As 2025 comes to a close, the music world has lost yet another notable creative force. Perry Bamonte, the former keyboardist and guitarist of The Cure, has died at 65, per a statement from the band. He reportedly passed away on December 26.
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The Cure's statement appears on their website. It says in part, "IT IS WITH ENORMOUS SADNESS THAT WE CONFIRM THE DEATH OF OUR GREAT FRIEND AND BANDMATE PERRY BAMONTE WHO PASSED AWAY AFTER A SHORT ILLNESS AT HOME OVER CHRISTMAS. QUIET, INTENSE, INTUITIVE, CONSTANT AND HUGELY CREATIVE, 'TEDDY' WAS A WARM HEARTED AND VITAL PART OF THE CURE STORY."
He was prominently associated with The Cure for many years, the statement notes. Bamonte performed with them in over 400 shows. Bamonte's last appearance with his bandmates was in London on November 1, 2024. The Cure presently consists of members Jason Cooper, Simon Gallup, and Robert Smith.
Bamonte Came Aboard With the Cure Full-Time in 1990
Bamonte began as a member of The Cure's road crew. That was in 1984. He eventually took on the role of "the guitar technician and personal assistant for Robert Smith," per People. When Roger O'Donnell exited The Cure, Bamonte graduated to being "a full-time member."
Although he was "dismissed" from their ranks 20 years ago in 2005, Bamonte was nevertheless inducted with The Cure into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame six years ago in 2019. He signed on for another short stint with the band from 2022 to 2025.
What Made the Cure Influential
Pinpointing exactly what made The Cure so unique and artistically impactful is not an easy task. They are a challenge to definitively categorize. However, the information about them on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website offers an excellent encapsulation of the band's dynamism and musical reach.
It reads in part, "Fusing melody and melancholy, intensity and heartbreak, the Cure helped shape several musical genres, from goth to alternative, grunge to modern pop...the Cure provided irresistible, wildly popular, timeless tunes for generations."
Perry Bamonte was a big part of the incredible sound The Cure developed. His loss will surely be felt across numerous genres.
