Michael Prizeman 

Guitarist / Singer / Songwriter /Perfromer

A Guitarist, Singer, and Songwriter with a lifetime of experience in the Australian music industry, Michael Prizeman has shared stages and studios with some of the country’s finest talent. His first gig was in 1969 with his own band, and from there he quickly became one of the most in-demand young guitarists of the 1970s and ’80s.

At just 15, Michael recorded with his band Levwood, releasing the single “The Fire” in 1972. The track was produced with recording engineer and bassist Shad Lyons (composer of “Denim and Lace”) at Lyons’ Bondi studio — the same studio where Michael played guitar on Marty Rhone’s hit “Denim and Lace.”

As a studio musician for Alberts, Michael played guitar on numerous singles throughout the 1970s and ’80s and served as backing guitarist for a wide range of recording artists during that golden era. He also performed with the Emmanuel Brothers, further cementing his reputation among Australia’s elite musicians.

Michael’s live career has been equally diverse. He was Musical Director for Lester Coombs, leading his resident show band for over a year and a half at Panthers Leagues with the production “Are You Ready for the Country.” He also served as Musical Director for Reg Norton, performing live on The Mike Walsh Show, The Steve Raymond Show, The Reg Lindsay Country Homestead, and in London at Blazers Nightclub in Windsor.

Returning to Australia, he formed the Sydney-based rock outfit Gopher Broke with Wayne Thomas (Flake), David Hines, and Neil Smith — a band that became a mainstay on the city’s live circuit throughout the mid-1980s. Later collaborations included Streetheart with Neil Smith, John Stafford, Brian Donnellan, and Kaye Webb.

Michael’s home studio became his creative base through the years, writing, recording, and producing his own music while continuing to perform across countless venues. In 2014, he joined the Monash Concert Band, singing and playing guitar at major events including Carols by Candlelight at Jells Park before launching his acclaimed tribute show “Tillerman – The Music of Cat Stevens.”

Today, Michael continues to perform actively with Mark Symonds in Mark & Michael – Brothers in Music and their acoustic project M & M Country Style Duo, bringing decades of experience, artistry, and soul to every performance.

From the Sydney Opera House to Carols by Candlelight before 25,000 people at Jells Park, Michael Prizeman’s musical journey spans continents, genres, and generations — a testament to a lifelong love of music and the guitar.