Michael (Mike) Moran was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire on 4 March 1948. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London prior to becoming a session musician and composer/arranger. 'Rock Bottom' which he wrote in partnership with Lynsey de Paul, was the UK entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, and put him in the spotlight for the first time. Although leading early on in the voting, the song eventually came second in the Contest. Nevertheless, it went on to become a Top 20 hit in many European countries including France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where it reached the top of their singles chart.