The Cure is one of the classic rock bands that has stood the test of time. They have sold over 27 million albums all over the world and topped the charts with songs like Let's Go To Bed, Just Like Heaven, and The End of the World. The band was put together by the only remaining original member, Robert Smith. Smith's creativity and distaste for anything mainstream gives the band its quirky and unpredictable sound that audiences love. The Cure has just announced the dates for their first US tour in years, and tickets are sure to go fast. Get yours now before you miss your chance to experience The Cure live in 2008!
The Cure was originally a punk band and was first named Easy Cure. It was formed while Robert was still attending school in Southern England. Smith, Lol Tolhurst, and bassist Michael Dempsey met there and recorded their first album, Three Imaginary Boys, in 1979. By the time the band's name was changed to The Cure, they had a much heavier and darker sound than the ordinary punk bands of the day. Dempsey had been replaced by Simon Gallup, and songs like Fire in Cairo and A Forest were topping the UK charts.
The band made the transition to the United States with their single Let's Go To Bed in 1981. They were also going through a lot of other alterations as several members, including Simon Gallup and keyboardist Matthieu Hartley, deserted the band leaving only Smith and Tolhurst as the remaining members. Nevertheless, The Cure kept producing chart-topping music, although their sound became a bit more lighthearted and jazzy, almost leaning towards pop music.
Despite the volatility of the band, some stability returned in 1985 with the return of Simon Gallup. Along with Gallup came new members Porl Thompson, keyboardist Roger O'Donnell, and drummer Boris Williams. Their next album, The Head on the Door, reached number 59 on the Billboard charts proving that their popularity was growing not only in the United Kingdom but in the United States as well.
The Cure's next album, Disintegration, released in 1989, reached number three in the UK and broke through the Top 20 on the Billboard charts. After ten years of hard work, the band began touring in the United States, playing to enormous stadiums and selling out of tickets. In 1991, The Cure was awarded the BRIT Award for Best British Band and had a number one album with Wish.
Although the 90s brought great success, the band was once again in turmoil. Lol Tolhurst was suing the band, claiming the name was his, and Roger O'Donnell, Porl Thompson, Simon Gallup, and Boris Williams all moved on to bigger and better things. However, by 1996, the band had once again solidified with their new album Wild Mood Swings which featured Perry Bamonte on guitar, Jason Cooper on drums, Roger O'Donnell rejoining the band, and of course, Robert Smith on vocals.
Since that time, The Cure has toured many of the major venues in the United States and sold out tickets at many of their concerts. They have also released several hits compilation albums, been nominated for a Grammy, featured on several Hollywood soundtracks, and Robert Smith has even made an appearance on the television show South Park. Their albums include Three Imaginary Boys, Seventeen Seconds, Faith, Pornography, The Top, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, Disintegration, Bloodflowers, and The Cure.
