Paul Rutherford (singer)

Paul Rutherford (born 8 December 1959) is an English singer, musician and dancer. He came to prominence in the early 1980s as backing vocalist, dancer and occasional keyboardist of the pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, one of the band's two gay singers.[1]

Paul Rutherford
Born (1959-12-08) 8 December 1959
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • musician
  • dancer
InstrumentsVocals, keyboards, tambourine
Labels
Associated actsThe Spitfire Boys, Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Early years

Paul Rutherford was born on 8 December 1959, in Liverpool, England, but moved to the Cantril Farm district as a child during the 1960s, where future footballer Micky Quinn and future comedian Craig Charles were among his neighbours. He attended St Dominic's Roman Catholic school in Huyton along with his twin sister.

Music career

He emerged from the 1970s punk scene on Merseyside, finding initial fame with St. Helen's band The Spitfire Boys. The Spitfire Boys released a single "British Refugees/Mein Kampf". He later teamed up with Johnson in a new band which went on to dominate the UK Singles Chart in 1984. He frequented and performed at the Seven Dials Jazz Club in London.

Rutherford joined Frankie Goes to Hollywood in 1980. He sang backing vocals to Holly Johnson and also danced[2] and provided some keyboard parts to the band's recordings.

The band ended three years later and Rutherford attempted a solo career which was short-lived.[3] In 1989, three singles and the album Oh World were released. Two of the album tracks were produced by Martin Fry and Mark White of ABC. In late 2010, he released the album "The Cowboy Years" under the name "Paul Rutherford/Butt Cowboys".

Paul Rutherford's "Get Real" (1988)", a collaboration with ABC reached No. 47 in the UK and remained in the charts for four weeks.[4]. It is widely considered one of the most influential acid house tracks ever made.

Personal life

Rutherford and his civil union partner Perry live in New Zealand.[5]

Discography

Solo albums

Extended plays
  • That Moon with The Pressure Zone (1989)

Singles
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References
  1. Warner, Timothy (2003), Pop Music: Technology and Creativity: Trevor Horn and the Digital Revolution, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., p. 78, ISBN 0-7546-3132-X
  2. Strong, Martin Charles (2004), The Great Rock Discography, Canongate U.S., p. 561, ISBN 1-84195-615-5
  3. Cassidy, Jude; Shaver, Phillip R. (1999), Rough Guide to Rock, London: Rough Guides, p. 668, ISBN 1-84353-105-4
  4. "PAUL RUTHERFORD | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  5. Taylor, Phil (4 January 2014). "Frankie goes to Waiheke". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 April 2015.


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