Guitarist and keyboard player Perry Bamonte dies aged 65

Cure guitarist and keyboardist Perry Bamonte has died at the age of 65, the band said.

One Statement on The Cure’s website: The band stated that the British musician died “after a short illness at home on Christmas” and that they announced the news “with great sadness”.

“Quiet, intense, intuitive, persistent and wildly creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm-hearted and vital part of The Cure story,” he wrote.

Bamonte, who had been a member of The Cure’s road crew since 1984, was asked to join the band in 1990 following the departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell.

He continued to play guitar, keyboard and bass on five studio albums, including tracks such as Friday I’m In Love, High and A Letter To Elise.

Bamonte also appeared on The Cure’s live albums Paris and Show, both released in 1993, and performed with the band in more than 400 shows over 14 years.

Bamonte later became the bassist for the supergroup Love Amongst Ruin.

He rejoined The Cure in 2022 and played with them until 2024.

His former Cure bandmate, drummer Lol Tolhurst, posted a tribute on Instagram: “So sorry to hear of the passing of Perry Bamonte… Farewell Teddy.”

Formed in Crawley in 1976 by frontman Robert Smith and Tolhurst, The Cure’s line-up changes regularly and are known for their heavy influence on goth, post-punk and indie music.

Balmonte was there when The Cure were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Balmonte also had a keen interest in fly fishing and pursued a career as an illustrator, contributing to Fly Culture magazine.