80's Extravaganza Part III
In the 80s a few bands crossed over from the alternative into the mainstream and one of the first to do so was The Cure. The Cure was a odd mixture of deep base driven music with strong melodic music with a lead singer who generally sounded like he was strangling himself while singing. The Cure's lead singer and only original band member through the years Robert Smith is credited with being the originator of the Goth look.
From their 1980 album entitled Boys Don't Cry here is a god awful video for a great song. Killing an Arab....
Robert Smith has said that Killing an Arab is not meant to be racist rather it is a tribute to Albert Camus' book The Stranger. Having never read it myself, I'll have to take his word for it.
In the mid to late 80s with big hair and make up being back in style The Cure was able to crossover into the mainstream, especially with their album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me and its follow up Disintigration. Here is Robert Smith in all his goth glory in the video for Lullaby.
80's Music, Killing an Arab, Lullaby, The cure
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Robert Smith also made an important contribution to another 80's goth band that frequently had guitarist issues, Siouxsie and the Banshees. In addition filling in on tour (including their live album Nocturne), Smith played guitar on Banshee's 6th studio album Hyæna.
Here's Smith skulking about Venice in the video for Souxsie and the Banshee's cover of Dear Prudence