View full sizeMichael Bolton will be performing at the Strand Theatre on Feb. 26, 2013.It's not everyday that a music legend celebrates his birthday in the midstate. Such will be the case on Feb. 26, when Michael Bolton will be celebrating his 60th birthday with a crowd of fans at the Strand Theatre in York.
The multi-Grammy award winner singer will be performing classic hits including "Time, Love and Tenderness," "Georgia On My Mind," and "How Can We Be Lovers."
As he geared up for the York show, Bolton spared a few moments to reveal his thoughts on his old iconic hairstyle, share his greatest piece of wisdom and give a bit of love advice.
1. First off, happy early birthday! What made you decide to perform on the special day - surely that's a day you're allowed to take as a vacation?
Thank you! Yes, this is a big year, birthday wise. Except for being with my girls at home, there is nothing I would rather be doing than performing (maybe playing golf…)
I have celebrated my birthday with fans and friends all over the world, on stage, and I’m always surprised by how many people know and I get gifts and shouts and singing and crazy things happen on stage.
2. Are there any special plans for your birthday? Will there be a giant cake onstage? A crowd driven "Happy Birthday" sing-a-long?
Well, there are no plans that I know of, but my band and crew will no doubt pull something off. We celebrate one another’s birthdays on the road and I do my part to help keep the person celebrating off guard. So I’m sure some one has pay back in mind…
3. They say, as we get older, we get wiser. Would you agree with this statement? And if so, what is the best piece of wisdom you can offer our readers?
I do agree. We get wiser and hopefully, more understanding and aware of other’s needs.
I know that giving back by helping someone else is the most gratifying way to use your wisdom, but I would say not to give up on your dream, no matter what your age, and that a happy, successful life requires sacrifices and perseverance and focus. You can never get complacent - that’s when you feel old.
4. What inspired you to create Michael Bolton Charities? Do you have any plans to widen the charity's focus to areas outside of Connecticut and New York?
We formed the MBC as a way of channeling all of the requests I received by other charities and causes through one source. It became clear that children and women at risk, who are often victims without voices, needed our help in raising awareness and enacting legislation to protect them and give them the opportunity to experience the very basic rights of freedom and happiness. The MBC evolved quickly in this direction, but we are always expanding. We currently have national partnerships and projects and partner internationally as well.
5. Is there a new album in the works? If so - do you plan on incorporating hip-hop elements a la "Jack Sparrow"?
I always have new projects I am working on: CDs, books, Broadway musicals, film and screenplays. Some of my previous music has incorporated hip hop artists and influence, but full on rapping… well, I can’t rule anything out now that I have worked with The Lonely Island Guys. We’ll have to see…
6. Do you ever find yourself missing the long flowing locks of the 90s? Or is that a haircut that makes you cringe today?
I do miss those days, sometimes. But I don’t cringe when I look back at that look, that hair, because it a huge was part of my 20 plus years of “overnight success” and who I was as an individual and as an artist.
7. Can one be a lover, if one cannot be a friend?
No. I am a hopeless romantic and I truly believe that true love cannot exist without a strong base of friendship and understanding. Those are the qualities that keep people together for a long time.
