Pearl Thompson, previously known as Porl Thompson, is an English musician and artist best known for being the former guitarist of the Cure.
Career
Thompson was a member of the Easy Cure, which was a precursor to The Cure. Thompson left Easy Cure to go toart college; his style did not mesh well with Smith's approach to songwriting. Thompson went on to become of member of The Exotic Pandas and occasionally played with The Glove, a collaboration between Siouxsie and the Banshees’ Steven Severin and Smith. Thompson joined The Cure in 1983, playing saxophone. He helped record the albumThe Top. During the Top tour, he played keyboard as well as guitar and saxophone, and also performed with The Glove when they appeared on television. Thompson left the Cure in 1994 to play with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin during the Page and Plant tour of 1995. He also played with Babacar, a band formed by Boris Williams, following his departure from the Cure. Later, Thompson formed another project called Quietly Torn. Thompson continued working with Robert Plant, joining the singer's group for the 2002 release Dreamland. Thompson joined the Cure again in June 2005. Thompson was with the band for the recording of the live DVD'; for the recording of the band's 13th studio album, '; and for the band's 2007-2008 4Tour. In 2007, Schecter Guitars released a Porl Thompson Signature model featuring graphics by the British artist Kev Grey. The guitar was featured in the book 108 Rock Star Guitars by photographer Lisa S. Johnson. Thompson is featured on the albumCallus by Gonjasufi, released in August 2016.
As an artist
Thompson and background designer Andy Vella were the co-founders of Parched Art. Parched Art produced many of the record sleeves found on the Cure's albums. The most recognisable record sleeves were primarily drawn, painted, or photographed by Thompson. In 2002, Thompson also had an exhibition of paintings in Cornwall, UK and Canada titled "100% SKY". In March 2015, Thompson's first US painting exhibition of abstract landscape paintings was held at Mr MusicHead Art Gallery on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition was entitled "...Through the eyes of birds". The work was inspired by remote Malibu canyons and desert landscapes. Also in 2015, Thompson announced that he would focus his endeavors on his art work.
Personal life
Though close friends had long used the name "Pearl" as nickname, Thompson's first name was legally changed to "Pearl" in 2011. Thompson is noted for being reclusive and private.
