Porl Thompson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Thompson was a school friend of Robert Smith, Michael Dempsey, and Lol Tolhurst and played with them in various local bands that eventually evolved into the Easy Cure. He adopted the stage name Porl Thompson to avoid confusion with Paul Thompson of Roxy Music. His guitar style did not mesh with Smith's post-punk songwriting, so he left the Easy Cure to go to art college; the band then changed their name to the Cure. After art school, Thompson formed an artistic partnership with Andy Vella for music-related projects, later known as Parched Art. In 1981, Thompson volunteered his services for the Cure's single and album covers, with his first designs being the "Primary" single and then the Faith album. Parched Art would design most of the Cure's album and single covers until the early 1990s. While observing the Cure in the studio in late 1983, Thompson was invited by Smith to play saxophone on a song for The Top. He then officially joined the Cure, first appearing in videos and television performances for songs from The Top and playing guitar and keyboards on the ensuing tour, though he did not play on most of the album's studio recordings. When Robert Smith revamped the Cure's lineup in 1984, Thompson became the band's lead guitarist and occasionally played keyboards and other instruments. His first album as a full-time member was The Head on the Door in 1985. Thompson left the Cure in 1993 to spend more time with his young children. He rejoined in 2005 and played on the 2008 album 4:13 Dream. In 2011 he left again to focus on art. In 2019, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Cure.

In Their Own Story

Thompson spent his early childhood in London and his family later moved to Crawley. As an album cover artist, he preferred to attend recording sessions so the mood of the music could inform his designs. While observing the Cure in the studio in late 1983, Thompson was invited by Smith to play saxophone on a song that would be included in The Top the following year. He then officially joined the Cure, first appearing in videos and television performances for songs from The Top and playing guitar and keyboards on the ensuing tour. When Robert Smith revamped the Cure's lineup in 1984, Thompson became the band's lead guitarist. He is often cited as the most technically proficient musician in the Cure's history. His first album as a full-time member was The Head on the Door in 1985. After leaving the Cure in 1993, he joined the touring band for Page and Plant starting in 1994. In the late 1990s he made guest appearances on albums by Presence and Babacar, and formed his own short-lived band called Quietly Torn. He held his first art exhibition in 1999. In 2002, Thompson contributed to the album Dreamland by Robert Plant. He rejoined the Cure in 2005 and played on their 2008 album 4:13 Dream. During this period, Schecter Guitars released a Thompson signature model featuring graphics by artist Kev Grey. The guitar was featured in the book 108 Rock Star Guitars by photographer Lisa S. Johnson. In 2011 he left the Cure again to focus on art. Thompson is featured on the 2016 album Callus by rapper Gonjasufi. In 2019, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Cure.

Reader's Guide

Thompson's career with the Cure spans two periods: 1983 to 1993 and 2005 to 2011. He played mainly guitar with occasional keyboards and saxophone. His first album as a full-time member was The Head on the Door (1985). He also contributed to The Top (1984) on saxophone, though he did not play on most of the album's studio recordings. After leaving the Cure in 1993, he joined Page and Plant's touring band in 1994. He contributed to Robert Plant's Dreamland (2002). He rejoined the Cure in 2005 and played on 4:13 Dream (2008). He left again in 2011. As an artist, he co-founded Parched Art with Andy Vella, designing most of the Cure's album and single covers until the early 1990s. He held his first exhibition in 1999, and in 2002 held an exhibition titled "100% Sky" in England and Canada. In 2015, he held his first US exhibition titled "...Through the Eyes of Birds" at MusicHead Art Gallery in Los Angeles. He earned a degree in illustration with honors from the University of Brighton. He legally changed his name to Pearl Thompson in 2012.

Did You Know?

• Thompson adopted the stage name Porl Thompson to avoid confusion with Paul Thompson of Roxy Music.
• He designed the Cure's 'Primary' single cover and the Faith album cover in 1981.
• He is often cited as the most technically proficient musician in the Cure's history.
• Thompson legally changed his name to Pearl Thompson in 2012 to signify his art career.
• He earned a degree in illustration with honors from the University of Brighton in 2020.