Michael Bolton’s life-saving surgery for brain tumour
POWER ballad singer Michael Bolton has revealed he has had surgery for a brain tumour.
The 70-year-old American performer, as famous for his 1990s ‘blue-eyed soul’ hits as for his mane of curly blond hair, revealed the diagnosis to fans on social media.
He said that before Christmas doctors found a tumour that needed immediate surgery. He will now take a break from touring while he recuperates.
Bolton, who has sold 75million records worldwide, 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 tumour, 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.’
The Grammy award-winning singer said he will be taking a temporary break from touring to focus his ‘time and energy’ on recovery.
Bolton, who lives in Connecticut, did not share how long he expected the break to last, though he had several upcoming shows scheduled throughout America, Europe and London in July.
‘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,’ he said.
He added that he was ‘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’s hits include How Am I Supposed to Live Without You and Said I Loved You… But I Lied.
He started out singing heavy rock songs in the 1970s as frontman for a band called Blackjack, but changed his style to soul singing in the late 1980s, scoring hits with remakes of classics such as Percy Sledge’s When A Man Loves A Woman. Last year he released two new albums, Spark Of Light and Christmas Time.
Bolton had three daughters, Isa, Holly and Taryn, with ex-wife Maureen McGuire, a former dancer and yoga instructor, to whom he was married from
1975 to 1990. He has six grandchildren.
‘I am working hard to return to performing’