Michael Bolton was born Michael Bolotin on February 26, 1954 in New Haven, Connecticut, to George and Helen Bolotin.

He began his career in RCA Records when he was 22 and recorded his first self-entitled album ‘Michael Bolotin’ in 1975. His second album was entitled ‘Every Day Of My Life’.

After leaving RCA Records, in 1979, Michael assembled a rock band called ‘Blackjack’ whose line-up contained Bruce Kulick on guitars, Jimmy Haslip on bass and Sandy Genaro on drums. The band was short-lived, and yet managed to release two albums in succession ‘Blackjack’ and ‘Worlds Apart’.

Resuming his solo career in the beginning of the 80’s, Michael Bolotin renamed himself Michael Bolton and released his first record — ‘Michael Bolton’.

His style remained that of rock/ pop but the success wasn’t what he would expect. After one more rock album ‘Everybody’s Crazy’ in 1985, Michael put out his first successful work ‘The Hunger’ in 1987. The album contained the hit “That’s What Love Is All About” a romantic ballad that began uplifting his career, showing his special talent for that sort of interpretation.

But the greatest work came only in 1989. ‘Soul Provider’ contained a string of hits and potential Grammy nominees having won the Award with “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” such as “Soul Provider”, “Georgia On My Mind,” “How Can We Be Lovers” and “You Wouldn’t Know Love”.

From then on, Michael began climbing up the ladder of success in an astonishing way. His 1990’s ‘Time, Love And Tenderness’ provided hits such as the title track “Missing You Now” in which he had a partnership with Kenny G. Its follow-up would come out in 1992, with surprising news: ‘Timeless — The Classics’ presented only his own readings of great songs such as “Yesterday”, “You Send Me” and “White Christmas”.

In 1996, Bolton released two albums: ‘Thinking Of You’ and his much expected Christmas album ‘This Is The Time — The Christmas Album’. At the same time, he took part in the soundtrack of the movie ‘Only You’ having contributed with the song “Once In Lifetime” and of Disney’s ‘Hercules’ with the song “Go The Distance”.

Over the course of his extraordinary career, Bolton — singer, songwriter, and social activist has sold over 52 million albums and singles worldwide, and has won two Grammys and six American Music Awards among many other accolades. Michael received a star at Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.

In his new album, ‘Vintage’, Bolton turned to the pop standards of the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s for his 22nd album. With such legendary songs as “All The Way”, “A Kiss To Build A Dream On”, “The Very Thought of You”, “When I Fall in Love” and “Smile”, he brings to life the essence of pop music.

A prolific songwriter, he has penned songs for artistes including Barbra Streisand, KISS, Kenny Rogers, Kenny G, Cher, Peabo Bryson, Patti Labelle, among many others. He has also co-written songs with a host of gifted songwriters including Bob Dylan, BabyFace and Diane Warren, and performed with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Renee Fleming, Patti Labelle, Ray Charles, Percy Sledge, Wynonna Judd, and BB King.

Michael married Maureen in 1975 and they got separated in 1990. In 1993, he established the Michael Bolton Foundation, now the Michael Bolton Charities, Inc, to provide assistance, education and shelter to children and women at risk from poverty and abuse.