Living next door to Robert Smith

My family moved into the house next door to Robert Smith in about 1974 when my son, Steven, was 13 and Robert was 15. They obviously knew each other, as neighbours, but did not move in the same circles because Steve went to Hazelwick school and Robert went to St Wilfreds. At that time Robert was already musical and played the piano.

Robert’s father had a studio built in his garden so that Robert and his friends could practice their music. They were trying to form a band and his father gave him a year to succeed. The studio was right under our bedroom window so we were frequently woken by their music well into the night. My husband and I didn’t think much of their taste in music but Steve did, so when Robert and Lol went to play for the pupils at Hazelwick, and were looking for new musicians, Steve auditioned in guitar and drums but was turned down!

He did, however hear strains of what turned out to be their first hit, “Boys Don’t Cry” coming from the studio. Some time after that Robert stopped playing at home. Another neighbour, Mark, who was a great fan, became a roadie for Easy Cure, as they were then called, for a while.                                                                                                         (Wendy Paton)

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Dave Carter

3 years ago

And I was Wendys next door neighbour before she moved next to Robert. Used to play football in the close outside their house with Steven mid70s. Became Cure made about 1979. The pic of the lovecats 7” is mine btw. Hello Wendy

Wendy Paton

3 years ago

Hi David, Good to hear from you. Do you still live in Crawley? I live in Three Bridges now. Have you got a family? Wendy

Dave Carter

3 years ago

Hi ya Wendy, yup still here. I’m in Maidenbower, and yeah have two girls aged 21 and 23. The Mark you mentioned in your info, I was his best man at his wedding, about early 90s 🙂 Still very good friends. We met in late 80s at The Tavern on The Green, Pound Hill, we were both wearing The Cure T-Shirts 🙂 How is Steven? Mark and I always wondered how he is doing.

Marco Bove

12 months ago

Hello Wendy do you still live in Three Bridge?
We meet in Crawley Museum .
Kind regards.

Mark

Mark ROBERTS

3 years ago

Your piece is interesting. I too was a neighbour of Rob. I lived in the road directly behind their property and during my teens, i too regularly witnessed their recording attempts when i used to jump over the fence and watch from their garden. I went so far as to organise their show at Crawley College in 1979 and set up the stage. It was chaos. The Rocket was my favourite for entertainment. I too went to Hazlewick but do not remember Steve. My mum might know? I am 58 and a Cure fan for life

Ewelina Pyrek

3 years ago

Hello, I have just bought a house in Pound Hill and being The Cure fan would love to know Ron’s old address just to see the street where it all started.

mark

2 years ago

me and my partner bought the smith family house last year
speaking to the neighbours they sounded like a very nice family
not a fan of the cure but i can appreciate the success they had in the past and still have with a loyal fan base

Laura

9 months ago

Wow mark! That’s amazing that you live in the family home. I’m a mega Cure fan and extremely envious. I saw that it sold last year and I’m not sure but think it was owned by his parents right up until his dad died. I’m not sure if anybody lived in it for a few years after or if it was just laying empty. I’m interested to know if the shed/summer house his father built is still in the garden?

Paul

4 months ago

I’m curious as well!

Fabrizio Scanferla

2 years ago

Hello Wendy, I would like to know the exact address… to see where all started!!! thank you

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