Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton is a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and humanitarian. His career took off in the late 1980s and early 1990s with chart-topping hits like “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” “Said I Loved You... But I Lied,” and his cover of “When a Man Loves a Woman.” With his distinctive raspy vocals, Bolton's songs resonated with listeners worldwide, leading to the sale of over 75 million records. This includes eight top 10 albums and two number-one singles on the Billboard charts.

Bolton's journey in music began in the mid-1970s as a hard rock singer with the band Blackjack. This included a stint with guitarist Bruce Kulick, who later joined KISS. Over time, Bolton transitioned to softer music genres, delivering pop and soul-influenced ballads that resonated with a wider audience. His 1989 album "Soul Provider" was instrumental in catapulting his career, securing multiple hits and two Grammy Awards. His last Top 40 single in the US was "Go the Distance" from "Hercules," which peaked at No. 1 on the US adult contemporary chart. He has continued to release albums and perform, with his recent albums including "Only a Woman Like You" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough: A Tribute to Hitsville U.S.A."

As a songwriter, Bolton has penned songs for multiple renowned artists such as Barbra Streisand, Cher, and Kenny Rogers. His songwriting versatility covers a wide array of genres, including pop, rock, and R&B. Over the years, Bolton has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti, Celine Dion, A. R. Rahman, and Bob Dylan. He performed duets with Nicollette Sheridan and Anna Tatangelo, and annotated Kanye West's song "Never Let Me Down" for The Fader.

Branching out from music, Bolton has demonstrated his acting chops, making appearances in films and television series, including "Meet Wally Sparks," "Two and a Half Men," and "The Nanny." He participated in the television show "Dancing with the Stars" and was a competitor in season nine of "The Masked Singer" in 2023. More notably, he produced and premiered the documentary "American Dream: Detroit" in 2018, a project focusing on the city's economic comeback. Bolton penned an autobiography, "The Soul of It All: My Music, My Life," in January 2013, offering insights into his life and career.

A committed philanthropist, Bolton founded The Michael Bolton Charities in 1993, specifically to support women and children at risk from poverty and abuse. His philanthropic contributions have been recognized with awards such as the Lewis Hine Award, the Martin Luther King Award, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. In addition, Bolton holds a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as of October 25, 2019, a testament to his contributions to music and charity.