A-Z songs by Michael Bolton

About Michael Bolton

Michael Bolotin (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 later became his own chart-topper.

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. He gained fame for his covers of soul classics, including Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" and Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman". Bolton’s rendition of these songs received praise, including from Redding's widow. Despite his commercial success in the adult contemporary genre, Bolton's work was sometimes criticized as derivative, and he faced a significant legal battle with the Isley Brothers over plagiarism, which resulted in a substantial financial settlement.

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 brief marriage to Maureen McGuire, with whom he has three daughters. Bolton is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly through The Michael Bolton Charities, despite criticism over the allocation of funds raised. 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. 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.