matchstick men and cats and dogs

[acedaddad123]

who sang this song in 1978

[smoothfield]

Brian & Michael

[astondog]

Micheal Colman and Brian Burke in 1977.

[RevShirls]

with backing vocals by pupils from St Winifred's School in Stockport

[mikey172]

Mr Burke's real name was Kevin Parrott, his younger brother Nigel was a later replacement on drums with The Dooleys (late in the 80s).

[Mattk]

thats more like it ! intelligent answers with no link cheats !!!!

[man utd mrs]

Shelley, from Coronation street, was in St Winifreds school choir....Not sure if she appeared on this particular track.

[46Dancer]

Kevin Parrott and Mick Coleman first met at The Albion Hotel at Stalybridge Cheshire during 1965. Mick joined Kevin�s band The Big Sound, (not to be confused with Simon Dupree�s group) as bass player/singer; Kevin was lead guitar player.

Mick had the idea for a tribute to Lowry during the early 1970�s and had the bare bones of the song before Lowry�s death in 1976. After he died though, Mick was spurred on to finish the song.

During the mid 1970�s, Mick formed a comedy duo with work colleague Brian Burke, and began performing in the local pubs and clubs as Burke & Jerk.
Kevin and Mick had stayed friends since the Big Sound, and Mick often went to see Kevs band �Oscar�. The pair considered wanted to work together as writer/producer.
Kevin borrowed �1000 needed to produce the Lowry song, and set about turning the song into a Lowry painting in sound.
�Oscar� recorded at Strawberry Studio in Stockport, which was owned by 10cc, but as the budget for MM wouldn�t stretch to Strawberry�s �25 an hour, he used Pluto Studio above.
However, when Kevin needed a school choir for MM, Strawberry MD Peter Tattersall suggested the school his children attended, St. Winifreds.
The song was recorded over three sessions in September 1977.
Kevin was still with Oscar and signed to DJM Records, Mick was in the comedy act as Burke & Jerk, so eventually it was decided to front up with Mick & Brian Burke as Brian & Michael.
The record was released on November 25th 1977, but a couple of weeks later Brian Burke refused to have anything to do with the project despite being given a royalty by Kevin and a writing credit by Mick. He also refused to take part in any promotional activities.
The only solution was for Kevin to leave �Oscar� after ten years, and take his place with Mick, but of course Pye wasn�t going to re-issue the record under a change of name. Kevin had to live �the life of Brian�.

02:10 Tue 17th Oct 2006