Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton, born Michael Bolotin on February 26, 1953, is an American singer and songwriter renowned for his powerful, soulful voice and his string of adult contemporary hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Before finding solo stardom, he spent the mid-1970s to mid-1980s fronting the hard rock band Blackjack and pursuing a solo career in harder rock styles, while also building a parallel reputation as a successful songwriter, penning hits for other artists including «How Am I Supposed to Live Without You», later recorded by Laura Branigan before Bolton made it his own signature single.

Bolton’s reinvention as a blue-eyed soul and adult contemporary balladeer defined his commercial peak, with hits such as «When a Man Loves a Woman», «Said I Loved You... But I Lied», and «Soul Provider» showcasing his gospel- and R&B-influenced vocal power. His interpretations of soul and R&B standards, alongside his own compositions, made him one of the most successful male vocalists of his era on adult contemporary and pop charts.

Beyond his hit singles, Bolton has explored orchestral pop, standards, and even opera-adjacent projects later in his career, while remaining active as a songwriter and collaborator across genres. His distinctive raspy, emotive delivery and his ability to reinterpret classic soul material for mainstream pop audiences remain the defining traits of his musical identity.