London — Perry Bamonte, the Cure’s longtime guitarist and keyboardist, has died following a short illness at home over Christmas, the band announced. He was 65 years old. The influential post-punk group described Bamonte, affectionately known as “Teddy,” as “a vital part of the Cure story.”
A Multi-Instrumentalist’s Enduring Legacy
The musician’s contributions spanned decades, from roadie to full-fledged band member, shaping the sound of iconic albums.
- Born in London in 1960, Bamonte initially joined the Cure’s crew in 1984.
- He became a full-time member in 1990, following the departure of Roger O’Donnell.
- Bamonte performed on landmark albums like Wish, Wild Mood Swings, and Bloodflowers.
- He rejoined the band in 2022 for their Shows of a Lost World tour.
Bamonte’s journey with the Cure began in 1984, initially as a roadie and Robert Smith’s guitar technician. Six years later, he was invited to join as a full-time member after keyboardist Roger O’Donnell left the group. His musical versatility quickly became apparent, contributing keys, guitar, and even six-string bass on the band’s 1992 chart-topping album, Wish—most notably on the infectious hit “Friday I’m in Love.”
What role did Perry Bamonte play in the Cure’s success? Bamonte was a consistently creative force, performing in over 400 shows with the band and appearing on several additional albums, including Wild Mood Swings and Bloodflowers. He left the Cure in 2005 but made a triumphant return in 2022, participating in another 90 shows as part of their Shows of a Lost World tour, with their final performance taking place in London on November 1st, 2024.
In 2019, Bamonte was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside his Cure bandmates. The band’s statement continued, praising Bamonte as “quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm hearted and vital part of the Cure story.”
