Michael Bolton

Vocation

Lifestyle

Notable

Family

American singer, international superstar and social activist. Blessed with an incomparable voice, Michael has become one of the best-known recording artists in the world, selling more than 50 million albums and singles during his career. With two Grammy's for Best Male Vocalist, six American Music Awards, a string of No.1 hits (including over one hundred songs that he has written for other world-renowned artists), and many humanitarian and industry awards to his credit, Bolton continues to perform sold-out concerts for millions of fans around the globe, bringing his warmly-familiar signature four-octave range to soul-stirring interpretations of some of the most popular songs of a generation. The youngest son of Democratic Party official George Bolotin, he grew up idolizing such pioneers of R&B as Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, and Otis Redding. By age 15, Michael had signed his first record deal, plugging the power of his voice into Connecticut bar bands before he was even technically allowed in a bar. He spent the 1970's honing his skills and his sensibility in a series of solo and group albums and began preparing to make his mark in the charts. In 1978, he formed a hard rock combo, and had his first major success as a songwriter in 1983. For several years he composed for other performers, playing guitar and singing himself. A prolific and diverse songwriter, Michael has seen his songs recorded by an astonishing array of renowned artists. Michael has written songs for Barbra Streisand, KISS, Joe Cocker , Kenny Rogers, Cher and Kenny G and Peabo Bryson. While he was churning out emotional hits for others, someone noticed he had a pretty stirring voice himself on those demo tapes. With long hair flowing and a strong chin, he became a middle-of-the-road matinee idol, a Fabio for former Barry Manilow fans. His over-the-top style (and penchant for re-making classic soul songs) earned him sneers from critics and swoons from his fans. In 1983, he changed his name to Michael Bolton, signed to Columbia Records as a solo act, and relaunched his career. By 1988 he sang his own songs on TV and began his recording career. In April 1988 he was voted Best R&B vocalist of the year and from then moved steadily upward with tours, records and awards. In 1992, his "Timeless (The Classics)," became a multi-platinum-selling collection of some of the songs that inspired Michael Bolton to pick up a pen and a microphone in the first place. "It was a labor of love." He said, "I had no idea it was going to become so successful." (That album has sold nearly eight million copies.) While on tour, Michael's softball team -- Bolton's Bombers -- raises funds for charity by competing against local radio stations and league teams the day before, on, or after a show. The team is made up mostly of band and crew members with Michael positioned at third base (the "hot corner") and "one of the power hitters." Softball is one of Michael's great extracurricular passions and, in 1993, he released an instructional video -- "Michael Bolton's Winning Softball: Hit Harder, Play Smarter" -- with Bomber coach and softball legend Dave Carroll. The name of the Bolton's Bombers' game is charity and Michael is tireless in his devotion to worthy causes which include Pediatric AIDS, different diseases, racial advancement, Cystic Fibrosis, cancer research and more. In 1993, he established the Michael Bolton Foundation which, in 1998, became The Michael Bolton Charities, Inc. for which he has been given honors and awards. He flatly denies that he accepts any of the proceeds of his various charities. Bolton authored a children's book, "The Secret Of The Lost Kingdom," and recorded "Go The Distance," the Academy Award-nominated theme song for the Disney animated Film "Hercules." In 1992, Bolton faced a hostile press corps of critics unhappy with his tendency to copy great soul singers like Redding, Ray Charles, and Percy Sledge. Bolton suggested they apply their lips to a certain part of his anatomy. He further responded with "Timeless" in September 1992, an album made up entirely of cover songs. It went to No.1, sold three million copies, winner of a Grammy on 2/26/1994 for his hit "When a Man Loves a Woman." Bolton was sued by the Isley Brothers on 2/25/1992 for stealing their song "Love is a Wonderful Thing," for which he won two awards in May 1992. A 1994 ruling found Bolton guilty of plagiarizing the Isley Brothers' 1964 song. The ruling was upheld by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Los Angeles on 5/09/2000, and the court awarded Ronald Isley and Marvin Isley a percentage royalties from "Time, Love and Tenderness," the Bolton album on which it appeared. Bolton appealed the judgment with a request to overturn a ruling that would cost him $5.4 million for plagiarizing but lost the appeal on 1/22/2001. Bolton became engaged to Nicolette Sheridan on March 9, 2006 in the Bahamas. Link to Wikipedia biography