Just don't equate them to the Mamas and Papas! :lol: :lol:
You're right Geoff, but only because that would be a terrible disservice to The Cure.
Let's see, the Mama & Papas lasted for 5 years, and their best album was their debut, followed by a couple of also pretty good albums, and then 3 mediocre ones. They had good chart succes for 3 years and are credited with the creation of 'sunshine pop'. You will have to help out on this, but even in their heyday, did they have miliions of devoted fans who thought they were the best band ever?
The Cure have lasted for 25 years, 20 albums, with no real clunkers among them (at least not by the AMG ratings, I certainly haven't listened to them all) and at least one 4-star album in the 70's, 80's & 90's. They had one Top 10 and a couple other chart hits, but are Alt radio gods. They are credited with the creation of 'goth rock'. They
do have literally millions of fans who believe they are the best band ever.
I'd say each band has had a comparable import in influencing the development of their respective subgenres.
You are completely entitled to your preferences, but the Mamas & Papas were a relative flash-in-the-pan compared to the Cure, and Top 10 chart success notwithstanding, the Cure have been far more popular for a far longer period of time.
ETA: And one of the top 5 concerts I have seen in my own life, probably Top 2.