Artist description Singer, songwriter, AIDS activist and author, Michael is recognized as a co-inventor ofsafe(r) sex; a co-founder of the People With AIDS self-empowerment movement; a founderof community-based AIDS research; a member of the world's most famous a cappella, gaymale, politically aware singing group, THE FLIRTATIONS; a gifted songwriter, bestknown for his most recorded tune, ``Love Don't Need a Reason;'' a singer who wasblessed with an amazing voice.

Music Style Pop, synth, piano, cabaret, rock, jazz, GAY

Musical Influences Barbara Streisand, Elton John, Bette Midler, Tom Robinson, Cris Williamson, Holly Near, Sweet Honey in the Rock

Artist History During the last year of his life, Michael worked furiously to record over 40 tunes; a 2-CD album of 29 of them was released by Significant Other Records in 1996. Michael said LEGACY was "the best thing I've ever done. An order of magnitude beyond `Purple Heart.' " Legacy was nominated for nine awards in six categories by the judges of the first annual Gay & Lesbian Music Awards (the GLAMAS); at the gala GLAMA event in October, 1996, it won four awards, including Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Best Group Recording and Best Choral Recording. Michael is memorialized in New York's Chelsea District, where the Community Health Project was rechristened the Michael Callen-Audre Lorde Community Health Center.

Group Members Collaborators/contributors/sidepersons have included: Holly Near, Cris Williamson, Tret Fure, David Lasley, Arnold McCuller, Fred Hersch, Greg Wells, Phillip Johnston, Rachelle Garniez, Peter Allen, Marsha Malamet, Richard Lloyd, John Bucchino, Diana Grasselli, Alan Chase, Jim Leff, Dave Douglas, Jim Hartog, Mark Dane, David Hofstra, Joel Forrester, Adam Rogers, Joe Ruddick, Bob DeBellis, Steve Swell, Elliot Sokolov, Pamela Brandt, Novi Novog.

Albums as a solo artist, PURPLE HEART and LEGACY; with the Flirtations, THE FLIRTATIONS and OUT ON THE ROAD; on compilations "Love Worth Fighting For" (title track), "Winter Moon", "Feeding the Flame"; soundtrack CD, "Zero Patience"

Press Reviews PURPLE HEART, Mike's debut album, got a lot of attention in certain circles: "The most remarkable gay independent release of the past decade." -- Adam Block, THE ADVOCATE "The most stunning gay album recorded to date...sets the standard by which all gay albums will be judged for years to come." -- Will Grega, Gay Music Guide "A virtually flawless debut." -- David Lamble, BAR

Location New York, NY - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).