About Robert Smith (musician)
Robert James Smith (born 21 April 1959) is an English musician who is the co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter, and only continuous member of the Cure, a post-punk band formed in 1976. His guitar-playing style (including his use of the Fender Bass VI), and distinctive singing voice shaped the sounding identity of the Cure. His fashion sense (often sporting a pale complexion, smeared red lipstick, black eye-liner, unkempt wiry black hair and all-black clothes) were highly influential on the goth subculture that rose to prominence in the 1980s. Smith's other work includes playing the lead guitar as a member of Siouxsie and the Banshees from 1982 to 1984 and being the co-founder of the short-lived band the Glove in 1983. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Cure in 2019, and Rolling Stone magazine ranked him as the 157th greatest singer of all time in 2023. He gave up formal tuition and began teaching himself to play by ear, listening to his older brother's record collection. Smith has said that his first band when he was 14 consisted of himself, his brother Richard, their younger sister Janet, and some of Richard's friends. Of their first "proper" rehearsal at St Edwards Church, Smith said: I think it all came about because Marc Ceccagno wanted to be a guitar hero.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.