NEW YORK — Perry Bamonte, the seasoned guitarist and keyboardist renowned for his contributions to the iconic goth band The Cure, has passed away at the age of 65.
The band shared the somber news on their official website this past Friday, expressing their heartfelt loss.
“It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our dear friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte, who succumbed to a brief illness at home over the Christmas period,” the band stated.
The announcement continued, “Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant, and immensely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm-hearted and integral part of The Cure’s journey. Our thoughts and condolences go out to all his family. He will be profoundly missed.”
Bamonte’s journey with The Cure began in 1984, when he took on roles such as roadie and guitar technician. His official induction into the band came in 1990, following the departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell. It was then that Bamonte became a permanent fixture, showcasing his talents on guitar, six-string bass, and keyboard.
Joining The Cure shortly after their major breakthrough with 1989’s “Disintegration,” Bamonte played a significant role on several of the band’s albums. Notably, he contributed to 1992’s “Wish,” which includes the beloved hits “Friday I’m in Love” and “High,” as well as on the albums “Wild Mood Swings” (1996), “Bloodflowers” (2000), and their self-titled release in 2004.
Bamonte was fired from The Cure by its singer and leader, Robert Smith, in 2005. At that point in time, he had performed at over 400 shows across 14 years. Bamonte rejoined the group in recent years, touring with the band in 2022 for another 90 gigs.
In 2019, Bamonte was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside the rest of The Cure.
His last performance with the band was on Nov. 1, 2024, in London for a special one-off event to launch their latest album and first in 16 years, “Songs of a Lost World.” The concert was filmed for “The Cure: The Show of a Lost World,” a film released in cinemas globally this month. It is also available to purchase on Blu-ray and DVD.
The Associated Press described “Songs of a Lost World” as “lush and deeply orchestral, swelling and powerful” — one of the best of the band’s career.
.
