Born on April 21: Robert Smith (The Cure), the melancholic singer hiding behind a stroke of eyeliner

The third of four children, Robert Smith was born in the United Kingdom on April 21, 1959.

Although a football fan, he abandoned this passion when he discovered the guitar, spending his free time listening to and producing music, far from the stadium stands.

In 1976, he founded his first band with Lol Tolhurst (a friend he met in nursery school) and Michael Dempsey. Easy Cure enabled him to showcase his talents as both a guitarist and a singer. The band decided on the definitive name The Cure a year later. Their first single, "Killing An Arab" (which references the novel "The Stranger" by Albert Camus) quickly placed them into prominence on the English music scene. Composer, singer, producer, guitarist, Smith reigns over The Cure and his goth look complements his emerging legend. The famous "Boys Don’t Cry" was released in 1979 and propelled the band to success, particularly in Australia where they became true stars.

After three albums completing their "Dark Trilogy", the band took a more pop direction, assisted by Tim Pope, who directed all their music videos. And at the end of the 80s, music videos were important! Curemania exploded, centred on Smith’s persona, with his mannerisms and black eye makeup but red-smeared lips. While the shy singer admits he initially hid behind this makeup, it quickly became his visual signature, even inspiring the character of Edward Scissorhands.

In 1984, The Cure returned with the album "The Top", followed by "The Head On The Door" and its two worldwide hits: "In Between Days" and "Close To Me". Their success reached its peak and the fan following has never been more intense. In 1987, "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" consolidated their success once more, although the iconic singer took different directions, including playing with other bands for some time. In 1988, he gave himself a new album, "Disintegration", as a wedding gift. It was the last with Lol Tolhurst, whose alcohol tendencies led to his departure from the band.

Even though they continue to produce albums, the enthusiasm seems to wane afterwards, and in 1996, the wild-haired singer announces the end of the era of The Cure. But like any phoenix, they are reborn, notably with "The Cure" in 2004 and, twenty years later, "Songs Of A Lost World". A tour at the end of 2025 will mark this new release, which should be followed by others since Smith announced that "two other albums are almost ready. I don't really want it to stop", he recently revealed in an interview, although he announced he has planned his retirement for the end of 2029.

(MH with Céline Massart - Photo: © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Robert Smith with The Cure on the stage of the Rock Werchter festival on July 5, 1981.