Michael Bolton on Being Loved by Millions, Hated by Critics and Made Cool by SNL's Lonely Island

Posted on Nov 9th 2011 2:00PM by Graham Runciman

Michael Bolton Sony Music

Despite what his wonderfully disciplined vocal chords might suggest, Michael Bolton wants you to know that he still knows how to let loose. "I've been the wiseguy who's been in the principle's office all my life. I've been up to my ears in trouble with the establishment. So it's funny to be perceived as serious or too serious about just about anything," Bolton tells AOL Music.

His recent collaboration with the Lonely Island in 'Jack Sparrow' doesn't come as a surprise then, but rather a welcome opportunity for Bolton to show a different side of himself to a new audience without, he says, "offending every person who has ever bought a record of mine."

Fresh from the stage at Ontario's Casino Rama where he performed songs from his new album, 'Gems: The Duets Collection,' Bolton sat down with AOL to discuss the pitfalls of mainstream success, donning the pirate garb -- not to mention Erin Brockovich's leopard print blouse (a moment he calls "traumatic") for the 'Jack Sparrow' video, and why he decided to step out of his comfort zone as a soft rock balladeer.

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