In the world of alternative rock, few bands have left an indelible mark like The Cure. With a career spanning over four decades, the British band has consistently pushed the boundaries of music, experimenting with various genres and styles to create a unique sound that has captivated audiences worldwide. In 2006, MTV recognized The Cure's immense contribution to music by honoring them with the prestigious "MTV Icon" award. This tribute was a testament to the band's enduring influence and their iconic status in the music industry.
Before the tribute show, there was the medium itself. In the early 1980s, MTV was a chaotic playground of new wave theatrics. While hair metal bands celebrated hedonism, The Cure approached the music video as a short film. From the stark, expressionist shadows of Let’s Go to Bed to the haunting, slow-motion melancholy of Close to Me (with its infamous cramped wardrobe), The Cure understood that the video was not just a commercial for a single—it was an extension of the song’s emotional architecture.
By 2004, The Cure had spent two decades as the godfathers of a genre—goth rock—that MTV had largely ignored during its commercial peak. The Icon show was an apology and a coronation. The format was classic early-2000s MTV: contemporary artists covering the honoree’s hits. However, the lineup revealed the band's immense cross-genre reach. MTV Icon The Cure
The Cure's legacy extends far beyond their music. They have been a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion, art, and literature. Robert Smith's iconic hair, a towering figure of bright red locks, has become an instantly recognizable symbol of the band. The Cure's music has also been featured in various films, TV shows, and commercials, cementing their status as a timeless icon.
Robert looked at the screen, then back at the kid, and said softly, "I spent twenty years trying to write songs that would make people feel less alone in the dark. Now I’m standing in a room full of bright lights, and everyone is cheering for the darkness." In the world of alternative rock, few bands
Hosted by and British presenter Alex Zane , the evening was structured as a tribute concert where rising stars and established alternative acts performed reimagined versions of classic Cure tracks while the band watched from a VIP balcony.
To call The Cure an “MTV Icon” is to acknowledge their reach beyond the speakers. In the 1980s, high school lunchrooms were tribal battlegrounds: the jocks, the preps, the metalheads, and the mods. But standing in the corner, or sitting outside the cafeteria entirely, were the “Cure kids.” This tribute was a testament to the band's
The Cure's journey began in 1976 when Robert Smith, then a student at the University of Kent, formed the band with his friends Michael Dempsey and Lol Tolhurst. Initially called "The Easybeats," they later changed their name to The Cure, reportedly inspired by David Bowie's song "Cure for the It." The band's early years were marked by a post-punk sound, which gradually evolved into a more gothic rock-oriented style. Their debut single, "The End of the World," was released in 1979, but it was their second single, "A Forest," that brought them their first taste of success.
The MTV Icon tribute to The Cure was a fitting recognition of the band's immense contribution to music. With a career spanning over four decades, The Cure has left an indelible mark on alternative rock. Their influence can be seen in countless bands that have followed in their footsteps, and their music continues to inspire new generations of fans. As a testament to their enduring appeal, The Cure remains one of the most beloved and respected bands in the music industry.