Mike Rutherford
The Living Years: The First Genesis Memoir
Published by Thomas Dunne
Apr 02, 2015 Web Exclusive
Mike Rutherford always seemed like the unassuming member of Genesis, the band’s quiet rock. With keyboardist Tony Banks, Rutherford was one of two players who were with the band from its inception through most recent incarnations, and he details it all here in “the first Genesis memoir.” Rutherford was born the son of a naval captain, and throughout The Living Years, he intersperses pieces of his father’s own personal memoir, pointing out where their lives intersected and their careers mirrored each other.
Rutherford’s volume is slim, coming in at under 250 pages, but it provides a good feel for the personalities that made up each incarnation of Genesis. Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Tony Banks, and Phil Collins are all made real in Rutherford’s pages, and it’s done in a readable style that avoids any pretension or airs. Perhaps due in part to British sensibility and in part to his upbringing the son of a military man, Rutherford’s prose is relatively unemotional. His connection with his father (or lack of) is evident but stated almost simply as matter of fact. Yet this style benefits the Genesis story in that the facts are presented with what seems like little bias.
Of course, Rutherford’s tale also discusses his solo outings, most notably with Mike and the Mechanics. But the meat of the book is Genesis’ story. And as it should be. Finally, Genesis’ tale is told by one of the band’s founders, with anecdotes to spare.
(http://us.macmillan.com/thomasdunne)
Author rating: 7/10
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