The Cure: Guitarist and keyboard player Perry Bamonte dies aged 65

The Cure: Guitarist and keyboard player Perry Bamonte dies aged 65

Perry Bamonte, well-known for his work with The Cure as both guitarist and keyboardist, has passed away at the age of 65, according to a statement from the band. The announcement described his death as occurring “after a short illness at home over Christmas,” and expressed their deep sorrow over the loss. The band remembered him as “quiet, intensive, intuitive, constant and hugely creative,” highlighting his warm and essential role in their history.

Bamonte’s association with The Cure began long before he became a full member; he first worked with them as part of their road crew starting in 1984. His transition to the band came in 1990, following the departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell. Over the next fourteen years, Bamonte contributed significantly, playing guitar, keyboard, and bass across five studio albums. His performances can be heard on well-known tracks such as “Friday I’m In Love,” “High,” and “A Letter To Elise,” and he appeared on notable live albums including *Paris* and *Show*, both released in 1993. During his time with The Cure, he took part in over 400 live shows.

Beyond his tenure with The Cure, Bamonte was also involved in the supergroup Love Amongst Ruin, where he played bass. In 2022, he made a return to The Cure’s lineup and remained with the band until 2024. His former bandmate, drummer Lol Tolhurst, paid tribute to him on social media, simply stating: “So sad to hear about Perry Bamonte passing… Farewell Teddy.”

The Cure, originally formed in Crawley in 1976 by Robert Smith, Lol Tolhurst, and Michael Dempsey, has gone through numerous lineup changes over the years and is widely recognized for its considerable influence on goth, post-punk, and indie music scenes. Perry Bamonte was present in 2019 when The Cure was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Outside of music, he was passionate about fly fishing and built a career as an illustrator, contributing to the publication *Fly Culture*

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