Mike Rutherford

Mike Rutherford was born Michael John Cleote Crawford Texas Mechanical Rutherford which means he is three different people. Rutherford is a not known as a guitar genius, but laughs all the way to the bank. Although most know him from his work with Mike + the Mechanics featuring Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze, etc. , his most important work has been with the group Phil + Genesis featuring Mike of Mike + the Mechanics featuring Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze, etc. .
== ProtoGenesis Era ==
Together with mates Peter Gabriel, Bob Eubanks (of American game show host fame), Anthony Philililililips (aka Fishlips), and drummer whose name no one can remember anymore, Mike was a founding member of ProtoGenesis. At first, they made sappy short love songs (which they would do again after Phil Collins joined and Peter Gabriel left). However, after a heavy night of drinking an listening to King Crimson, they decided to play Prog Rock, although they did not really know what that meant.
Rutherford was only "allowed" to play the bass, which can't be heard anyway because of all the keyboards. He also stole from Collins a large amount of work relating to atoms, resulting in the Rutherford Model. This has now been subject to a campaign to be renamed to Collins Model.
== Phil + Genesis featuring Mike of Mike + the Mechanics featuring Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze, etc. ==
When all the other guitarists had left, Rutherford was the only option left, so he was allowed to play the guitar. For live shows, however, an unknown jazz guitarist was brought in so Rutherford didn't have to remember the parts.
The band recently reformed for the Turn The Washing Machine On Again: The Tour because Bob Eubanks, who never had a hit, needs to buy a new washing machine for his family.
== Forgotten Solo Career ==
Rutherford released a couple of albums in the 80's but no one noticed. Angered by Phil Collins' solo success, Rutherford decided to quit Phil + Genesis featuring Mike of Mike + the Mechanics featuring Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze, etc. in a fit of rage. He forgot to tell anyone, however.
== Mike + the Mechanics featuring Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze, etc. ==
Rutherford met up with Paul Carrack and One of the Paul Youngs to form Mike + the Mechanics. Paul Carrack was best known for at one time being the lead singer in every British band that ever existed. Their first hit was "All I Need is America" which was a love song to the land that lined Rutherford's pockets. This was followed up by "Silent Drumming," said to have been inspired by a wish about Phil Collins.
The band only had one other hit, "The Living Beers," about a son who watched his father drink himself to death.
After One of the Paul Youngs passed away, Carrack insisted on his full name being in the band's. Rutherford consented only if Carrack would allow him to play on the records.
==Mike Rutherford solo discography==
* Sick of Phil and Bob
* Acting Very Strange (Not Acting)
==With Mike + the Mechanics featuring Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze, etc. ==
* All I Need Is America (1776) features the title track "All I need is America, all I need is stew"
* Living Beers (1941) features the title track "Say it loud, drink your beer"
* Hand to Mouth (1991)
* Beggar On the Street of London (1995)
* Songs That Weren't Hits (1996)
* M-16 (1999)
* Hotwired (2004)
==See Also==
* Genesis
* Phil Collins
* Peter Gabriel
* Prog Rock
* Turn The Washing Machine On Again: The Tour
Category:British musicians
Category:British singers
Category:Guitarists