The Cure’s Perry Bamonte Dies at 65

Perry Bamonte, longtime guitarist and keyboardist of The Cure, has passed away at the age of 65. The band confirmed the news on December 26, sharing that Bamonte died peacefully at home over Christmas following a brief illness. His death marks the loss of a quiet but deeply influential figure in the history of one of Britain’s most iconic bands.

In a statement published on The Cure’s official website, the band paid tribute to Bamonte’s character and creative legacy, describing him as calm, intuitive, constant and profoundly creative. Known affectionately as “Teddy,” Bamonte was remembered as a warm and essential presence across multiple eras of the band’s evolution.

Although many fans associate him with the sound of The Cure in the 1990s, Bamonte’s relationship with the band began much earlier. He first joined their touring operation in 1984, working behind the scenes through his brother Daryl, who was the band’s tour manager at the time. From there, he became Robert Smith’s personal assistant and guitar technician, earning trust long before stepping into the spotlight.

Bamonte officially became a full member of The Cure in 1990, following the departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell. Over the next 14 years, he played guitar, six string bass and keyboards on several defining releases, including Wish, Wild Mood Swings, Bloodflowers, Acoustic Hits and The Cure. During that period, he performed more than 400 concerts, helping shape the band’s live sound during one of its most commercially successful and creatively expansive eras.

His contributions were especially notable on Wish, The Cure’s biggest selling album, where his textures and instrumentation added depth to tracks that would become staples of the band’s catalog. While never a front-facing personality, Bamonte’s presence was felt in the atmosphere, layering and emotional weight of the music.

In 2005, Bamonte stepped away from the band after Robert Smith decided to continue The Cure as a trio. Though his departure marked the end of a long chapter, it was not a final goodbye. He reunited with the band for their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2019, a moment that quietly signaled how integral he remained to their story.

That connection was fully restored in 2022 when Bamonte rejoined The Cure for the global Shows of a Lost World tour. Across more than 90 performances, he once again became part of the band’s core, contributing to concerts widely praised as some of the strongest of their career. His final appearance with The Cure took place in London on November 1, 2024, during The Show of a Lost World.

At the time of his passing, Bamonte had been scheduled to continue touring with The Cure into 2026, including major international dates. Although he did not perform on the band’s most recent studio album, Songs of a Lost World, his role in the live shows reaffirmed his lasting importance to the band’s identity.

Perry Bamonte was never the loudest presence in the room, but his influence ran deep. He helped define the sound of The Cure during a crucial period, not through flash or excess, but through consistency, sensitivity and musical intuition.

He will be deeply missed.