Mike Rutherford

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Michael John Cleote Crawford "Mike" Rutherford (born October 2, 1950 in Guildford, Surrey) is a British musician. Whilst attending Charterhouse School he became a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and later assuming the roles of rhythm (especially known for his simultaneous 12 string guitar and Dewtron "Mister Bassman" bass pedal synthesizer playing) and eventually lead guitarist and backup vocalist.

Rutherford's basslines are known for being tastefully constructed as well as showing a great deal of technical innovation and skill. His basslines from early Genesis are some of the most innovative and complex lines from any time period and were especially impressive in the rising progressive rock movement. He and bassist Chris Squire pushed the envelope of creativity for the bass guitar in the genre. When Rutherford is not playing a dynamic and complex bassline, he plays the bass in a melodic manner that is well respected.

After the departure of guitarist Steve Hackett, Rutherford took the chores of guitarist and bassist for the band in the recording studio. His style, while not at the level of Hackett, is highly melodic and creative, yet contains more of textural and minimalistic structures. On tour, he would alternate between guitar and bass on live shows with touring-only guitarist/bassist Daryl Stuermer.

During breaks in Genesis, he recorded two solo albums, Smallcreep's Day and Acting Very Strange, and later performed in the band Mike and the Mechanics, a group he founded on one such break in 1985.

Two of Mike and the Mechanics famous songs are: 'All I need is a miracle' and the more popular 'The Living Years'.

He played mainly Rickenbacker and Shergold basses.

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