He’s going the distance: Michael Bolton talks ahead of Birmingham gig
Grammy Award winning Michael Bolton will return to the UK for the first time in over two years to perform his greatest hits and a selection of classic songs. He will headline Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on Monday for a sell-out gig.
Michael’s the multiple award-winning singer, songwriter and social activist, who has sold more than 65 million albums and singles worldwide. He continues to tour the world every year, all while writing, recording and taping for a wide array of projects spanning music, film, television and branded entertainment. He also remains committed to social cause, especially to his foundation The Michael Bolton Charities, now in its 25th year.
In recognition of his artistic achievements, Michael won two Grammys for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance (nominated four times), six American Music Awards, and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As a songwriter, he has earned more than 24 BMI & ASCAP Awards, including Songwriter of the Year, nine Million-Air awards, and the Hitmakers Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
To date, Michael has seen nine studio albums rank in the top 10 and nine number one singles. His most recent album Songs of Cinema, a selection of iconic film soundtrack songs, was released alongside an original Netflix production Michael Bolton’s Big Sexy Valentine’s Day Special, which ranked among the network’s best comedies upon debut.
Michael is currently completing a feature documentary film, American Dream: Detroit, which pays homage to the Motorcity and is to be released later this year.
Known for his soulful voice and poignant lyrics, his timeless charm and good looks have also earned him several comedic appearances on Saturday Night Live, Two and a Half Men, Fresh off the Boat, Glee and hit series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. In his recent autobiography, The Soul of it All (Hachette/Center Street), Michael states he is just teeing off on the back nine of his career.
Michael’s signature success was seized with the album Soul Provider, selling more than 12.5 million copies world-wide, and showcasing several chart-toppers including the number one hit single How Am I Supposed to Live Without You, which earned Michael his first Grammy. This pivotal album also includes the hit singles When I’m Back on My Feet Again, How Can We Be Lovers, Soul Provider, and of course the Grammy-nominated Georgia on My Mind.
Soon after, Bolton released the number one album Time, Love & Tenderness, which has sold more than 16 million copies world-wide, and features his Grammy Award-winning vocal performance of the number one blockbuster hit When A Man Loves a Woman. This album also produced the hit singles: Love Is a Wonderful Thing, Time, Love and Tenderness and Missing You Now.
Fans in Birmingham can look forward to a slew of greatest hits as Michael and his band change things up most nights so that they can keep the show fresh and stay on their toes. “We are always changing it up from one audience to the next. The only thing you get tired of if you’ve been out on the road too long is the travel, that’s when everything starts to wear on you.”
