British rock musician, a singer with the group “Frankie Goes to Hollywood,” popular in the London gay scene. The open homosexuality of Rutherford and his fellow vocalist Holly Johnson added an aura of sensationalism to the group’s performances, and this, along with their music, propelled them to the top of the pop music scene in the 1980s.
When Paul and his twin sister Carol were born, his parents, John and Sarah, already had four children. The twins were 12 years younger than Joe, Maureen, Angela and Monica, their siblings. Although the twins have always been close, they are somewhat of a study in contrasts. Paul was as dark in complexion as Carol was fair; he was mild-mannered while she was bossy. He grew up dancing, even when there was no music to be heard, and his early school years were unhappy ones. He was picked on by the other children, and even his teachers weren’t supportive. Always a quiet child, Paul was artistic, excelled in geography, and enjoyed swimming. He exhibited a style and elegance of his own even as a teenager, and he began to make clothing at the age of 14. By the time he was 16 years old, he was known as a free spirit, and he was always rushing here and there, seemingly never settling down in one place for very long.
Although he had a close relationship with his father, he was quick to pack up and move out, and he spent some time traveling around England, finally settling temporarily in London. He says he doesn’t like to be “rooted” in any one place. Home is where his friends are, and he gets bored easily. While attending St. Helens College of Art and Design, he formed his first band, “The Spitfire Boys.” After they broke up, he performed with several bands, none of which made any lasting impression on the music world.
In the summer of 1980, the band “Frankie” was formed, and their debut single, “Relax,” caused a furor in Great Britain, which ended with the song being banned from radio and television. The censorship caused more public interest in the song, and after topping the charts for five weeks, it had sold close to two million copies. Several more hits and an evolving style resulted in their third No.1 hit with “The Power of Love,” 1984, but they never again reached that level of success, and in 1987, Rutherford left the group.
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