Former Whitgift High School boy Michael Kruk from Wallington zoomed straight to the top of the classical music charts with his band The Planets last week, writes Dean Piper.
Russell Watson had been in the top slot for 16 weeks and looked invincible until Michael (pictured above) and his band released their debut album Classical Graffiti and it shot to number one.
The classical-pop band were formed when a Spice Girl-style advert appeared in The Stage.
Michael explains: "They were trying to get a mix between pop and rock, and putting a bit of classical in between. I really think it works well.
"I joined later than the others, in the middle of last summer."
The guy in charge of the band is the man behind The Wombles and Bright Eyes, Mike Batt.
Michael hails from Wallington and went to school at St Mary's Junior School, Carshalton, and then to Whitgift High School, Croydon. He still finds it hard to see his band next to the likes of Madonna, J-Lo and Elton John.
"We actually entered the charts just above Elton John and Madonna. It was crazy when we looked at it like that and thought oh my god' we are higher in the charts than some of our favourite artists.
"The other guys are really fun to be with and we have all come from very different backgrounds. Some are from stage school and some are professional musicians."
Michael Kruk is the lively percussionist making up one part of the eight-piece band which has a drummer, two guitars, a cello, an oboe, a violin and a flute.
The band are currently on a national tour and are set to be the hottest thing in classical music since Russell Watson.
At a party recently the band came up against Nasty' Nigel Lythgoe from Pop Stars. He expected them to go far as they are extremely talented.
The Planets have secured a five album deal with EMI and the single Rodrigo' comes out this week. Expect good things to come from this talented bunch as Nigel knows best!
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