Mechanically Minded Mike On This 'N' That
A good Mechanic is hard to find, but we managed to track Mike Rutherford down in West London where he was getting tuned-up for a tour of the States. Make that two tours: first he’s going out with Mike & The Mechanics, then, after six weeks at home with his wife, kids and horses, he’s back on the road with Genesis.
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Mechanically Minded Mike On This 'N' That
Sylvie Simmons
A good Mechanic is hard to find, but we managed to track Mike Rutherford down in West London where he was getting tuned-up for a tour of the States. Make that two tours: first he’s going out with Mike & The Mechanics, then, after six weeks at home with his wife, kids and horses, he’s back on the road with Genesis. Still, he managed to give us a quick overhaul...!
CARS
“Nasty things! They always break down on me. I prefer horses. My wife has horses. I’m turning into quite a good horseman—cross-country events.”
THE MECHANICS
“It’s a nice combination of people. With this Mike & The Mechanics album, I realized that I’m much better in a combination of other people. I suppose if it came down to an argument I’m the leader, but it doesn’t work that way. Everyone’s very involved.”
GENESIS
“I think what people forget is that Genesis produce music none of us can do on our own. It’s as simple as that. It’s a combination of talents and ideas that does it.”
PROGRESSIVE ROCK
“We never gave ourselves that title. Because the Beatles were pop music, and that’s still some of the best music around! We always fought that title, because that suggests you have to be intellectual and especially clever to understand it, which is not true at all.”
INTELLECTUALS
“We were very much serious young men, all of us, very intense about things—but you have to be.”
REBELLION
“I was quite a rebel too! I was thrown out of school—expelled from my private school. I wish I could say I had one moment of glory when I blew up someone’s
car or something, but I never did!”
PHIL COLLINS
“I can't believe actually how little he’s changed. The added pressure I’ve had with Mike & The Mechanics has been a big strain on me, and so on him it must be incredible! I don’t know how he does it! He’s got a new wife and his children are abroad with his old wife, so it’s probably easier in that sense. I’ve got a busy, active family life. But I don’t know how he does it! He’s had about as much success as anyone can have, and he’s not bigheaded about it at all. In all seriousness, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer man.”
MARILLION
“That’s interesting, interesting. I just
think if we’d released that kind of song back then—which we did to a degree—it wouldn’t have happened. Things have changed. I’m sure they’re nice guys, so good luck to them!”
HEROES
“I’ve always been a huge fan of Cliff Richard’s voice.”
PLAYLIST
“The new Talk Talk album is greatvery old-fashioned sounding. Mr. Mister’s nice. Nik Kershaw, Paul Young, the Beatles and old Motown.”
LIKES & DISLIKES
“I like making music, being home with my family. I dislike this, the chit-chat. What I do is make music, not really talk about it!”
