Michael started piano lessons at age eight and singing soon afterwards. At junior school he sang in the school chapel choir for five years. Conflicting interests in sport - representing the school at swimming and athletics - was a pattern that continued to punctuate Michael’s commitment to music. On leaving school he went straight into the family scrap metal business, and this, coupled with a passion for racing Merlin Rocket sailing dinghies and a heavy involvement with Ealing Round Table further frustrated a musical career.

However, in 1975 Michael found a music teacher - Mrs. Eileen Burrows - with whom he studied, with few lapses, for twenty years.

He joined West London Barbershop Chorus in 1994 but left after a year due to work commitments. The friends he made there encouraged him to join The Royal Harmonics a cappella chorus in February 2006.

For Michael, rediscovering the fun of music making is great, and he says his musical enjoyment has been reborn thanks to those now around him.