Michael was born on 21 January 1908 in Mile End Old Town, London with the name Hyman Flaum. His parents were Polish born father Harris, a tailor and waistcoat maker, and Annie nee Cohen and he had a younger sister Hetty.

Michael married Victoria Cowan in 1933 and was known as a talented violinist. He was a well known bandleader and remembered for his peace-time broadcasts, first in the north of England and then at the Mayfair hotel in London. In 1939, Michael and Victoria were living at 157 Pulman Court, Wandsworth and he was listed on the register as a dance band conductor. At the beginning of the war he was the M.D. at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate and subsequently joined the R.A.M.C. being transferred to the ‘Stars in Battledress’ entertainment unit. He travelled with the unit to North Africa and the Middle East before returning to England.

He had been performing with the ‘Stars in Battledress’ at an Army camp on their first provincial concert since returning from the Middle East. They were being taken back to their quarters when a head on crash occurred. Severely injured, Michael was taken to hospital where he passed away from his injuries.