Michael Bolton rocks Shanghai!

China Daily has three photos from Michael Bolton's performance at the Shanghai Grand Stage last night -- and we can almost hear his vocal cords shredding just looking at them. Here is the caption that ran with the photos:

US singer Michael Bolton, also songwriter and social activist, sings at his China tour Shanghai stop for his Chinese audiences in Shanghai's Grand Stage December 12, 2005. He will then move to Beijing and hold his concert in the Capital Gymnasium on December 14, and then fly to Taipei for another concert two days later. He has sold over 52 million albums and singles worldwide, and has won two Grammys for best male vocalist, and six American Music Awards among many other accolades.

Good to see his PR people could make the trip to China. Go here if you want to see more about that "social activist" part ... and if you want to see a photo of Bolton looking slightly stoned and wearing a Yankees cap. We have no idea how Bolton's Shanghai gig went. None of our friends listen to him, and if they did, we highly doubt they would admit it publicly. But based on this quote from the Shanghai Daily preview, we are certain it was a dandy: "Bolton is very demanding about stage effects," says Jin Yun, a staffer with the local organizer, Shanghai Arts Corp. "He will bring his own seven-piece band, microphones and instruments to Shanghai." Impressive.

One glaring omission from recent stories about Bolton: He's also an accomplished softball player.

Also on Shanghaiist:
Shanghai music aims to silence its critics