# ‘Throwing It All Away’: The 1986 Genesis song that proves Mike Rutherford’s importance

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/throwing-it-all-away-the-1986-genesis-song-that-proves-mike-rutherfords-importance/
- Published: 2026-08-06T13:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-08-25T03:16:34+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/throwing-it-all-away-the-genesis-song-that-proves-mike-rutherfords-importance/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Article credits Mike Rutherford as key architect of "Throwing It All Away" (1986).
- Song helped make Genesis's "Invisible Touch" album a major chart success.
- Piece argues Rutherford's songwriting was overshadowed by Phil Collins's stardom.

## Summary

This piece from Far Out Magazine revisits Genesis's 1986 ballad "Throwing It All Away," arguing that the song stands as a rare showcase for guitarist and bassist Mike Rutherford at a time when drummer-turned-frontman Phil Collins dominated the band's sound and songwriting. It matters as a corrective to the narrative that Genesis's other members were merely support acts propping up Collins's stardom during the band's commercially successful, more polished 1980s era.

The article traces how, after Peter Gabriel's departure and Steve Hackett's exit in 1977, Genesis never replaced its lead guitarist, leaving Rutherford somewhat overlooked despite his integral role. Unlike a virtuoso player, Rutherford is presented as more of an arranger and songwriter, crafting the track's looping guitar riff, bassline and lyrics. The song appeared on the band's blockbuster album "Invisible Touch," which the author credits with helping secure its historic chart success and cementing Rutherford's importance to Genesis's collective sound.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.