Bolton Michael

American singer, international superstar and social activist. Blessed with an incomparable voice, Michael has become one of the best-known recording artists in the world, selling more than 50 million albums and singles during his career. With two Grammys for Best Male Vocalist, six American Music Awards, a string of No.1 hits (including over one hundred songs that he has written for other world-renowned artists), and many humanitarian and industry awards to his credit, Bolton continues to perform sold-out concerts for millions of fans around the globe, bringing his warmly-familiar signature four-octave range to soul-stirring interpretations of some of the most popular songs of a generation. The youngest son of Democratic Party official George Bolotin, he grew up idolizing such pioneers of R&B as Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, and Otis Redding. By age 15, Michael had signed his first record deal, plugging the power of his voice into Connecticut bar bands before he was even technically allowed in a bar. He spent the 1970s honing his skills and his sensibility in a series of solo and group albums and began preparing to make his mark in the charts. In 1978, he formed a hard rock combo, and had his first major success as a songwriter in 1983. For several years he composed for other performers, playing guitar and singing himself. A prolific and diverse songwriter, Michael has seen his songs recorded by an astonishing array of renowned artists. Michael has written songs for Barbra Streisand, KISS, Joe Cocker , Kenny Rogers, Cher and Kenny G and Peabo Bryson. While he was churning out emotional hits for others, someone noticed he had a pretty stirring voice himself on those demo tapes. With long hair flowing and a strong chin, he became a middle-of-the-road matinee idol, a Fabio for former Barry Manilow fans. His over-the-top style (and penchant for re-making classic soul songs) earned him sneers from critics and swoons from his fans. In 1983, he changed his name to Michael Bolton, signed to Columbia Records as a solo act, and relaunched his career. By 1988 he sang his own songs on TV and began his recording career. In April 1988 he was voted Best R&B vocalist of the year and from then moved steadily upward with tours, records and awards. In 1992, his "Timeless (The Classics)," became a multi-platinum-selling collection of some of the songs that inspired Michael Bolton to pick up a pen and a microphone in the first place. "It was a labor of love." He said, "I had no idea it was going to become so successful." (That album has sold nearly eight million copies.) While on tour, Michaels softball team -- Boltons Bombers -- raises funds for charity by competing against local radio stations and league teams the day before, on, or after a show. The team is made up mostly of band and crew members with Michael positioned at third base (the "hot corner") and "one of the power hitters." Softball is one of Michaels great extracurricular passions and, in 1993, he released an instructional video -- "Michael Boltons Winning Softball: Hit Harder, Play Smarter" -- with Bomber coach and softball legend Dave Carroll. The name of the Boltons Bombers game is charity and Michael is tireless in his devotion to worthy causes which include Pediatric AIDS, different diseases, racial advancement, Cystic Fibrosis, cancer research and more. In 1993, he established the Michael Bolton Foundation which, in 1998, became The Michael Bolton Charities, Inc. for which he Read less