Michael Bolton is recovering from brain surgery following the discovery of a brain tumor that was discovered just before the 2023 holiday season. The popular singer of such pop rock hits as “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” and “How Can We Be Lovers?” shared the news on his Facebook page on Friday night (January 5, 2024). He described the surgery as “a success.”
In the post Bolton, 70, wrote, “I want to start by wishing everyone a very happy and healthy new year! I also want to share that 2023 ended up presenting me with some very unexpected challenges. Just before the holidays, it was discovered that I had a brain tumor, which required immediate surgery. Thanks to my incredible medical team, the surgery was a success. I am now recuperating at home and surrounded by the tremendous love and support of my family. For the next couple of months, I will be devoting my time and energy to my recovery which means I’ll have to take a temporary break from touring. It is always the hardest thing for me to ever disappoint my fans or postpone a show, but have no doubt I am working hard to accelerate my recovery and get back to performing soon. I am beyond grateful for all the love and support you have so generously shown me through the years. Know that I’m keeping your positive messages in my heart, and I’ll give you more updates as soon as I can. Much love always, MB”
Bolton, born Michael Bolotin on February 26, 1953, in New Haven, Conn., has earned two Grammy Awards and sold over 75 million records. His three consecutive albums from 1989, 1991, and 1992, have sold over 12 million, 16 million, and 7 million copies worldwide, respectively. He has written or co-written many of his own big singles, and also recorded hit versions of such classics as “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” and “When a Man Loves a Woman.”
Watch Bolton perform “When a Man Loves a Woman” in 2023
Bolton has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, all for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, winning for “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” in 1990 and “When a Man Loves a Woman” in 1992.
When he first started out, Bolton fronted a rock band, Blackjack, that also included Bruce Kulick. Bolton’s first success as a songwriter was for Laura Branigan who recorded his “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” in 1983. Several years later, Cher had a top 10 single with his song “I Found Someone.” His songs have also been recorded by Barbra Streisand, Joe Cocker, Kenny Rogers, Gregg Allman, Patti LaBelle, Kenny G., The Pointer Sisters, and numerous others. Bolton later collaborated with Bob Dylan on “Steel Bars.” In 2023, he released his first studio album in four years, Spark of Light. He published an autobiography, The Soul of It All: My Music, My Life, in 2013.
As he noted in his Facebook post, his busy 2024 calendar has been postponed. A tour of the U.S. and Canada with scattered dates in Europe and the U.K., was scheduled to begin on Feb. 1.
