News

Future of The Cure in doubt as bassist Simon Gallup quits after 40 years

The future of the band The Cure is in doubt after Simon Gallup, longtime bassist, announced he is quitting the legendary goth-rock band after more than 40 years.

The longest-serving group member alongside frontman Robert Smith, Gallup posted on his Facebook page: “With a slightly heavy heart I am no longer a member of The Cure! Good luck to them all…”

Asked if he was OK, Gallup apparently responded: “I’m OK… just got fed up of betrayal.”

Neither Gallup or The Cure, who have sold 30 million records and enjoy a devoted global following, would elaborate on the dispute.

Smith has questioned whether The Cure would continue without Gallup, who first joined in 1979.

Describing the bassist’s importance, Smith told the New Musical Express (NME) in 2019: “For me, the heart of the live band has always been Simon, and he’s always been my best friend… he’s absolutely vital to what we do.”

Gallup temporarily left in 1982 after mounting tensions with Smith while on the Pornography tour, rejoining in 1984.

Smith acknowledged “some difficult periods over the years but we’ve managed to maintain a very strong friendship that grew out of that shared experience from when we were teens.”

“When you have friends like that, particularly for that long, it would take something really extraordinary for that friendship to break.”

The Cure’s last studio album was 2008’s 4:13 Dream, but Smith said the band had recorded enough material for two new albums, promising an imminent release two years ago. The singer, 62, has indicated that next The Cure album could be their last.

Gallup’s resonant basslines were a key feature on The Cure’s “Dark Trilogy” of albums – 1980’s Seventeen Seconds, 1981’s Faith and 1982’s Pornography.

Gallup persuaded the group to perform at their 2019 induction into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Cure were recognised for their influence over many decades, inspiring “industrial” bands including Nine Inch Nails.

Despite the absence of new material, The Cure continued to headline stadium shows and festivals, playing epic three-hour sets digging deep into their back catalogue.

Robert Smith appeared as a guest vocalist with Gorillaz and appeared onstage with Damon Albarn’s band at the 02 Arena in London, hours before Gallup announced his departure.

Source: msn.com
Added automatically
437 views