Rock Star Perry Bamonte Dead at 65 After ‘Short Illness’
Legendary guitarist and keyboardist Perry Bamonte, best known for his work with the iconic British rock band The Cure, has died at the age of 65 after a brief illness, the band announced on their official website. Bamonte passed away at home over the Christmas holiday, leaving behind a legacy that spanned decades of influential music and performances.
The Cure shared a heartfelt tribute, saying:
“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. 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 Road Crew to Rock Icon
Bamonte’s journey with The Cure began not on stage, but behind the scenes. He initially joined the band’s road crew in 1984 and worked as a guitar technician and personal assistant before being invited to become a full-time member in 1990 following the departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell. Over the next 14 years, he became a defining part of the group’s sound—switching between guitar, keyboard and even the six-string bass—on a string of major albums.
He contributed to key records including Wish (1992), Wild Mood Swings (1996), Bloodflowers (2000), Acoustic Hits (2001), and The Cure (2004), and performed at more than 400 shows during his first tenure with the band.
Later Years and Lasting Legacy
After leaving the band in 2005 when The Cure was reoriented as a trio, Bamonte continued his creative pursuits, including work as a bassist with the supergroup Love Amongst Ruin and as an illustrator. In 2019, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Cure, a testament to his enduring influence.
In a celebrated return to the band in 2022, Bamonte played another 90 shows across The Cure’s Shows of a Lost World tour, with his final performance taking place in London on November 1, 2024.
Remembering a Creative Force
Born in London on September 3, 1960, Bamonte’s path from behind-the-scenes crew member to essential band member reflected his deep dedication to music and creativity. Fans and fellow musicians alike have expressed profound grief at his passing, honoring his warm personality and considerable artistic contributions that helped shape The Cure’s distinctive sound and legacy.
His death marks the end of an era for one of rock’s most beloved figures — a musician whose work and spirit will continue to resonate across generations of fans.
