The Cure emerged in the post-punk 70s and defied all expectations to launch a marathon career marked by hit records and a string of sell-out arena shows. In 2004, after numerous personnel changes, the band delivered their Greatest Hits album in 2004.This biography traces the roots in middle-class Crawley, Sussex and tracks their gradual rise, revealing how their first major album Pornography, almost ended the band well before their multi-platinum career began. It also documents Smith's escape in