The Cure guitarist Perry Bamonte passes away at age 65, band pays tribute

One of the iconic members of the English rock band The Cure, Perry Bamonte, passed away at the age of 65 after a brief illness during the Christmas season. The band expressed their sorrow over the loss of their dear friend and bandmate on their official website. Perry significantly contributed to the band’s success, playing guitar, six-string bass, and keyboard on several albums such as Wish, Wild Mood Swings, Bloodflowers, Acoustic Hits, and The Cure.

Perry’s musical talent and creativity shone through in some of The Cure’s biggest hits, including Friday, I’m in Love, A Letter to Elise, and High. Described as quiet, intense, intuitive, and constant, Perry’s bandmates fondly remembered him as a warm-hearted and vital part of The Cure’s history. Affectionately called Teddy, Perry joined The Cure in 1990, initially as part of their road crew, and continued until 2005, rejoining the band in 2022.

Born in London on September 3, 1960, Perry’s journey with The Cure began when he joined them as a part of the road crew under his brother Daryl’s supervision. He later transitioned to becoming Robert Smith’s guitar technician and personal assistant. Perry officially became a full-time member of the band in 1990 after Roger O’Donnell’s departure, learning to play the keyboard with assistance from Smith’s sister Janet.

Over the years, Perry performed in over 400 shows with The Cure, leaving the band in 2005 when Smith reconfigured it as a trio. He then went on to join Love Amongst Ruin before reuniting with The Cure for their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2019. Perry rejoined the band in 2022, participating in their Shows of a Lost World tour, with a documentary of the tour currently in release. His last performance with The Cure was at London’s Troxy in November 2024, and he was scheduled to perform in their upcoming UK and European tour in 2026, featuring outdoor headline shows in various cities.

Perry Bamonte’s musical legacy and contributions to The Cure will always be remembered, with fans mourning his untimely passing. The band and his family lost a treasured member who will be greatly missed, but his impact on the music industry and the hearts of those he touched will endure. The world of music has lost a talented artist, and Perry’s memory will live on through his music and the indelible mark he left on the industry.