Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for the Cure, passes away at 65
Perry Bamonte, the longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the Cure, has passed away at the age of 65. The artist, affectionately nicknamed Teddy, succumbed to a brief illness over the Christmas period, as announced by the band on their official website. The group characterized him as “quiet, intensive, intuitive, constant and hugely creative,” referring to him as a “key figure in the Cure’s narrative.” “Supporting the band from 1984 until 1989, he officially became a full member of the Cure in 1990, contributing guitar, six-string bass, and keyboard on the Wish (1992), Wild Mood Swings (1996), Bloodflowers (2000), Acoustic Hits (2001), and the Cure (2004) albums,” the band stated on their site. Established in 1976 by lead vocalist Robert Smith and drummer Lol Tolhurst, the Cure is recognized for their impact on goth, post-punk, and indie music. Bamonte, slated to perform on the Cure’s UK and European tour in 2026, first became part of the band as a member of their road crew in 1984 through his brother, Daryl, who was the band’s tour manager at that time. He transitioned to a full-time member following the exit of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell in 1990. In the subsequent 14 years, he played over 400 concerts, contributing to some of the band’s iconic tracks, including Friday I’m in Love, High, and A Letter to Elise. Born in September 1960 in London, Bamonte departed from the Cure in 2005 when the group was restructured as a trio. In 2019, he was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the Cure. “He rejoined the Cure in 2022, taking part in another 90 performances, several of which were among the highlights in the band’s history, culminating with the Show of a Lost World concert in London on November 1, 2024,” the band mentioned on their website, adding: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family. He will be profoundly missed.” Bamonte was also the bassist in the supergroup Love Amongst Ruin, alongside former Placebo drummer Steve Hewitt and collaborator Donald Ross Skinner from Julian Cope. The band has put out two studio albums, their self-titled debut in 2010 and Lose Your Way, released in 2015. He also had a passion for fly fishing and built a career as an illustrator, contributing to the magazine Fly Culture. In a tribute via Instagram, Bamonte’s former bandmate, drummer Lol Tolhurst, expressed: “So sad to hear about Perry Bamonte’s passing. Cindy (Tolhurst’s wife) and I send our condolences to all who knew him. Farewell Teddy.”
Published: 2025-12-26 21:06:00
source: www.theguardian.com
