Brian and Michael

Brian and Michael was a British music duo consisting of Kevin Parrott and Michael Coleman. The duo is best known for their 1978 UK number one hit single "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs". Before forming Brian and Michael, both members had extensive musical backgrounds. Parrott was the lead guitarist with Manchester rock band Oscar, while Coleman had been part of a Stax-style soul band called The Big Sound. The duo originally formed as Burke and Jerk in 1976, but after Brian Burke left due to family reasons, they renamed themselves Brian and Michael. Their breakthrough came in 1978 with "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs", recorded at Pluto Studios in Stockport. Despite initial struggles to secure a record deal, the song eventually landed them a contract with Pye Records. Following their hit single, they released the album The Matchstalk Men and another single, "Evensong". The duo also collaborated on other chart successes as writers/producers, including Claire and Friends' "It's 'Orrible Being in Love when You're Eight and a Half" (number 13 in 1986). In later years, Parrott and Coleman continued to perform together, forming a new band called The Matchstalk Men. Kevin Parrott passed away from a stroke on October 9, 2023, at the age of 77.

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