Robert James Smith, born on 21 April 1959 in Blackpool, is a renowned British musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of The Cure, a pivotal band in the post-punk and gothic rock movements. Smith remains the band’s only continuous member, having shaped its sound since its formation in 1976. Raised in a musical household, Smith was the third of four children to Rita Mary (née Emmott) and James Alexander Smith. His father was a singer, and his mother played the piano, which likely influenced his early musical development. Initially raised as a Catholic, Smith later became an atheist. His family moved frequently during his childhood, living in Horley, Crawley, and later, in Sussex, where Smith attended several schools. As a child, Smith and his younger sister Janet received piano lessons, with Smith joking about sibling rivalry leading him to switch to guitar. His brother Richard taught him basic guitar chords when Smith was around seven years old, sparking his interest in the instrument.
Smith’s distinctive style and image, characterized by a pale complexion, smeared red lipstick, black eyeliner, unruly black hair, and all-black clothing, became iconic and highly influential in the goth subculture that emerged in the 1980s. His playing style, voice, and fashion choices, along with his dark, introspective lyrics, helped define a genre that resonated with youth at the time. Before founding The Cure, Smith gained experience as a guitarist in other bands, including Siouxsie and the Banshees, where he played lead guitar from 1982 to 1984, and the short-lived band The Glove, which he co-founded in 1983. Smith’s early musical training began at the age of nine when he took classical guitar lessons from a student of the renowned guitarist John Williams. However, he soon grew frustrated with formal lessons, deciding to teach himself by ear, listening to his older brother’s record collection. By the age of 13 or 14, Smith became serious about rock music, learning rapidly and developing his own distinctive sound.
Smith’s early guitar journey included receiving his own guitar for Christmas in 1972, a gift from his brother. While Smith later claimed to have purchased his iconic “Top 20” guitar from Woolworths in 1978, rock biographer Jeff Apter suggests that it was, in fact, a present from his parents. Regardless, this guitar became an essential part of The Cure’s early sound and Smith’s musical identity. In 2019, Smith and The Cure were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, marking a major milestone in his career. In 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him as the 157th greatest singer of all time, cementing his influence and legacy in rock history. Throughout his career, Smith’s songwriting for The Cure, often dealing with themes of love, isolation, and melancholy, resonated deeply with audiences. His influence on both the goth rock genre and broader alternative music scenes is undeniable, with his unique voice and introspective lyrics continuing to inspire artists and fans worldwide.
The Cure Headlined at British Summer Time celebrating their 40th anniversary at Hyde Park, 7 July 2018, featuring Robert Smith, Simon Gallup, Roger O’Donnell.
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