Perry Bamonte, the versatile multi-instrumentalist who served as a longtime guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, passed away during the Christmas holiday. The legendary English rock band shared the news in a heartfelt official statement on Friday, December 26. He was 65 years old.
“It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte, who passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas,” the band expressed. Described as “quiet, intense, intuitive, and hugely creative,” Bamonte—affectionately known as ‘Teddy’—was remembered as a vital and warm-hearted pillar of the group’s history.
Bamonte’s journey with the Robert Smith-led outfit began in 1984 as a road technician before he transitioned into a full-time member in 1990. His contributions were central to some of the band’s most commercially successful and critically acclaimed eras. He provided guitar, six-string bass, and keyboards for the 1992 masterpiece Wish, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and featured the iconic anthem “Friday I’m in Love.” His credits also span 1996’s Wild Mood Swings, 2000’s Bloodflowers, and the band’s 2004 self-titled release.
Born in London on September 3, 1960, Bamonte spent 14 years in his initial stint with the band, performing in over 400 concerts. In 2019, his indispensable role in rock history was solidified when he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside his bandmates, with Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor delivering the induction honors. The Cure’s signature atmospheric sound, to which Bamonte contributed significantly, has been cited as a foundational influence for artists ranging from The Smashing Pumpkins to Phoebe Bridgers.
After nearly two decades away from the lineup, Bamonte made a celebrated return to the stage in 2022. He performed an additional 90 shows during this final chapter, including the historic Show of a Lost World concert in London on November 1, 2024. “Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family,” the band concluded. “He will be very greatly missed.”
