The Keyboard Chronicles

The Keyboard Chronicles


Roger O’Donnell – The Cure / Psychedelic Furs / Solo Artist (Part 2)

October 12, 2025

In this second part of our interview with Roger O’Donnell, we dive deeper into Roger’s time with The Cure by walking through each Cure album Roger worked on in reverse order. We also chat on composing for ballet, a great on-stage train wreck and a whole lot more. Watch Part 1 here.

To listen / watch:

Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

The strength of The Cure’s live show

The Cure in action at Glastonbury 2019

The Cure live in 2024 – A Forest

Working on 2004’s album – The Cure

The Cure’s approach to songwriting

Working on Bloodflowers

Wild Mood Swings period

Roger’s current touring rig with The Cure

Recreating the keyboard sounds of the earlier albums by The Cure

The more challenging songs by The Cure to play, including The Top

Roger playing Like Cockatoos live in 2018

One of the 9 million times Roger has loved playing Just Like Heaven

The recording of Disintegration

Thoughts for younger players entering the music industry

A memorable on-stage train wreck

The next decade of Roger’s career and the long-term passion of a ballet on The Picture of Dorian Gray

A taste of Roger O’Donnell’s classical work

On not playing music during an extended illness

Desert Island Discs: Head Hunters – Herbie Hancock, Mahavishnu Orchestra – Birds of Fire, The Grand Wazoo – Frank Zappa, Electric Ladyland – Jimi Hendrix, Songs From The Silver Box – Roger O’Donnell.

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