American soft rock superstar Michael Bolton heads to the NIA in October in support of his forthcoming album.

His tour stops off in Birmingham on Wednesday, October 8.

In a career spanning nearly four decades, the multiple Grammy award winner and prolific singer/songwriter has sold more than 53 million albums.

He has enjoyed success as both a performer and songwriter, with musical stars as diverse as Kiss, Cher, Barbra Streisand and Bob Dylan all having performed his songs. His own hits include Soul Provider, How Can We Be Lovers, and That’s What Love Is All About.

Bolton has also shared stages with musical royalty including BB King, Ray Charles and the Three Tenors, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo and the late Luciano Pavarotti.

He says he is especially looking forward to returning to the UK: “I love coming to Britain. British audiences are wonderful – I find them warm and affectionate and particularly vocal when they join in and sing, which is so great.”

Bolton is currently working on a new album with Corrine Bailey Rae’s producer, Steve Chrisanthou.

Born Michael Bolotin, in 1953, he had his first major hit as a songwriter in the early 70s, co-writing How Am I Supposed to Live Without You for Laura Branigan.

He also co-wrote I Found Someone for Branigan in 1985. Her version was only a minor hit, but two years later, Cher’s version became a massive worldwide success.

His best known hit, How Can We Be Lovers, was released in 1990 and he last charted in the US in 1997 with the song Go The Distance, which featured in the Walt Disney film Hercules.

Bolton is engaged to Desperate Housewives and Knots Landing actress Nicollette Sheridan.

The couple previously dated from 1993-1995 and then got back together 10 years later. They performed a duet called The Second Time Around on Bolton’s 2006 album Bolton Swings Sinatra.

Michael Bolton plays at the NIA in Birmingham on Wednesday October 8. Tickets cost £38.50 plus booking fee and are available on 0871 945 6000 or at www.theticketfactory.com.

Also see www.michaelbolton.com