Perry Archangelo Bamonte, longtime guitarist and keyboard player for influential British rock band The Cure, has died at the age of 65 after a brief illness at home over the Christmas period, the band confirmed in an official statement on their website.
Bamonte — affectionately known as “Teddy” by fans and bandmates — was remembered as “quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative,” and described by the band as a “warm-hearted and vital part of the Cure story.”
Born in London in September 1960, Bamonte first became involved with The Cure in 1984, working behind the scenes as a roadie, guitar technician, and personal assistant to frontman Robert Smith.
Following the departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell in 1990, Bamonte was invited to join the band full-time. Over the next 14 years, he played guitar, six-string bass and keyboards on several of The Cure’s key albums, including Wish (1992), Wild Mood Swings (1996), Bloodflowers (2000), Acoustic Hits (2001) and The Cure (2004).
During that period, Bamonte performed in more than 400 live shows, contributing to the band’s evolution from post-punk pioneers into stadium-sized icons. He was part of some of the band’s best-known work, including tracks like Friday I’m in Love, High and A Letter to Elise.
Bamonte left The Cure in 2005 when the band was restructured as a trio, but reunited with the group in 2022 for their Shows of a Lost World tour. During this second tenure, he performed another 90 shows, including the celebrated Show of a Lost World concert in London on November 1, 2024.
In 2019, Bamonte was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside his Cure bandmates, cementing his place in the band’s rich history.
Beyond his work with The Cure, Bamonte also played bass in the supergroup Love Amongst Ruin, alongside former Placebo drummer Steve Hewitt and collaborator Donald Ross Skinner. He was known to enjoy fly fishing and had a career as an illustrator, contributing to Fly Culture magazine.
Tributes have poured in from fans and fellow musicians alike following the news of his passing, with many recalling his gentle demeanor, creative contributions, and the profound impact he had on both the band and its global audience.
The Cure’s tribute noted: “Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed.”
Bamonte’s death marks a poignant moment for fans and the music community, honoring a musician whose understated yet powerful work helped shape the sound of one of rock’s most enduring bands.
