Mike Rutherford, the renowned musician, played a pivotal role in the success of the iconic band Genesis, often referred to as the secret weapon that catapulted them to international fame. His remarkable talent as a songwriter and musician enabled him to make significant contributions to the band's discography, penning the lyrics for their first major international single, "Follow You Follow Me", which reached the top ten in the UK and the top thirty in the US.
Rutherford's songwriting skills continued to shine with his work on the band's second UK top ten single, "Turn It On Again", two years later. In 1985, he embarked on another successful project, Mike and the Mechanics, which further solidified his reputation as a talented musician.
The band's 1986 album, "Invisible Touch", marked a significant milestone in their career, featuring five international hits, including two tracks with lyrics written by Rutherford, "Land of Confusion" and "Throwing It All Away". In 1988, he collaborated with B.A. Robertson to create the critically acclaimed song "The Living Years", which earned an Ivor Novello Award and became a huge success for Mike and the Mechanics, with millions of plays on US radio.
Born into a distinguished family, Rutherford's father was a naval officer, Captain William Rutherford. He attended one of England's top private schools, Charterhouse, where he crossed paths with future Genesis bandmates Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks. As the band's bass and rhythm guitarist, Rutherford played a vital role in shaping their unique sound, despite taking a back seat to lead guitarist Anthony Phillips, who was later replaced by Steve Hackett.
Throughout the 1970s, Genesis gained a devoted cult following with their elaborate, classically influenced progressive rock. After Gabriel's departure in 1975, the band's commercial appeal continued to grow, and with Hackett's departure in 1977, Rutherford became the sole guitarist on their subsequent studio albums. This marked a significant turning point in the band's career, as they transitioned from a cult following to mainstream success, becoming one of Britain's biggest bands of the 1980s and early 1990s.
In 2014, Rutherford released his autobiography, "The Living Years", offering a unique glimpse into his remarkable career and life.
