The Cure is one of the few rock bands that has been admiring the public for more than 30 years. Over the years, the direction of the team’s creativity, name, composition has changed several times, but project leader Robert Smith has remained unchanged.
Robert's life is an amazing musical adventure that seems to never end. At 57, he still writes music and lyrics, talks to reporters and finds more and more listeners. What is the permanent leader of The Cure, every fan of classic rock must know .
The childhood of Robert Smith
Robert James Smith was born in Blackpool, England. Already at the age of 6, for the first time picking up a guitar, he quickly learned chords and showed everyone his musical talent. At 13, the older brother gave the future star of the rock scene the first electric guitar, which Robert mastered in two ways.
Even during his studies, the musician created his first groups. They did not exist for long, the performers never reached the big stage, but were able to get the experience necessary to start a career. Later, Robert expelled from school, this gives him the opportunity to completely "dive" into the music and develop his group: in those years, even Easy Cure. The name that Robert did not like so much, the group changed in 1977.
The first musical failures
The Cure began her career by making covers of songs by famous musicians: David Bowie, Jimmy Hendrix and others. After the first author songs appeared, written by Robert, Paul Stephen Thompson and Peter O'Toole joined the group. Together they began their musical career. Robert himself, as if not avoiding it, had taken the place of the frontman.
In 1977, Hansa Records organized a music talent contest, where the group won first place. But the success did not last long, Hansa Records refused to sign a contract with the young group and record the album.
The beginning of a grand career
Already in 1977, the Fiction Records studio “took up” the group, and soon the first album was recorded. The songs, written by Robert Smith, were poorly received, accused the group of racism due to the single Killing an Arab. The listeners did not understand that in fact the composition was written under the impression of Robert from the book “Alien” by Albert Camus, but it was difficult to explain this to the public.
Until 1980, the band was supporting S&TB, and Robert Smith himself was “torn” between S&TB and The Cure. At the end of the tour, the team expected great success and new loyal fans of their work.
Gothic mood
Soon the group released their second album, called Seventeen Seconds, the single of which falls into the top 10 best in the UK. The mood of the songs is getting sadder, but this does not stop the fans from appreciating the work.
Robert Smith does not even notice how the songs he wrote more and more “sadden” the audience. Although Robert did not suffer from constant depression, his songs were too suicidal, and because of this mood, Matthew Hartley leaves the group.
The guys worked hard. The image of real rebel rockers and songs filled with terrible sadness drove every artist crazy. Robert himself catches himself with the thought that he does not understand anything, is in some kind of trance. In addition, he begins to use hard drugs. Such brain stimulation gave a new mood to the songs of the group — now they were not sad, but aggressive.
From a leader, Robert turns into a dictator, and soon only Tolhurst will remain in the group. For some period, the team ceases to exist literally at the peak of its popularity.
Rebirth The Cure
The bride of Robert Mary Pole takes the groom to Wales. There, his condition improves significantly, an adequate perception of reality returns to him.
For several years, the group has been working only on separate joint songs. Robert performs at S&TB, uses drugs and again returns to his previous rhythm of life. He communicates with former members of the group, under the onslaught of the producers he writes individual songs, which, to his great surprise, even win success.
After a while, Robert Smith is already involved in three groups, then in two. Drug addiction returns, the musician loses control over the situation, soon decides to leave S&TB and work only in The Cure. The previous period negatively affected Smith's health, both physical and mental, but he leaves no hope.
Robert, Lawrence and Severin perform along with drummer Andy Anderson and bass player Phil Tornelli for some time, starting a new page in the life of the group. True, Anderson will soon leave the line-up due to aggressive behavior, and the group will leave for the next tour with the new talented musician Boris Williams.
New band with new roster
Soon, Simon Gallup returns to Thornelli's place, in the group during the recording of albums nobody uses drugs.
In 1986, fans were stunned by the change in the image of the group leader: he cut his hair, changed. During this period, The Cure regularly releases albums and tours around the world. However, already in 1989, the leader of the group expelled Lawrence because of his constant drunkenness. The latter did not come to rehearsals, practically did not take part in the life of the group. It was difficult for Robert to make such a choice, since they had long-standing friendship with Lawrence, but the interests of the group were more important.
In 1990, again due to disagreements with the leader, O'Donnell, who had been performing with The Cure for the past two years, left the band. In his place came Perry Bamont, who had previously been involved in organizing the work of the band. Already in 1991, the team was named "The best group in the UK."
The personal life of Robert Smith
Despite a rather wild lifestyle, constant concerts and crowds of female fans, the rock star has been loyal to one girl for many years - Mary Pool Smith. They married in 1988, had known each other for many years before, and remain faithful to each other to this day.
The British guitarist himself does not really like to talk about his wife, keeping his personal life a secret. From the very beginning of the relationship, Robert Smith and his wife decided that they would not have children: according to Robert, he is a terrible father and will not be able to give children a decent upbringing. But he diligently fulfills the role of uncle with his nephews.
Robert Smith's life views
I hated studying and teachers. Already from school, he decided that he would create a rock band and would be a popular musician.
Robert is a leader both in life and in the group. He does not tolerate when something goes wrong for him.
The rock star admits: he is quite lazy in everything that does not apply to music.
In life, despite the rather depressing mood of the songs, Robert is a cheerful and cheerful person.
With current and former members of the group, he often gathers to record joint songs and "just chat".
The hobby of the musician is astronomy.
Robert loves the sea and often travels to his small house on the coast.
The musician knows how to play the guitar, violin, keyboards and double bass. But, according to Robert, his vocal talent is not so unique.
Among all the members of the group, the leader is best “going through” concerts and tours. He remained faithful to The Cure to the last and even today continues to delight fans with new songs, albums and concerts.
Back in his school years, Robert began to use stage makeup and wear long hair. Today he remains true to his image, as his wife likes him.
The musician admits: at concerts they drink a lot of alcohol, but does not imagine how the performances would be otherwise.
- Tim Burton wanted The Cure to write a song for his film, Edward Scissorhands, but Robert refused at that time. After many years, the director will present the leader of the group with a special award and admits that in his youth the songs of the group helped him survive the depression.