more successful on the adult contemporary chart, with 14 songs in a row reaching the top ten, including eight number ones.

In 1992, the Isley Brothers sued Michael Bolton, saying his 1991 song "Love Is a Wonderful Thing" was too similar to their 1966 song with the same name. After a long legal battle, Michael Bolton and his co-writer had to pay the Isley Brothers.

Bolton in 1997

His last song to reach the Top 40 in the U.S. was "Go the Distance" in 1997, from the Disney movie Hercules. This song also reached number one on the U.S. adult contemporary chart.

Later music and TV work

Michael Bolton's music continued to be popular on adult contemporary radio in the early 2000s. He kept releasing albums. In 2001, his album Only a Woman Like You came out, and the main song was co-written by Shania Twain. In 2006, he sang a duet with his fiancée at the time, Nicollette Sheridan, called "The Second Time Around."

Bolton in Barcelona, Spain, January 2010

In May 2011, Michael Bolton was a special singer on The Lonely Island's funny song "Jack Sparrow". In the music video, he dressed up as characters like Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean and Forrest Gump. He also appeared on The Masked Singer in 2021 and 2023, where he sang while dressed in costumes. In 2022, he competed in the American Song Contest, representing Connecticut, and made it to the finals.

Film and TV appearances

Michael Bolton has made several guest appearances in movies and on TV shows, often playing himself. You might have seen him in Meet Wally Sparks (1997), Two and a Half Men (2012), or The Nanny (1998).

In September 2010, Michael Bolton was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. He and his dance partner were the second couple to leave the show.

In 2018, he produced a documentary called American Dream: Detroit. This film showed how the city of Detroit was making a comeback. It included interviews with famous people like Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson.

Personal life

Michael Bolton describes his family as having a liberal Jewish background. He became a bar mitzvah at age 13. He has been a vegetarian since 1970.

In January 2013, Michael Bolton wrote a book about his life and music called The Soul of It All: My Music, My Life.

In January 2024, he shared that he had successful surgery for a brain tumor in December 2023 and would be taking a break from touring to recover. He lives in Westport, Connecticut.

Family

Michael Bolton was married to Maureen McGuire from 1975 to 1990. They have three daughters: Isa, Holly, and Taryn. He became a grandfather for the first time in 2010 and has six grandchildren.

He also dated actress Nicollette Sheridan. They were engaged in 2006 but later broke up in 2008.

Charity work

In 1993, Michael Bolton started The Michael Bolton Foundation, which is now called The Michael Bolton Charities. This organization helps women and children who are facing poverty or abuse. While the charity has faced some questions about how much money went directly to programs in the past, Michael Bolton continues to be involved in many charitable efforts.

He is the honorary chairman of Prevent Child Abuse America and a board member for the National Mentoring Partnership.

In 1993, Michael Bolton played in a charity softball game against Michael Jordan at Comiskey Park. Michael Bolton's team, the Bolton Bombers, won the game against Jordan's team, which included many other celebrities.

In 2003, Michael Bolton worked with other groups to support laws that would help victims of domestic violence, such as providing affordable housing.

Michael Bolton has received several awards for his charity work, including the Lewis Hine Award and the Martin Luther King Award. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his music and his charitable contributions.

Discography

Since 1975, Bolton has released 24 studio albums and 35 singles. Nine of his singles have peaked at No. 1 on either the Billboard Hot 100 or the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts in the US.

Awards and nominations

Filmography

As actor

• 1994: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as himself (Episode: "Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse") - Archive footage
• 1997: Meet Wally Sparks
• 1998: The Nanny as himself
• 2002: Snow Dogs (film also features four Michael Bolton songs)
• 2002: High Voltage
• 2008: The Onion Movie
• 2012/14: Two and a Half Men as himself (4 episodes)
• 2015: Glee as himself, episode (Episode: "The Rise and Fall of Sue Sylvester")
• 2016: Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
• 2017: Fresh Off the Boat as himself (3 episodes)
• 2018: Teen Titans Go! to the Movies as Tiger
• 2018: Little Big Awesome as himself (Episode: "Friendiversary / Flower Power")
• 2023: The Masked Singer as Himself/Wolf
• 2023: Clone High as himself
• 2023: Awkwafina is Nora from Queens as Kevin (2 episodes)
• 2024: Knuckles as Wade's singing voice (Episode: "The Flames of Disaster"; uncredited)

As executive producer

• 2001: Offside (short)
• 2001: Good Advice
• 2005: Terror at Home: Domestic Violence in America (TV)
• 2008: The Other Side of the Tracks
• 2018: American Dream: Detroit

Images for kids

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  Bolton in 2022

See also

In Spanish: Michael Bolton para niños

• List of best selling music artists
• List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)