The music world is mourning the loss of Perry Bamonte, the acclaimed guitarist and keyboardist for iconic British rock band The Cure, who died at the age of 65 after a brief illness at his home during the Christmas period, the band confirmed.
Bamonte — affectionately known to fans as “Teddy” — was a central figure in The Cure’s sound and history for decades. Born in London on September 3, 1960, he began his long association with the band in 1984 as part of the road crew before becoming frontman Robert Smith’s guitar technician and personal assistant.
In 1990, after keyboardist Roger O’Donnell’s departure, Bamonte was invited to join The Cure as a full-time member, playing guitar, keyboards, six-string bass, and more. His musical contributions can be heard on seminal albums including Wish (1992), Wild Mood Swings, and Bloodflowers, and he performed in hundreds of shows during his initial 14-year tenure.
After parting ways with the band in 2005, Bamonte returned to The Cure’s fold in 2022, performing with them on the Shows of a Lost World tour, one of the band’s most celebrated runs in recent years.
In an official statement, The Cure described Bamonte as “quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative,” calling him “a warm-hearted and vital part of The Cure story.” The band extended condolences to his family and said he will be “very greatly missed.”
Fans and fellow musicians alike have taken to social media to pay tribute to Bamonte’s influence and legacy, remembering him not just for his musical talent but for his gentle spirit and deep commitment to the band’s art. His passing marks a poignant moment for the alternative rock community and all who were touched by his music.
Bamonte’s death comes as The Cure continues to enjoy a resurgence in popularity, with the band’s impact on the post-punk and alternative rock genres acknowledged by fans and critics worldwide.