Born Michael John De Saulles in Wimbledon South London. Husband to Margaret and father to their 7 children.
Mike started to play the violin at the age of 6 and went on study at the Guildhall School under Reginald Morley.
He joined the London Symphony Orchestra in 1957 at the age of 20 and was a member for many years until 1976 as Co-Principal, leaving to play as a freelance violinist until the early 00's playing with other orchestras and session musicians on many classical, film, TV and pop music.