Trivia

One of the founding members of Genesis, with Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, and Anthony Phillips. They were only 15 and in boarding school when they formed the group. Rutherford was in a band called "The Anon" with Phillips. Gabriel and Banks had a band called "The Garden Wall" with drummer Chris Stewart. These groups merged to form Genesis. Steve Hackett and Phil Collins were hired later to replace Phillips and drummer John Mayhew, respectively.

He and Tony Banks are the only people to have played on every Genesis album.

His favorite Genesis album is "Genesis" (released in 1983).

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.

Dubbed "The Dumbledore of rock" by DJ Sara Cox.

Assumed lead guitar duties on Genesis albums from "And Then There Were Three" (1978) onwards, replacing Steve Hackett.

He has co-written and played on two US number one hit singles: "Invisible Touch" by Genesis (released in 1986) and "The Living Years" by Mike + The Mechanics (released in 1989).

Mike + The Mechanics' song, "The Living Years", which he co-wrote with B.A. Robertson, won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song. 1991 saw Mike + The Mechanics' songs, "Silent Running" (also co-written with Robertson) and "The Living Years", awarded "MillionAir" status by BMI for more than one million broadcast performances in the US. By 1998, BMI acknowledged "Silent Running" at two million plays, and "The Living Years" was recognized with a three million award in 1999.

Educated at Charterhouse School, Surrey.

Swept floors at Sainsbury's during the night shift for extra money during the early days of Genesis.

Wrote the lyrics to "Follow You Follow Me" in five minutes.

He is a big fan of Talk Talk. During his appearance on The Sara Cox Show (2019) in 2019, he chose "It's My Life" as his perfect song.

Published two albums as solo artist, "Smallcreep's Day" (1980) and "Acting Very Strange" (1982). Feeling disappointed with the experience, he decided never publish another solo album to consider that his creativity worked better in collaboration.

Guitarist/bassist for the bands Genesis and Mike + The Mechanics.

Thomas Rutherford appeared as a real-life son with/of Michael Rutherford in the music video, "The Living Years", by Mike + The Mechanics. Thomas was 8 at the point.

Father of Thomas Rutherford.

Created the side band, Mike + The Mechanics in the 1980s, while remaining involved with his main band, Genesis. Paul Carrack, formerly of bands "Ace" and "Squeeze", and Paul M. Young, formerly of "Sad Cafe", were recruited as the vocalists for "The Mechanics".

Wrote the lyrics to "Land of Confusion" while sick in bed.

Was banned from playing the guitar at Charterhouse.