The Cure
Biography
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1976. The group initially consisted of Robert Smith on vocals and guitar, Michael Dempsey on bass, and Lol Tolhurst on drums. While the lineup has seen many changes over the decades, Smith has remained the sole constant member. Starting as Easy Cure, the band quickly shortened their name to The Cure in 1978.
Formation and Early Years
The founding members were school friends who first performed together under the name Obelisk. After several lineup and name changes, including Malice and Easy Cure, the band settled on The Cure in 1978. Their debut album, "Three Imaginary Boys," was released in May 1979 and placed them at the forefront of the post-punk and new wave movements in the UK. Key early singles like "Boys Don't Cry" and "Jumping Someone Else's Train" helped establish their presence.
The Gothic Phase
Beginning with their second album, "Seventeen Seconds" (1980), The Cure adopted a darker and more tormented musical style. This album, along with "Faith" (1981) and the intensely bleak "Pornography" (1982), solidified their influence on the emerging gothic rock genre. Smith's distinctive appearance, with his signature messy black hair and smeared lipstick, also became emblematic of the goth subculture.
Mainstream Success and Acclaim
In the mid-1980s, Robert Smith began to infuse more pop sensibilities into the band's music, leading to greater commercial success. The 1985 album "The Head on the Door" was a significant breakthrough, particularly in the United States, featuring hit singles like "In Between Days" and "Close to Me". This was followed by the eclectic double album "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" in 1987, which included the international hit "Just Like Heaven".
Disintegration and Global Stardom
In 1989, The Cure released "Disintegration," an album widely regarded as their masterpiece. It combined atmospheric, gloomy soundscapes with pop melodies, producing hits like "Lullaby," "Lovesong," and "Pictures of You". The album became their highest-charting record to that point and cemented their status as global superstars. Their 1992 follow-up, "Wish," was also a massive success, reaching number one in the UK and featuring one of their most well-known songs, "Friday I'm in Love".
Later Career and Legacy
The Cure have released 14 studio albums and sold over 30 million records worldwide. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. The band's influence is extensive, inspiring numerous artists across genres like alternative rock, shoegaze, and dream pop, including bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Interpol, and Radiohead. After a 16-year gap, they released their acclaimed fourteenth album, "Songs of a Lost World," in 2024.