The music world is in mourning following the death of Perry Archangelo Bamonte, the longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the legendary goth rock band The Cure. He was 65 years old.
A Quiet and Creative Force
The band announced the sad news on their official website on Friday, revealing Bamonte passed away at home over the Christmas period after a short illness. In a heartfelt statement, they described him as a "vital part of The Cure story."
The band wrote: "It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte. Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm hearted and vital part of The Cure story. Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed."
From Roadie to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer
Bamonte's journey with The Cure began long before he became a full member. He first worked with the group in various support roles from 1984 to 1989, serving as a roadie and guitar technician. His big break came in 1990 when he officially joined the band following keyboardist Roger O’Donnell's departure.
This promotion came hot on the heels of the band's mainstream breakthrough with the seminal 1989 album Disintegration. As a full-time member, Bamonte's multi-instrumental talent shone, contributing guitar, six-string bass, and keyboard parts to several key albums in The Cure's discography.
His playing features on:
- 1992's Wish (home to massive hits like Friday I'm in Love and High)
- 1996's Wild Mood Swings
- 2000's Bloodflowers
- 2004's eponymous album, The Cure
Over 14 years, he performed in more than 400 shows before being fired by frontman Robert Smith in 2005. However, his connection to the band endured. He rejoined for touring in recent years, playing another 90 gigs with them in 2022. In 2019, Bamonte was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside his bandmates.
A Final Performance for a New Era
Bamonte's final appearance with The Cure was a poignant one. He took to the stage with them on 1 November 2024 in London for a special one-off event. The concert launched the band's first new album in 16 years, Songs of a Lost World.
That historic show was filmed for the cinematic release The Cure: The Show of a Lost World, which hit global cinemas this month and is also available on Blu-ray and DVD. It stands as a fitting final chapter to the musical contributions of a deeply respected and creative figure in alternative rock history.
