Keith Strachan is a distinguished English music composer and theater director, born on January 21, 1944, in Consett, County Durham, England. He attended Blaydon Grammar School and later studied Mathematics and Science at Queen Elizabeth College, London University. Initially, Strachan worked as a teacher at Sloane Grammar School in Chelsea, London, before transitioning to a career in musical directing.

In 1976, he co-wrote his first musical, "Shoot Up at Elbow Creek." He gained significant recognition for co-writing the song "Mistletoe and Wine," which became a UK Christmas number one hit for Cliff Richard in 1988. The song was originally part of a musical adaptation of "The Little Match Girl" and is noted as one of the best-selling Christmas songs of all time.

Strachan is also known for composing theme music for television shows, including "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" for which he and his son Matthew received an award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Additionally, he wrote themes for "The Detectives" and "Talking Telephone Numbers."

Throughout his career, Strachan has been involved in directing pop and rock compilation musicals for Bill Kenwright and was a member of the jazz-rock band Swegas in the 1970s. He formed the television and cabaret act Wall Street Crash in 1980, which became well-known in the UK and Europe.

Keith Strachan's contributions to the music industry have been widely appreciated, and he remains a respected figure in the field.