Perry Archangelo Bamonte, a longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the influential British band The Cure, has died at the age of 65. The band confirmed his death on Friday through a statement posted on its official website.
Bamonte passed away at home over Christmas following a short illness, according to the band. Members of The Cure described him as a deeply important part of the group’s history, praising both his musicianship and his character.
“It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte,” the statement read. “Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm-hearted and vital part of The Cure story. He will be very greatly missed.”
Bamonte’s relationship with The Cure began in the mid-1980s, when he worked behind the scenes as a roadie and guitar technician from 1984 to 1989. His transition into a full-time band member came in 1990, following the departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell. From that point on, Bamonte played multiple roles within the group, contributing on guitar, six-string bass and keyboards.
Joining shortly after the band’s commercial and critical breakthrough with the 1989 album “Disintegration,” Bamonte became part of a prolific era for The Cure. He appeared on several major releases, including the 1992 album “Wish,” which featured the enduring hits “Friday I’m in Love” and “High.” He also contributed to “Wild Mood Swings” in 1996, “Bloodflowers” in 2000 and the band’s self-titled album released in 2004.
In 2005, Bamonte was dismissed from the band by frontman Robert Smith after 14 years as a touring and recording member, during which time he performed in more than 400 concerts worldwide. Despite that separation, Bamonte later rejoined The Cure and toured with the band again in 2022, adding another 90 performances to his legacy.
In 2019, Bamonte was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside the rest of The Cure, cementing his place in the band’s long and influential history.
His final performance with the group took place on Nov. 1, 2024, in London during a special one-off concert celebrating the release of The Cure’s first studio album in 16 years, “Songs of a Lost World.” The performance was filmed and released globally in cinemas this month under the title “The Cure: The Show of a Lost World,” and is now available on Blu-ray and DVD.
The Associated Press praised “Songs of a Lost World,” describing it as “lush and deeply orchestral, swelling and powerful,” and ranking it among the strongest works of the band’s career.
Bamonte is survived by his family, to whom the band extended its condolences, saying his presence and contributions would remain a lasting part of The Cure’s story.