Perry Archangelo Bamonte, the versatile longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the influential British goth-rock band The Cure, has died at the age of 65. The band announced his passing on Friday on their official website, stating that Bamonte died at home following a short illness over the Christmas holiday.
In a heartfelt tribute, the group described Bamonte, affectionately known to fans and colleagues as “Teddy”, as a “quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative” presence. They hailed him as a warm-hearted and vital part of The Cure’s storied history, adding that their “thoughts and condolences are with all his family” and that he would be “very greatly missed.”
From technical crew to centre stage
Bamonte’s journey with the group began behind the scenes, where he served as a roadie and guitar technician in 1984. He officially joined the line-up in 1990 following departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell.
As a multi-instrumentalist, he became a core pillar of the band’s sound, frequently switching between guitar, keyboards, and the signature six-string bass during their most commercially successful era in the 1990s.
Legacy and final performances
His studio legacy includes the 1992 global hit album Wish, which featured the career-defining singles “Friday I’m in Love” and “High,” as well as Wild Mood Swings (1996) and their 2004 self-titled release. After performing at over 400 shows, he was let go in 2005 but later rejoined the group in 2022 for their massive world tour.
In 2019, Bamonte was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside his bandmates. His final performance took place on Nov. 1, 2024, in London for the launch of Songs of a Lost World, the band’s first studio album in sixteen years. The event was filmed for the theatrical release, The Cure: The Show of a Lost World, documenting the final chapter of his four-decade career.