Maps of Music

The Hunger (1987)

Where the lyrics of The Hunger take you, and where it was really made.

The Hunger was Michael Bolton's breakthrough, yet it peaked only at No. 46 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified Gold two years after release.

Key places

Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios (1987)

Recording site Sigma Sound Studios — Discogs credits Sigma Sound Studios in New York as one of the recording locations for The Hunger. The album lists several studios as recording places. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Power Station (1987)

Recording site Power Station Studio — Discogs lists Power Station as one of the recording studios credited on The Hunger. The album was recorded across several studios rather than one. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Ground Control Studios (1987)

Recording site Ruby Red — Discogs credits Ground Control Studios in Santa Monica as a recording location for The Hunger. The map point uses the city-center position, so the exact building is not shown. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• The Hunger: fifth studio album by Michael Bolton
• Released in 1987 by Columbia Records, his third album for the label
• Release date 22 September 1987
• Became Bolton's breakthrough album
• Produced his first two US Top 40 hits: 'That's What Love Is All About' and the Otis Redding cover '(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay'

Background

• Marks a shift from the hard rock and arena rock of his earlier work toward a softer, pop-oriented direction
• The transition continued and developed on his later studio albums
• 'Hot Love' keeps the sound of his previous albums
• Journey members Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Neal Schon (guitar) and Randy Jackson (bass) appear on several songs
• Cain also produced several tracks
• Randy Jackson was a previous member from Journey's Raised on Radio 1986-87 tour
• After Steve Perry's initial departure from Journey in early 1987, rumors said Bolton might be in the running as the band's new lead singer
• Former Bolton band-mate Bruce Kulick, then a Kiss guitarist, is featured on certain tracks

Recording

• Recording studios credited: Unique Recording, Soundtrack Studios, MSP Music Studios, Sigma Sound Studios (New York), The Hit Factory, Power Station, Ground Control Studios and Clinton Recording Studio
• Mixing credited to Soundtrack Studios, Right Track Recording, Fantasy Studios and Unique Recording
• Mastering at Masterdisk
• Kevin Elson credited with mixing on tracks 3, 6 and 7

Cover

• Front cover photography by Harris Savides
• Back cover photography by Hans Neleman
• Art direction by Christopher Austopchuk

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born Michael Bolotin on February 26, 1953, in New Haven, Connecticut.
• At age 14 he formed the group the Nomads, which was signed to a singles contract by Epic Records when he was 16.
• Began recording in 1975 at The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, under his original family name Bolotin.
• Early career focused on hard rock; his band Blackjack once opened for Ozzy Osbourne on tour.

Career

• Anglicized his name to Bolton and gained his first major hit as a songwriter, co-writing "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan.
• Recorded his own version of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" in 1988, reaching number one on the Hot 100.
• Achieved peak success as a pop ballad singer in the late 1980s and early 1990s with songwriters such as Diane Warren and Desmond Child.
• Covered Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay" (1987) and Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman," a Grammy-winning cover on the 1991 album Time, Love & Tenderness.
• Faced a plagiarism suit from the Isley Brothers over "Love Is a Wonderful Thing," settled with a $4.2 million payment.
• Has sold more than 75 million records, with eight top 10 albums and two Billboard number-one singles.
• Later worked in television and film, appeared on Dancing with the Stars, and produced the documentary American Dream: Detroit.

Reception

At release

• Circus (May 1988 issue): critic Paul Gallotta noted that Bolton was known mainly for writing songs for other artists, but his powerful blues-influenced vocals kept him from staying in a behind-the-scenes role
• Circus: Gallotta singled out 'That's What Love Is All About', the title track, and the Otis Redding cover as the vocalist's finest work on the album
• Circus: Gallotta praised the technical proficiency and emotional impact of the performance

Records

• US Billboard 200: peaked at number 46
• Chart stability: the album stayed on the charts for a long time despite the low peak
• US: certified Gold after two years, Bolton's first certification of his career
• US: later certified Double Platinum
• UK Albums Chart: entered for the first time in 1990, three years after release, peaking at number 44 following the success of the album Soul Provider

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Otis Redding's widow, Zelma Redding, said Bolton's performance of the Dock of the Bay cover moved her to tears
• Her framed letter hangs on the wall of Bolton's office and calls it her all-time favorite version of her husband's classic
• Marc Anthony covered 'Walk Away' with Little Louie Vega for their 1991 album When the Night is Over
• Sunstorm, fronted by Joe Lynn Turner, covered 'Gina' for their 2012 album Emotional Fire
• Venezuelan rock band Gillman covered 'You're All That I Need' as 'Necesito de ti' for their 1990 album El Regreso del Guerrero

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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