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Michael Bolton
Michael Bolton | |
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 Bolton in 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Bolotin |
| Born | February 26, 1953 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1975–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | michaelbolton |
Michael Bolotin[4] (born February 26, 1953), known professionally as Michael Bolton, is an American singer and songwriter. Bolton performed in the hard rock and heavy metal music 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. His early career also saw him as a successful songwriter, co-writing hits like "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan, which he later recorded as a solo single.
Bolton achieved peak recognition as a pop ballad singer in the late 1980s and early 1990s with notable collaborations with songwriters like Diane Warren and Desmond Child. During that time, he covered such songs as Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" and Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman". Despite his commercial success in the adult contemporary genre, Bolton faced criticism for being derivative. In 2000, he faced a controversial legal battle with the Isley Brothers over plagiarism, which resulted in a substantial financial settlement.[5][6]
In later years, he ventured into various other media, including television and film, often appearing as himself. Bolton also participated in Dancing with the Stars and produced the documentary American Dream: Detroit. His personal life includes a long-term relationship and broken engagement with actress Nicollette Sheridan and a 15-year marriage to Maureen McGuire, with whom he has three daughters. Bolton is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly through The Michael Bolton Charities, although he has faced criticism over the way funds raised by the organization have been allocated. He has been recognized for his contributions to music and charity, including receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Bolton has sold more than 75 million records, and recorded 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.[7] He has performed with artists including Lucia Aliberti, Patti LaBelle, José Carreras, Tony Cetinski, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming, Wynonna Judd, B.B. King, The Lonely Island, Luciano Pavarotti, Percy Sledge, and Zucchero.
- ^ a b c Ruhlmann, William. "Michael Bolton – Artist Biography". AllMusic.
- ^ Carbone, Nick (May 9, 2011). "Michael Bolton Hijacks The Lonely Island's Song on 'SNL'". Time.
- ^ Mitchell, Justin (October 16, 1990). "Michael Bolton Wins Acclaim With Blue-Eyed-Soul Sound". Deseret News.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Michael Bolotin". AllMusic.
- ^ Ross, Deborah (May 10, 2013). "Top of the crops: Michael Bolton on critics, crooning and why the mullet had to go". The Independent. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
He has achieved much, for sure, but never critical acclaim.
- ^ Sisario, Ben (April 27, 2023). "Stolen or Original? Hear Songs From 7 Landmark Copyright Cases". The New York Times. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
The jury found that Bolton and a co-author had infringed the older song, and set a damages award of $5.4 million, which was upheld on appeal. Many music experts doubted that there was any significant musical similarity between the two songs, and still point to Three Boys as a key case where a jury got it wrong.
- ^ Ferguson, Jon (February 21, 2013). "Michael Bolton may not be hip, but he's happening". Lancaster Newspapers.
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