John first started playing guitar as a semi pro in club bands around Edinburgh, Scotland.
His first major band was "Colour Harmony" a 7 piece Soul/Drifters tribute outfit.
Surviving members of that band include vocalists Gillie Leroy Jones & Dino Cassar/drummer Dave Carson/bass player Mike McKenzie & guitarist Harry Harris. Toured Scotland, Wales.
Then came "Warmer Brothers" a gigging cover's band [Doobie Bros..Eagles etc.]with Dave Carson drums. Charlie McHarg guitar. [Harry] Tracy on bass. Touring North Scotland & The Borders.
Pic L to R. Charlie McHarg. Dave Carson. John Rutherford. [Harry] Tracy.
John turned pro in 1979 and started working in cruise ship bands. Starting on Russian ships "Leonid Sobinov" and "Taras Shevshenko". Mediterranean, Black Sea, Ukraine, Russia.
Then 2 world cruises to Australia via Jamaica,Tahiti, New Zealand.
Cruising from Sydney to Fiji. New Caledonia. Tonga. Vanuatu. etc.
Then up to Uruguay and Brazil.
Back to UK via Melbourne. Perth. Sri Lanka, Suez, Mediterranean.
Bandleader was Pete Orr on organ. On bass was his [sadly, late] pal and London session guitarist Steve Donnelly. On drums was first Ian Forrest and then Andy Munro.
Pic L to R Pete Orr. Andy Munro. Steve Donelly. John Rutherford
Moving on to Greek lines as bandleader on the "Jason" the "Atlas" and the "Oceanos".
John , with his pal Stuart Smith on bass and Ronnie Teape on piano, worked alongside the legendary English drummer Mike O'Hagan.
Then came a spell back on terra firma, in Leicester, England, playing some jazz and "Soca"music. Including a spot on BBC's "Pebble Mill" program.
Joining forces with Mike again, it was back to sea, working for the same Greek "Epirotiki Lines".
This was where he first crossed path's with Martin Smith in the famous "Tradewinds" band. With Mike O'Hagan on drums, Martin Smith on bass, [sadly, the late] John [Jaggy] Houston on piano/synth, John Rutherford took on the role of guitarist vocalist.
The ships were the "Neptune", the "Orpheus", the "Jason" and the "Aegean Dolphin" [Dolphin Hellas Lines]
pic L to R: Martin Smith. Mike O'Hagan. John Rutherford. John [Jaggy] Houston
In the early 90's John moved back to Scotland and worked day jobs. Gigging in wedding bands/country bands/jazz bands, evenings and weekends, He also taught beginners to advanced guitar at Leith Academy.
He got the chance to join a band with Mike Heron, from the legendary "Incredible String Band". 60's/70's superstars. They played Woodstock!
The new band was called "Mike Heron's Incredible Acoustic Band" and toured Scotland and England with some memorable gigs in Paris [ shared the bill with Chico from "The Gypsy Kings" amazing player!] and also topped the bill in Bruges Festival. Various TV appearances and radio shows followed. The members were Mike Heron lead vocals & rhythm guitar. John Rutherford lead acoustic guitar and harmony vocals. Stuart Smith on bass and harmony vocals. Dave Haswell on percussion.
John arranged all the songs and played all guitars on Mike's album "Where The Mystics Swim" and also played on the live album "Mike Heron & Robin Williamson. Bloomsbury 1997" with Robert Plant and other famous folk & rock muzo's in the audience! [no pressure then?]
Pic L to R: Dave Haswell. Mike Heron. John Rutherford. Stuart Smith.
John went back to sea again in 2000 for Royal Caribbean Cruises on the "Splendour Of The Seas" Cruising to Norway/Sweden/Finland/Russia/Estonia/Denmark/Scotland/Azores/USA/Canada and finally the Caribbean.
John re-married and took a day job again in Scotland and played weddings at weekends.
He formed an acoustic trio "Combomondo" playing original material with Dave Haswell on percussion again, and Gavin Dickie [bass player for "Fish" [from Marillion].
Now retired. John is divorced, AGAIN!
Before Covid he was playing in amateur outfit "The Stray Dogz Blues Band"
Paul Thomson lead vocals, harmonica. John Rutherford electric gtr & harmony vocals. Sean J. Cook bass. Kenny Anderson drums. Rick Fletcher flute, sax, keyboards
and an acoustic jazz duo with sax/flute playing pal Rick Fletcher.
John is delighted to be re-united again with his auld shipmate and top muzo Martin Smith and involved in "THE JOHN MARTIN EXPERIENCE"