Paul Rutherford (singer)

Paul Rutherford (born 8 December 1959) is an English singer, musician and dancer. He is best known as the dancer, keyboardist, and backing vocalist of the synth-pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

Early life
Rutherford was born on 8 December 1959 in Liverpool, but moved to the Cantril Farm district as a child during the 1960s. He attended St Dominic's Roman Catholic school in Huyton along with his twin sister.

Career
Rutherford 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".

Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Rutherford, then member of Hambi and the Dance, joined Frankie Goes to Hollywood in 1982 after met them performing at "Pickwicks, a pub in the centre of Liverpool". He sang backing vocals to Johnson and also danced, and provided some keyboard parts to the band's recordings. The band ended five years later, and Rutherford attempted a solo career which was short-lived.

After Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Rutherford's 1988 "Get Real", a collaboration with ABC, reached No. 47 in the UK and remained in the charts for four weeks.

Rutherford released a single, a cover of the Chic track "I Want Your Love", and an album, Oh World, in 1989, which were unsuccessful. He released another single, "That Moon", as Paul Rutherford with Pressure Zone in 1991, and worked as a stylist for bands. He appeared in the music videos for "Walking on Broken Glass" (1992) by Annie Lennox and "Give In to Me" (1993) by Michael Jackson.

In late 2010, he released the album The Cowboy Years under the name "Paul Rutherford/Butt Cowboys".

Personal life
Rutherford and his civil union partner Perry live in New Zealand.

Solo albums

 * Oh World (1989)
 * The Cowboy Years (2010)

Extended plays

 * That Moon with the Pressure Zone (1989)

Singles

 * "Get Real" (1988, UK charts #47)
 * "I Want Your Love" (1989, UK charts #82)
 * "Oh World" (1989, UK charts #61)