I first encountered Micheal in the Travellers Rest pub in Witton Gilbert in 1984. I was a shy eighteen year old performing a little set of solo guitar music and Michael happened to be in the audience. We didn't speak that night, but as I played, out of the corner of my eye, I could see a handsome bohemian looking chap sitting in the corner of the room smoking Gitanes. To this day, after all these years, whenever I think of Michael, as I often do, I can sense the lingering aroma of French cigarettes.
Some time later Michael managed to track me down through a mutual friend. He gave me a tape as he was looking to put together a new band to perform his own songs. I vividly recall sitting down at home and listening to these beautiful complex songs that Michael had written. I studiously worked out second guitar parts. We then got together, played through the songs on two guitars and Michael asked me to join his new band. The lineup of the band fluctuated over time, but predominantly it was Michael and I along with Mark Whyles on bass and Terence Mcnally on drums. We were called Swimmer Leon.
I consider myself to have been blessed to have experienced those years in that band. They were exciting and very happy times. Michael was a great songwriter and musician. The downside to it all was that we learned at first hand how fickle and unfair the music business can be. Micheal deserved to achieve much more. 
Most of all though, I feel blessed to have met and known Michael. I learned so much from him and it was always a joy to be with him. I loved him dearly. 

God bless you and thank you Michael,

Stuart Willis.