Michael Bolton

Michael Bolotin[4] (born February 26, 1953), known professionally as Michael Bolton, is an American singer and songwriter. Bolton originally performed in the hard rock and heavy metal genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, both on his early solo albums and those he recorded as the frontman of the band Blackjack. He became better known for his series of pop rock ballads, recorded after a stylistic change in the late 1980s.

This article is about the musician. For his self-titled debut album, see Michael Bolton (album).

Michael Bolton
Bolton in 1997
Background information
Birth nameMichael Bolotin
Born (1953-02-26) February 26, 1953
New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active1975–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitemichaelbolton.com

Bolton's achievements include selling more than 75 million records, recording eight top 10 albums and two number-one singles on the Billboard charts, as well as winning six American Music Awards and two Grammy Awards.[5][6]

Career

Music

Bolton began recording in 1975. This first album was self-titled using his original family name of Bolotin. Early in his musical career he focused on hard rock, with his band Blackjack once opening for heavy metal artist Ozzy Osbourne on tour. It was rumored that in 1983 Bolton auditioned for, but was denied, the lead vocalist position with Osbourne's former band, Black Sabbath.[7] Bolton later stated this was untrue, saying "That rumor about me auditioning for Black Sabbath was only a rumor, I don't know how on earth it started."[8][9]

After anglicizing his family name to Bolton, he gained his first major hit as a songwriter, co-writing "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan, previously best known for singing the pop hit "Gloria". Narrowly missing the Top 10 on the US pop chart, Branigan took the song to number one on the Adult Contemporary chart for three weeks in 1983. The two sought to work with each other again, and their next collaboration was when Bolton co-wrote "I Found Someone" for Branigan in 1985. Her version was only a minor hit, but two years later, Cher resurrected the song, and with it her own singing career. Bolton co-wrote several other songs for both singers. Bolton recorded his own rendition of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" in 1988, which reached number one on the Hot 100.

Bolton at the 1990 Grammy Awards

Bolton achieved his greatest success in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a singer on the adult contemporary/easy listening charts. One of his first major hits was his 1987 interpretation of the Otis Redding classic "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay". Redding's widow, Zelma Redding, said she was so moved by Bolton's performance "that it brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me so much of my husband that I know if he heard it, he would feel the same."[10] Always interested in soul and Motown classics, Bolton's success with that song encouraged him to tackle the standard "Georgia on My Mind", with which he had another hit. In 1991, Bolton released the album Time, Love & Tenderness which featured his Grammy Award-winning cover version of "When a Man Loves a Woman".[11]

As a singer, he has performed with other artists such as: Lucia Aliberti, Patti LaBelle, José Carreras, Tony Cetinski, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming, Wynonna Judd, BB King, The Lonely Island, Luciano Pavarotti, Percy Sledge, and Zucchero. As a songwriter, he has written and collaborated on several songs for other artists as well.

Bolton's last Top 40 single in the US in his own right was the 1997 hit "Go the Distance" (featured in the Disney animated motion picture Hercules), which peaked at No. 1 on the US adult contemporary chart. He hired conductor Larry Baird (orchestral musical director/conductor/arranger for The Moody Blues, Three Dog Night, Al Jarreau, etc.) for his 2001 tour.

In 2006, Bolton and Nicollette Sheridan (his fiancée at the time) sang a duet, "The Second Time Around", for the album Bolton Swings Sinatra. In March 2007, Bolton toured South Africa for the first time. He was the headline act at Jacaranda 94.2 FM's two-day concert.

For Over the Rainbow, an album which was recorded in five days, Bolton recorded the song "New York City", which was also on his Bolton Swings Sinatra album. This was for an episode of the TV series, Challenge Anneka. The proceeds from the album went to children's hospices across the UK.

Bolton performed a duet entitled "Il Mio Amico" with the Italian singer Anna Tatangelo at the Sanremo Music Festival 2008. The song was originally sung by Tatangelo alone, but the duet version contained English lyrics as well.

Bolton's album Only a Woman Like You was released in 2001. The title song was co-written by Shania Twain. Bolton released his album One World One Love in the UK on September 21, 2009. The first single, "Just One Love", was released one week earlier.[12]

Bolton in Barcelona, Spain, January 2010

In 2011, Bolton was featured as a guest vocalist in The Lonely Island's song "Jack Sparrow" on their Turtleneck & Chain album. His performance with the comedic hip-hop trio focused on his (intentionally) off-topic chorus and miscommunication with the group, and the video featured him dressed in costumes as Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean, Forrest Gump, Erin Brockovich, and Tony Montana from Scarface.[13]

As of February 2015, Bolton was working on the recording of a new studio album. He has collaborated with Indian musician A. R. Rahman for a song which was recorded in February 2011 for Gems – The Duets Collection.[14]

In 2013 Bolton released the album Ain't No Mountain High Enough: A Tribute to Hitsville U.S.A., which featured duets with Kelly Rowland, Melanie Fiona and Orianthi.[15]

In 2013 and 2014, Bolton appeared in Honda commercials in which he sings.

In 2015 Bolton sang on John Oliver's Last Week Tonight episode concerning the IRS.[16]

Acting

Bolton has made a number of cameo appearances in feature films and television, usually appearing as himself, such as in Meet Wally Sparks, Two and a Half Men, and The Nanny.[17] Although he has been rumored to have appeared as an extra in Dune as a "spice-eyed" drummer, Bolton has stated in interviews that it is not him.[18]

In August 2006, Bolton was one of Lucy Lawless's duet partners on the Fox network's program Celebrity Duets, which Simon Cowell's Syco Productions Company produced for the network.

Bolton was a contestant on the eleventh season of Dancing with the Stars.[19] He and his dance partner Chelsie Hightower were the second couple to be eliminated, on September 28, 2010.

In 2015, Bolton starred in a Pizza Hut commercial as himself singing Jingle Bells while the family opens up their pizza order.[20]

Directing

On May 10, 2018, it was announced that American Dream: Detroit (Exclusive), Michael Bolton film, would premiere on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 in Redford Theater.[21] Despite Bolton being born in Connecticut, he fell in love with the city of Detroit and wanted to highlight its recent economic comeback. This documentary features interviews with several famous Detroit natives to include business moguls, singers and luminaries, including Christopher Ilitch, Jerry Bruckheimer, Francis Ford Coppola, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and Alice Cooper. This "Love-Letter to Detroit" film is reported by the Crain's (a local business publication) in an article titled "Michael Bolton to appear at Redford Theatre for Detroit documentary premiere", written by Annalise Frank.[22]

On February 24, 1992, the American R&B group the Isley Brothers filed a lawsuit against Bolton, claiming his 1991 hit song "Love Is a Wonderful Thing" plagiarized their 1966 song of the same name.[23]

A Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of the Isley Brothers on April 25, 1994.[24] The jury determined there were five instances in which Bolton's song plagiarized the Isleys' tune. Bolton, co-writer Andrew Goldmark and Sony Publishing were ordered to turn over more than $5 million in profits from the sales of Bolton's version of the song to the Isley Brothers. It was the largest award in history for plagiarism in the music industry.[25]

Bolton, Goldmark and Sony appealed the verdict, and the court fight continued for nearly seven more years. The case concluded on January 22, 2001, when the Supreme Court of the United States refused to hear the appeal of a May 2000 decision by the Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals in San Francisco.[26]

Under the Ninth Circuit ruling, the Isleys were to be paid $4.2 million from Sony Music, $932,924 from Bolton, $220,785 from Goldmark, and the balance from Bolton and Goldmark's music publishing company.[27]

Personal life

Bolton was married to Maureen McGuire from 1975 to 1990.[28] They are the parents of three daughters, each born two years apart: Isa, Holly, and Taryn.[29][30] He became a grandfather for the first time in October 2010, through his daughter Taryn.[31] As of February 2019, he has six grandchildren, who range in age from 2 to 8.[32]

Bolton was introduced to actress Nicollette Sheridan in 1992 by adult contemporary/jazz saxophonist Kenny G.[29] Bolton and Sheridan dated until 1995, stopped dating, then reunited in 2005 and became engaged in March 2006;[29] however, it was confirmed in August 2008 that they had broken off their engagement.[33]

In January 2013, Bolton published an autobiography, The Soul of It All: My Music, My Life.[34][35]

Charity work

The Michael Bolton Foundation

In 1993, Bolton established The Michael Bolton Foundation, later renamed The Michael Bolton Charities, to assist women and children at risk from the effects of poverty as well as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.[36] In the late 1990s the group was heavily criticized for the incredibly low percentage of contributions that went towards charity work. In 1995 only 15% of the 2.6m USD the foundation raised went to charity with most of the funds paying for a concert headlined by Bolton himself.[37] Bolton and the foundation have had a long running relationship with former Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland with Rowland steering state funding to the organization. In 1995 Bolton performed at a fundraiser for Rowland soon after the foundation received a grant of $300,000 from the state.[38] In 2014 Michael Bolton wrote a letter to the Judge overseeing Rowland's sentencing in a campaign coverup trial in the name of the Foundation, stating "We, at The Michael Bolton Charities, believe John Rowland has much to contribute to our community and that given the opportunity, John will continue his work on behalf of women and children at risk."[39] The foundation accepts grant proposals by invitation only.[40]

Other charity work

Bolton also serves as the honorary chairman of Prevent Child Abuse America,[41] the national chairman for This Close for Cancer Research,[42] and a board member for the National Mentoring Partnership[43] and the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.[44]

On July 25, 1993, Michael Bolton played against Michael Jordan in a televised charity softball game at the Chicago White Sox stadium, Comiskey Park. Michael Bolton's team, The Bolton Bombers, won the game 7–1 against Michael Jordan's team, Jordan's Air Force. The Bolton's Bombers were composed of Michael Bolton and his band while the Jordan's Air Force was composed of celebrities including Magic Johnson, Chris Chelios, Ahmad Rashād, Mark Harmon, MC Hammer, Tom Selleck, Stacey King, and Bo Jackson as coach.[45]

In March 2003, Bolton joined with Lifetime Television, Verizon Wireless, and many others to lobby on behalf of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,[46] urging legislation to provide more assistance for victims of domestic violence, such as affordable housing options.

Bolton has received the Lewis Hine Award from the National Child Labor Committee, the Martin Luther King Award from the Congress of Racial Equality, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations.[47] The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce[48] also recognized Bolton with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his musical and charitable contributions.

Discography
Main article: Michael Bolton discography

Since 1975, Bolton has released at least 17 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. He has also released numerous compilation albums and three Christmas albums.

Awards and nominations
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Michael Bolton

Filmography

As actor

As executive producer

See also

References
  1. Ruhlmann, William. "Michael Bolton – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  2. Carbone, Nick (May 9, 2011). "Michael Bolton Hijacks The Lonely Island's Song on 'SNL'". Time. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  3. Mitchell, Justin (October 16, 1990). "Michael Bolton Wins Acclaim With Blue-Eyed-Soul Sound". Deseret News. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  4. Michael Bolton: Biography Archived October 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, The Jewish Historical Society of New Haven, 1998.
  5. Reporter, TWC (June 6, 2014). "Time Warp Turntable Jams: Music 'N' Mullets". Time Warner Cable. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  6. Ferguson, Jon (February 21, 2013). "Michael Bolton may not be hip, but he's happening". Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  7. Iommi, Tony (2011). Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath. Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0306819551.
  8. Runtagh, Jordan (January 22, 2018). "30 Fascinating Early Bands of Future Music Legends". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  9. Buckley, Kelly (February 6, 2014). "Let me put that rumour to bed...I never auditioned for Black Sabbath: Power ballad supremo Michael Bolton on touring with Ozzy". The Echo. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  10. "People Are Talking About . . ". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. January 18, 1988. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  11. "Michael Bolton". Rock on the Net. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  12. "Michael Bolton". Michael Bolton. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  13. "Michael Bolton's love for Jack Sparrow ruins Lonely Island's new hip hop single | Information, Gadgets, Mobile Phones News & Reviews". News.com.au. May 10, 2011. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  14. "Hollywood, Kollywood, Bollywood, it's all good". The New Paper. March 17, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  15. "HSN & The Venetian Ink Concert Deal Featuring Grammy Winner Michael Bolton". Broadway World. January 25, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  16. "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: The IRS (HBO)". HBO. April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  17. Michael Bolton at IMDb
  18. Rheinberger, Joel (April 12, 2012). "Michael Bolton was not in Dune". Nerdzilla. ABC Hobart. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  19. "'Dancing With the Stars' cast unveiled". TODAY.com. Today.com. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  21. MichaelBoltonTV Michael Bolton (April 9, 2018), American Dream: Detroit, retrieved November 5, 2018
  22. Annalise, Frankhttp (May 5, 2018). "Writer". Crain Communications, Inc. Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  23. Billboard. June 27, 1992. p. 13. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  24. "McCook Daily Gazette – Google News Archive Search". January 7, 2016. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016.
  25. "Famous Copyright Infringement Plagiarism cases in Music". Fairwagelawyers.com. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  26. "Frustrated Michael Bolton Ready To Move On". Billboard. January 30, 2001. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  27. Three Boys Music v. Michael Bolton 212 F.3d 477 (9th Cir.2000) Mcir.usc.edu
  28. "Michael Bolton Enjoying Bachelor Life With Girlfriends After Divorce With Wife, Or Busy With Professional Tours?". LIVERAMPUP. November 3, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  29. Michael Bolton : Celebrity : Biography, TV Guide.com.
  30. Baker, K. C. Michael Bolton: Nicollette and I 'Remain Friends', People, September 23, 2008.
  31. Cotliar, Sharon (October 14, 2010). "Michael Bolton Becomes a Grandfather". People.com. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  32. "Why Michael Bolton Isn't Allowed to Put His Grandkids to Bed and More Sweet Stories from Famous Grandparents". People. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  33. "Nicollette Sheridan & Michael Bolton End Engagement". People.com. August 26, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  34. Bickel, Britt (February 20, 2013). "Ten Tidbits From Michael Bolton's Autobiography 'Soul Of It All'". 94.7 The Wave. news.radio.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  35. Bolton, Michael (January 29, 2013). The Soul of It All: My Music, My Life. New York, NY: Center Street. ISBN 978-1455523658.
  36. "The Michael Bolton Charities". The Michael Bolton Charities. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  37. Ryan, Joal. "Michael Bolton Charity Under Fire". E!. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  38. Leigh Cohen, Allison. "Political Memo; The Antagonist Who Barraged Rowland With Criticism". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  39. Vigdor, Neil. "Rowland makes case for leniency". newstimes.com. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  40. "Michael Bolton". insidephilanthropy.com. Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  41. "Prevent Child Abuse America". Preventchildabuse.org. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  42. "Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in America". Thisclose.org. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  43. "Mentor: Expanding the world of quality mentoring". Mentoring.org. December 17, 2008. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  44. "Children's Hospital". Jdch.com. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  45. Jauss, Bill (July 26, 1993). "JORDAN TEAM ROCKED BOLTON BAND GROUNDS BULLS STAR'S AIR FORCE". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois, USA. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  46. "National Coalition Against Domestic Violence". Ncadv.org. May 12, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  47. Neco (December 1, 2004). "Home". NECO. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
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