Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, dies at 65

Perry Bamonte, Longtime Guitarist for The Cure, Dies at 65

Perry Archangelo Bamonte, a veteran member of the iconic goth rock band The Cure, has died at the age of 65. The band announced his passing on their official website last Friday, stating he died at home “after a short illness over Christmas.”

In their emotional tribute, The Cure described Bamonte as “quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative,” adding that the musician known affectionately as “Teddy” was “a warm hearted and vital part of The Cure story.” The band expressed their condolences to his family, noting he “will be very greatly missed.”

Bamonte’s journey with The Cure began behind the scenes in 1984, where he worked as a roadie and guitar technician for five years. His role transformed in 1990 when he officially joined as a full member following keyboardist Roger O’Donnell’s departure. Bamonte showcased his versatility by playing guitar, six-string bass, and keyboard throughout his tenure.

His arrival came at a pivotal moment in the band’s trajectory. Having just missed participating in the recording of the band’s commercial breakthrough “Disintegration” (1989), Bamonte became an integral part of The Cure’s subsequent creative output. He contributed to several critically acclaimed albums, including 1992’s “Wish,” which featured the band’s enduring hits “Friday I’m in Love” and “High.”

Bamonte’s musical imprint continued through the band’s evolving sound on “Wild Mood Swings” (1996), “Bloodflowers” (2000), and the self-titled album released in 2004. During his initial 14-year stint with The Cure, he performed at more than 400 concerts worldwide, helping cement the band’s reputation as a formidable live act.

In 2005, frontman Robert Smith made the difficult decision to dismiss Bamonte from the lineup. However, the rift eventually healed, and Bamonte rejoined The Cure for touring in 2022, playing approximately 90 additional shows with the group.

The musician’s contributions to alternative rock were formally recognized in 2019 when he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside his bandmates, highlighting The Cure’s lasting impact on music and culture.

Bamonte’s final performance with The Cure came on November 1, 2024, during a special concert in London that celebrated the release of “Songs of a Lost World,” the band’s first album in 16 years. This poignant farewell performance was captured for posterity in the concert film “The Cure: The Show of a Lost World,” which has been released in cinemas globally and is available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Critics, including The Associated Press, have praised “Songs of a Lost World” as “lush and deeply orchestral, swelling and powerful,” considering it among the finest work in the band’s extensive catalog. Bamonte’s involvement in this final chapter adds a bittersweet dimension to what many consider a triumphant late-career highlight for the legendary group.

Throughout their four-decade career, The Cure has remained one of the most influential alternative rock bands, pioneering the goth rock subgenre while consistently evolving their sound. Bamonte’s contributions, spanning multiple instruments across several of their most significant albums, helped shape the band’s distinctive atmospheric sound that continues to resonate with generations of music fans.

His passing marks another significant loss for the post-punk and alternative rock community, as musicians who defined the sound of the late 20th century continue to leave an indelible legacy on contemporary music.