The song was written by the group's lead singer Larry Brownlee[nb 2] who was murdered in 1978.
The 1980 song "Geno", a tribute to Washington and his band, notes "You were Michael the lover, the fighter that won".
The version of Michael by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band became a chart hit for them but it also became a crowd favorite.
It appeared on the Marble Arch compilation album, Stars of 67 which also featured "Puppet on a String" by Sandie Shaw and "Universal Soldier" by Donovan.
[7] An unreleased version recorded by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band in 1968 appears on the Holdin' On With Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band EP which was released on the Acid Jazz label in 2013.