History of Michael Bolton in Timeline
Michael Bolton (born Michael Bolotin) is an American singer and songwriter. He began his career in the hard rock and heavy metal genres, performing solo and as the frontman of the band Blackjack. Bolton achieved early success as a songwriter, co-writing hits like "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan, which he later recorded himself.
February 26, 1953: Michael Bolotin's Birth
On February 26, 1953, Michael Bolotin, later known as Michael Bolton, was born. He is an American singer and songwriter known for his work in multiple genres.
1966: Release of "Love Is a Wonderful Thing" by the Isley Brothers
In 1966, the Isley Brothers released their song "Love Is a Wonderful Thing", which later became central to a plagiarism lawsuit against Michael Bolton.
1975: Married Maureen McGuire
In 1975, Michael Bolton married Maureen McGuire.
1975: First Recording
In 1975, Michael Bolton started his recording career at The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, releasing a self-titled album under his original family name, Bolotin.
1975: Started Releasing Music
Since 1975, Michael Bolton has released 24 studio albums and 35 singles.
1980: "Maybe It's the Power of Love" Release
In 1980, Michael Bolton co-wrote and released "Maybe It's the Power of Love" with his band Blackjack.
1983: Co-wrote "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan
In 1983, Michael Bolton co-wrote "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan, which became a major hit, reaching number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.
1983: Black Sabbath Audition Rumor
In 1983, there was a rumor that Michael Bolton auditioned for the lead vocalist position with Black Sabbath, but Bolton later denied this, stating that the rumor was unfounded.
1984: Rumored Extra Appearance in Dune
In 1984, there was a rumor that Michael Bolton appeared as an extra in the movie Dune, but he has denied it in interviews.
1985: Co-wrote "I Found Someone" for Laura Branigan
In 1985, Michael Bolton co-wrote "I Found Someone" for Laura Branigan, although her version had limited success.
1987: Chart Success
From 1987 to 1995, Michael Bolton achieved significant success on the U.S. charts, with four top ten albums and seven top ten songs.
1987: Released "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay"
In 1987, Michael Bolton released his interpretation of Otis Redding's classic "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay", which became one of his first major hits.
1988: Released Own Rendition of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You"
In 1988, Michael Bolton released his own rendition of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," which reached number one on the Hot 100.
1989: Released "Georgia on My Mind"
In 1989, Michael Bolton had a hit with his version of "Georgia on My Mind", a song associated with Ray Charles.
1990: Divorced Maureen McGuire
In 1990, Michael Bolton and Maureen McGuire divorced.
1991: Released "Time, Love & Tenderness" album
In 1991, Michael Bolton released the album "Time, Love & Tenderness" featuring his Grammy Award-winning cover version of "When a Man Loves a Woman".
1991: Release of "Love Is a Wonderful Thing"
In 1991, Michael Bolton released the hit song "Love Is a Wonderful Thing", which later became the subject of a plagiarism lawsuit.
1992: Introduced to Nicollette Sheridan
In 1992, Michael Bolton was introduced to actress Nicollette Sheridan by Kenny G.
1992: Lawsuit Filed by the Isley Brothers
In 1992, the Isley Brothers filed a lawsuit against Michael Bolton, claiming his 1991 hit song "Love Is a Wonderful Thing" plagiarized their 1966 song of the same name.
July 25, 1993: Charity Softball Game Against Michael Jordan
On July 25, 1993, Michael Bolton played against Michael Jordan in a televised charity softball game at Comiskey Park, with Bolton's team winning.
1993: Established The Michael Bolton Foundation
In 1993, Michael Bolton established The Michael Bolton Foundation to assist women and children at risk.
1995: Chart Success
From 1987 to 1995, Michael Bolton achieved significant success on the U.S. charts, with four top ten albums and seven top ten songs.
1995: First Breakup with Nicollette Sheridan
In 1995, Michael Bolton and Nicollette Sheridan broke up after dating.
1995: Performed at Fundraiser for John G. Rowland
In 1995, Michael Bolton performed at a fundraiser for Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland after The Michael Bolton Foundation received a grant of $300,000 from the state.
1995: Criticism of The Michael Bolton Foundation
In 1995, The Michael Bolton Foundation was criticized for the low percentage of contributions that went towards charity work.
1997: Cameo in Meet Wally Sparks
In 1997, Michael Bolton made a cameo appearance in the film "Meet Wally Sparks".
1997: Released "Go the Distance"
In 1997, Michael Bolton released "Go the Distance" from the Disney movie Hercules, which became his last Top 40 single in the US and reached No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart.
1998: Cameo in The Nanny
In 1998, Michael Bolton made a cameo appearance in the television series "The Nanny".
2000: Plagiarism Lawsuit with the Isley Brothers
In 2000, Michael Bolton faced a legal battle with the Isley Brothers over plagiarism claims, resulting in a substantial financial settlement. The Isley Brothers claimed the song "Love Is a Wonderful Thing" plagiarized their 1966 song of the same name.
2001: Hired Larry Baird for Tour
In 2001, Michael Bolton hired Larry Baird as the orchestral musical director, conductor, and arranger for his tour.
2001: Released "Only a Woman Like You"
In 2001, Michael Bolton released the album "Only a Woman Like You", with the title song co-written by Shania Twain.
March 2003: Lobbied on Behalf of National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
In March 2003, Michael Bolton joined with Lifetime Television, Verizon Wireless, and others to lobby on behalf of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
2004: Song Sampled by Kanye West
In 2004, Kanye West sampled the 1980 Blackjack song "Maybe It's the Power of Love", co-written and performed by Michael Bolton, for his song "Never Let Me Down".
2005: Reunion with Nicollette Sheridan
In 2005, Michael Bolton and Nicollette Sheridan reunited after previously breaking up.
March 2006: Engagement to Nicollette Sheridan
In March 2006, Michael Bolton became engaged to Nicollette Sheridan after reuniting in 2005.
August 2006: Appeared on Celebrity Duets
In August 2006, Michael Bolton appeared on the Fox program "Celebrity Duets" as a duet partner with Lucy Lawless.
2006: Duet with Nicollette Sheridan
In 2006, Michael Bolton and Nicollette Sheridan, his fiancée at the time, sang a duet, "The Second Time Around", for the album Bolton Swings Sinatra.
March 2007: Toured South Africa
In March 2007, Michael Bolton toured South Africa for the first time, headlining a two-day concert.
August 2008: Broke Off Engagement with Nicollette Sheridan
In August 2008, Michael Bolton and Nicollette Sheridan broke off their engagement.
2008: Performed at Sanremo Music Festival
In 2008, Michael Bolton performed a duet entitled "Il Mio Amico" with Anna Tatangelo at the Sanremo Music Festival.
September 21, 2009: Released "One World One Love" in the UK
On September 21, 2009, Michael Bolton released his album "One World One Love" in the UK, with the single "Just One Love" released a week earlier.
September 2010: Competed on Dancing with the Stars
In September 2010, Michael Bolton was a contestant on the 11th season of Dancing with the Stars.
September 28, 2010: Elimination from Dancing with the Stars
On September 28, 2010, Michael Bolton and his dance partner were the second couple to be eliminated from the 11th season of Dancing with the Stars.
October 2010: Became a Grandfather
In October 2010, Michael Bolton became a grandfather for the first time through his daughter Taryn.
May 2011: Featured on The Lonely Island's "Jack Sparrow"
In May 2011, Michael Bolton was featured as a guest vocalist in The Lonely Island's song "Jack Sparrow".
June 2011: Collaboration with A. R. Rahman
In June 2011, Michael Bolton collaborated with Indian musician A. R. Rahman for a song recorded for "Gems – The Duets Collection".
2012: Cameo in Two and a Half Men
In 2012, Michael Bolton made a cameo appearance in the television series "Two and a Half Men".
January 2013: Published Autobiography
In January 2013, Michael Bolton published his autobiography, "The Soul of It All: My Music, My Life".
2013: Released "Ain't No Mountain High Enough: A Tribute to Hitsville U.S.A."
In 2013, Michael Bolton released the album "Ain't No Mountain High Enough: A Tribute to Hitsville U.S.A.", featuring duets with various artists.
2013: Honda Commercials
In late 2013, Michael Bolton appeared in Honda commercials where he sang.
2014: Wrote Letter in Support of John G. Rowland
In 2014, Michael Bolton wrote a letter in support of John G. Rowland, who was about to be sentenced for fraud.
2014: Honda Commercials
In early 2014, Michael Bolton appeared in Honda commercials where he sang.
2015: Appearance on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
In 2015, Michael Bolton sang on an episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" about the IRS.
2016: Appeared in Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
In 2016, Michael Bolton appeared in The Lonely Island's film "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping", also contributing to the soundtrack.
July 27, 2018: Teen Titans Go! To the Movies
On July 27, 2018, Michael Bolton contributed to "Teen Titans Go! To the Movies," providing songs and voice acting for the film.
February 2019: Had Six Grandchildren
As of February 2019, Michael Bolton had six grandchildren.
2021: Guest Starred on The Masked Singer
In 2021, Michael Bolton guest-starred on season six of "The Masked Singer", performing with Faith Evans.
March 21, 2022: American Song Contest Performance
On March 21, 2022, Michael Bolton represented Connecticut in the American Song Contest, performing the song "Beautiful World".
December 2023: Emergency Brain Tumor Surgery
Before the December 2023 holidays, Michael Bolton underwent emergency surgery for a brain tumor, as revealed in January 2024.
2023: Competed on The Masked Singer
In 2023, Michael Bolton competed in season nine of "The Masked Singer" as "Wolf", promoting his upcoming album after being eliminated.
January 2024: Brain Tumor Surgery Announcement
In January 2024, Michael Bolton announced that he had undergone emergency surgery for a brain tumor before the December 2023 holidays and would take a break from touring for the rest of the year.
