Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Orrin Bolotin |
| Also known as | Orrin Bolton (performing name) |
| Born | 22 August 1949 |
| Died | 2 March 2023 |
| Birthplace | New Haven, Connecticut, USA |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter, manager, activist |
| Genres | Rock, blues, reggae, roots |
| Active years | 1960s – 2023 |
| Notable releases | OB (1998), Freedom (2000), Liv’n Like a Man (2011), “Ain’t About Love” (2013) |
| Family highlights | Son: Oliver Yaakov Bolotin; Siblings: Michael Bolotin (Michael Bolton), Sandra Bolotin; Parents: Helen Lila Gubin Bolotin, George Bolotin |
Early life and the making of a wanderer
On August 22, 1949, Orrin Bolotin was born in New Haven. He heeded the call as he grew up in the 1960s, a decade that opened doors and new ideas. He left home as a teenager to travel throughout Europe and Asia, a pattern of travel that influenced his attitude and sound. Like a worn-out but sturdy guitar pick, the voice developed over those years of traveling education was both restless and rooted.
In his genesis narrative, numbers are important: Helen Lila Gubin Bolotin (1919–2015) and George Bolotin (d. 1981) had three children. The family’s home was musical and civic-minded, and they lived in Westville, Connecticut. The foundation for a life that intertwined the private and the public was laid by those two currents: music and community involvement.
Family portrait – introductions and roles
| Relation | Name | Role and public details |
|---|---|---|
| Mother | Helen Lila Gubin Bolotin (1919 – 2015) | Matriarch of the Bolotin household; described as an early musical influence and mother of three. |
| Father | George Bolotin (died 1981) | Local figure with community involvement; father of Orrin, Sandra and Michael. |
| Sister | Sandra Bolotin | Sibling listed in family obituaries and profiles; part of the sibling trio. |
| Brother | Michael Bolotin (professionally Michael Bolton) | Internationally known singer-songwriter; Orrin was the older brother and early collaborator in promotional and management efforts. |
| Son | Oliver Yaakov Bolotin | Publicly identified as Orrin’s son; participated in memorial posts and family remembrances. |
| Grandchildren and other descendants | Multiple | Obituaries and family pages list several grandchildren and great-grandchildren connected to the Bolotin family. |
Orrin appears in public records as the bridge between the family home and the wider world. He helped shape his younger brother Michael’s early career through hands-on promotion and informal management. He fathered at least one son named Oliver, who later appeared in memorial posts. The family tree is compact in numbers and expansive in influence.
Musical life – records, performances, and a DIY ethic
Orrin released independent records across decades, favoring self-driven projects over mainstream machinery. Key entries include the 1998 release OB, the 2000 album Freedom, and later works such as Liv’n Like a Man (2011) and the single “Ain’t About Love” (2013). His music sits at the confluence of blues grit, reggae rhythm, and rock candor.
Table – Selected discography and year
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1998 | OB |
| 2000 | Freedom |
| 2011 | Liv’n Like a Man |
| 2013 | “Ain’t About Love” (single) |
He performed in local venues and released material via small labels and self-publishing channels. His approach was artisanal – a craftsman making records in a workshop rather than a factory. Songwriting credits occasionally intersect with his family name, and he maintained a presence on streaming platforms and video sites, where niche audiences continued to find his voice.
Career beyond records – management, activism, and public presence
Orrin wasn’t limited to the stage. He helped manage and publicize his brother Michael’s early endeavors in the 1970s and 1980s, laying the foundation for Michael’s success in the future. Orrin was portrayed in this role as a low-key architect rather than a prominent one.
In line with grassroots organizations and public discussions regarding policy change, he also became involved in activism, particularly in relation to Connecticut’s cannabis law reform. He was depicted in public profiles as a traveler and cultural nomad who turned his experiences into songs and acts of civic engagement.
Private individual financial disclosure is intentionally limited. Estimates of Orrin Bolotin’s net worth are not appropriate or reasonable, because there is no trustworthy public record that measures it. It is evident that he was largely involved in community activism and independent music ecosystems rather than corporate music empires.
Timeline – pivotal dates and milestones
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 22 August 1949 | Birth in New Haven, Connecticut |
| 1960s – 1970s | Youthful travels across Europe and Asia; early musical activity |
| Late 1970s – early 1980s | Returned to the U.S.; collaborated in early promotional work for Michael Bolotin |
| 1998 | Release of OB |
| 2000 | Release of Freedom |
| 2011 | Release of Liv’n Like a Man |
| 2013 | Release of single “Ain’t About Love” |
| 2015 | Death of mother, Helen Lila Gubin Bolotin |
| 2 March 2023 | Orrin Bolotin’s death |
Dates here are anchors. They map a life that moved in cycles between long journeys and local commitments, between studio sessions and community halls. They tell of a person who threaded the personal and public into a single, lived narrative.
Style and legacy in a sentence
Orrin Bolotin’s music reads like a travel journal set to chords – the blunt honesty of blues, the sway of reggae, the clarity of a road map drawn by hand. His legacy is not in platinum plaques but in the small, stubborn acts of creation and the family scaffolding he helped erect.
FAQ
Who was Orrin Bolotin?
Orrin Bolotin was a New Haven-born musician, songwriter, and occasional manager known for independent recordings and early support of his brother Michael’s career.
What is his relationship to Michael Bolton?
Orrin was Michael Bolton’s older brother and an early promoter and informal manager during Michael’s formative years.
What music did he release?
He released several independent records including OB (1998), Freedom (2000), Liv’n Like a Man (2011), and the single “Ain’t About Love” (2013).
Did he engage in activism?
Yes, Orrin was involved in cannabis law reform efforts in Connecticut and participated in local advocacy.
When did he die?
Orrin Bolotin died on 2 March 2023.
Is his financial standing publicly known?
No reliable public records disclose Orrin Bolotin’s net worth or personal finances.
