A DUO who topped the charts almost three decades ago, Brian and Michael, are back making an appearance at Urmston Men’s Club with their new band ‘The Matchstalk Men’.

The duo made it to number one in the UK charts in 1978 with ‘Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs’, a tribute to painter LS Lowry, which sold over a million copies.

Brian and Michael (aka Kevin Parrott and Mick Coleman), first met in 1965 where they were in a band called The Big Sound. They spent the rest of the 1960s living in Denmark and touring Scanandanavia, Germany and Israel.

In 1977 they came together again and recorded the song which took them to number one in 1978.

Mick was then awarded the Ivor Novello award for writing the song.

The duo have resisted requests for live performances as they have found it difficult to find temporary backing musicians.

However, in 2012 fate took a turn when they managed to form a permenant band.

“The new band is ‘The Matchstalk Men’, a five piece” said Kevin and Mick, who have been joined by their brothers Nigel Parrott and Tim Coleman, and keyboard player Paula Stephens.

They said: “as well as the original Brian and Michael songs, audiences are loving the bands more unusual choice of repertoire from the 1950s, 60s and 70s.”

This April marks the 35th anniversary of Matchstalk Men reaching the number one spot.

Brian and Michael and The Matchstalk Men will be appearing at Urmston Men’s Club on May 5 at 8.30pm. For more information or to book tickets phone 0161 748 2800 or visit urmstonmens.org.