The Cure are an English rock band formed in 1978 in Crawley, West Sussex, by singer, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith. Over more than four decades the band have become one of the most influential alternative rock acts in the world, known for blending melancholy atmospheres with bright pop melodies. Emerging from the late-1970s post-punk scene, The Cure developed a distinctive sound that moved between dark, introspective albums and euphoric pop singles. Records such as Disintegration, Pornography, and Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me helped define the gothic and alternative rock movements of the 1980s, while songs like Just Like Heaven, Friday I'm in Love, and Boys Don't Cry became enduring classics. Led consistently by Robert Smith, whose distinctive voice, guitar style and iconic appearance became synonymous with the band, The Cure have sold tens of millions of records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. Their influence continues to span generations of alternative, indie and gothic artists.
