The Cure (formed in 1976) are an English rock band, originally comprised of primary songwriter Robert Smith, drummer Lol Tolhurst, and bassist Michael Dempsey—later replaced by Simon Gallup. Before recording 1989’s Disintegration, Robert Smith became worried that his band would never record a masterpiece since he was approaching 30-years-of-age.

The Cure’s career to that point had been defined by a defiance against people’s expectations for them. Formed as a punk band, their label pushed them toward pop for their first album. Smith alienated half his bandmates by writing more somber music following a spell playing for Siouxsie And The Banshees. After reaching new heights with 1982’s Pornography, they nearly broke up before switching back to a more pop-oriented style. While gentle hints from the label played a role, so did Smith’s distaste for being pigeon-holed as “gothic.”

This was followed by a period of positive and eclectic sounds, peaking with 1987’s Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. The double album was a huge success, charting in America. The Cure were continually seen as a pop band, and Smith was more fed up than ever. He wrote songs that were true to his vision for The Cure, intent on making a masterpiece while he was still 29. With Disintegration, he certainly succeeded.

The group would continue to find success with subsequent releases, including their Greatest Hits compilation, their eponymous 2004 comeback record, and 2008’s 4:13 Dream.

In 2019, they were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.