Mike Rutherford on The Living Years - The Music, the Memories and the Memoirs

[@garyt19651]

I have always felt this song was written for me as it depicts so accurately the relationship between my father and I. My Dad passed away days after I turned 16 in the early 1970's. We never got to say the things we should said to each other. Over 50 years later I have never gotten over his passing. I have to come to realize though why he could never open up . He was a WWII veteran who NEVER spoke about his war experiences. 30 years after he passed away , through lots of research, I found out that he served in the 45th infantry which saw more active days in combat than any unit in WWII and occupied the Dachau concentration camp at the wars end. I cannot imagine what he saw during these times. He never told anyone. I believe if I could ask him about this he would simply say " you don't have to know". To my Dad in heaven, you are my hero , I just wish I knew that when you were here and that I could have told you that in your living years. No song ever written has had the impact on me that 'The Living Years' has had.

[@kareltracy]

My father and I didn't talk that much about his experience, but I didn't ask that much. He said in the late 80's "I was born 63 years ago, but I've only lived 61 years."

[@jaymoore2738]

Thank you so much for posting this. My father served on a Destroyer in the Pacific during WWII. Mike's talk about his father brings my father back for me (he died at 78 back in 2000 and I feel so fortunate that he survived the relentless attack of suicide bombers which he only talked about with me in his later years. Love you Daddy and will always respect what you did for all of us.

[@Harpo.jr70]

This song has touched so many people , it will always stand the test of time. People not even born yet , will hear it when they grow and it will affect them too.

[@hawk1866]

This is a song for every generation, every father's son. We all have things that we carry, things that we just can't bring ourselves to talk to, about, and with our parents. And it is ALWAYS too late to speak of them at the memorial......I went through this with a young brother, and our Mum. Tell them now, talk to them NOW......resolve what doesn't amount to an ant hill......you'll live a fuller life if you do!

[@stewartmcardle8149]

I felt able to tell my mother how much I loved her and that she was truly loved ....long before she died.....we should all strive to do ........ before it's too late.

[@Trobtwillis]

​@@stewartmcardle8149 I fought with my late parents a lot. However, we had a lot of good times too. Thank G-D for that! Thankfully, we told each other that we ❤ed each other many times.

[@sml909]

Very underrated songwriter! Pure Gold what he's done with both genesis and Mike & the Mechanics!

[@09penny1]

The Living Years is such a profound and beautifully composed song. Absolutely sobering in its honesty and call for understanding and communication between the generations. Its come to mean a lot to now 3 different generations. Mike's point about the generation gap between the young men of the 1940s and the young men of the 60s being almost irreparably distant was a very interesting one.

[@bjtild]

One of the best songs ever written! Mike Rutherford, and his writing companion could not have realized how this song would be played by many generations. Paul Carrack always delivers a brilliant performance, whether with Mike and the Mechanics or solo.

[@vorthora]

God what wonderful music this guy has ever composed! Great writer, too!

[@megasoid]

You can't help but almost break down when this song is played. Most pop songs leave me cold, but not this one.

[@imannonymous7707]

paul carrick lifted this amazing song to the heavens where our fathers dwell....rip ..

[@cosmicdrifter287]

i like mr.rutherford"s thoughtful style and excellent musicianship.

[@Agnethatheredhairkid]

Mike is a beautiful person inside and out, very frank and down to earth despite his posh origins. Love him, love Genesis, love the Mechanics, love 'The Living Years'.

[@gerald4133]

i heard this song not long after my dad past. it stopped me in my traxx. it's very relatable. i liked genesis and phil collins solo albums your guitar playing is phenominable. thank you. a fan.

[@AB-th9on]

Mike powiedział to co wielu z nas nosi w sercu. Może nie wszyscy ale ci bardziej wrażliwi mają na strychu pudełka ze wspomnieniami po kimś bliskim. Po kimś komu być może nie zdołali powiedzieć jak bardzo był ważny. A może tego wtedy nie wiedzieli? Mój ojciec nie dorósł do tego by pamięć o nim zamieszkała w pudełku. Nie widział tez moich występów. Cóż, może nie lubił muzyki? Dla Ciebie Mike nie zabrakło "pudełka" w moim skarbcu. Jest dość spore i bardzo dla mnie ważne. Jesteś wspaniałym człowiekiem i świetnym muzykiem.

[@millsy2010]

It's a shame that some with what would seem to be a political agenda would bash someone simply because they came through public school etc. All of the Genesis guys have a world view which is one reason why their music carries such weight. I always tried to teach myself that the important thing is to listen to what's being said rather than how the person is saying it (ie. you must ignore the sound) if people only were to do that with Mike, Tony, Peter etc, they might find themselves pleasantly surprised. Thanks Mike for your amazing contribution to music for what is now half a bloody century - incredible!

[@smokinstewart]

Thank you for the living years! Wonderful music we’ve listened to for many years cheers and your Dad was great for letting you find your own way or we would never had these years of music with you Sir!

[@norbertkuzminski8687]

Thank You Mr Rutherford God Bless Your parents in heven Your music is amazening

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Awesome story! I've always loved *"The Living Years",* but I've never heard about how the song came about.

[@alphabarzey705]

Thank you for sharing this. Very intelligent and lovable man. Just love him a lot man..you gave the world amusical miracle..

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

He has such a lovely accent, very easy to listen to. Like my posh English cousins.

[@anastasiapedersen1]

Very intelligent and lovable man. Just love him a lot

[@mstephen215]

Mike Rutherford is seriously one of the most under rated musicians ever. Two record setting groups, 100's of songs in his catalog and to top it off a great chap!

[@Trobtwillis]

He calls himself a mediocre guitarist, and by no means a guitar virtuoso. I think that he's a good guitarist. If you consider all that he has done, I would call him a really good musician. All sorts of guitars, backing vocals, bass pedals, cello, music, lyrics. A really strong musician.

[@BurtonBoyz715]

Mike has always been the real thing.......Thanks for posting....(Yeah...I know it was to sell a book.....Still a great interview)...;)

[@mari4sol]

and just yesterday i got me a ticket for Living years 2025 Tour , im overjoyed 🥰

[@abodkalaf1041]

man..you gave the world amusical miracle..

[@agileesquire]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@Omd-vz2gt]

Incredible Thank you

[@celtibhoy]

A beautiful + insightful book, with some lovely family photos too

[@jaydavis7258]

Very thoughtful book. I can so relate with my dad who fought in WW2 and his generational ideas and music (Big Band style) vs mine. Excellent read.

[@nolanvpaerichipn1970]

A beautiful + insightful book, with some lovely family photos too Thank You Mr Rutherford God Bless Your parents in heven Your music is amazening Thank you for sharing this.

[@rampageclover9788]

Love this guy...

[@abduljamal9930]

🎼yup, member of genesis and me like to watch the stage forever be hope🤝👆🇮🇩 keep vit mike🙌☮️

[@campsecxxi7448]

Lord Mike Rutherford

[@UHFStation1]

Is Mike a believer in an afterlife? The lyrics gave a particular emphasis on finality.

[@happyguyx1]

Mike your my hero from charterhouse ---dont be silly

[@mikearchibald744]

I think some of that is also the issue about the british empire. But at this point you've had bombs falling ON London. The british empire is largely collapsed now. Before that you were goosestepping to the demands of empire, but in the sixties, obviously that was falling apart. Particularly Gabriels' early lyrics were a real struggle with this notion of defending an empire that is gone, or at least its cultural attributes.

[@scoonman]

Well we know how that last question was answered now considering they are planning a tour...