[citation needed] Rutherford emerged from the 1970s punk scene in Merseyside, finding initial fame with St Helens' band the Spitfire Boys.

Rutherford, then member of Hambi and the Dance, joined Frankie Goes to Hollywood in 1982 after he met them performing at "Pickwicks, a pub in the centre of Liverpool".

[5] Rutherford released a single, a cover of the Chic track "I Want Your Love", and an album, Oh World, in 1989, which were unsuccessful commercially.

[6] 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.