Perry Bamonte, Longtime Guitarist and Keyboardist for The Cure, Dies at 65

The music world was struck with sadness over the holiday weekend with the announcement that Perry Archangelo Bamonte, longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the iconic British band The Cure, has died at the age of 65 after a short illness at home during the Christmas period. The band confirmed the news on December 26 through a statement on their official website, describing Bamonte as a warm-hearted, creative and essential presence in their storied career.

Born in London in September 1960, Bamonte’s journey with The Cure began long before he became one of its core musicians. In 1984, he joined the band’s road crew thanks to his brother, who was the band’s tour manager. Over the next several years, Bamonte became a trusted member of the extended team, eventually stepping into the spotlight himself as a full-time band member in 1990 following the departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell.

For the next 14 years, Bamonte helped define a defining era of The Cure’s sound. His work as guitarist, keyboardist and six-string bassist is woven into some of the band’s most beloved albums, including Wish (1992), Wild Mood Swings (1996) and Bloodflowers (2000). During that time, he played more than 400 shows and became famous not only for his musical versatility but also for his subtle but profoundly intuitive contribution to the band's art.

The Cure — formed in 1976 by frontman Robert Smith and drummer Lol Tolhurst — had already become influential within the post-punk and goth rock scenes by the time Bamonte joined. But his arrival helped cement the band’s evolution throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, blending atmospheric guitar work, layered keyboards and emotive textures that became signatures of their later sound.

Though Bamonte parted ways with The Cure in 2005 amid lineup changes, his connection with the band was rekindled years later. In 2022, he rejoined the group for what would become one of their most celebrated touring periods, including the Shows of a Lost World concerts, which drew acclaim from fans and critics alike. Over another 90 shows, Bamonte reaffirmed his musical bond with the band and its global fanbase, including a notable performance in London on November 1, 2024, that was featured in a concert film.

Bamonte’s influence on The Cure extended beyond performance. In 2019, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of the band, a recognition of his significant contributions to the band’s legacy and impact on alternative rock.

Outside of The Cure, Bamonte also pursued other musical interests. He played bass in the British rock supergroup Love Amongst Ruin and contributed to their studio recordings, including the 2015 album Lose Your Way. He also had passions beyond music, including fly fishing and illustration, contributing work to Fly Culture magazine and building a rich creative life outside the touring spotlight.

The band’s statement following his death painted a portrait of a musician who was both humble and essential — “quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative” — and it noted that Bamonte’s presence would be profoundly missed by his bandmates, collaborators and fans around the world.

Tributes from peers and fans poured in across social platforms and in music communities. Lol Tolhurst, Bamonte's former bandmate, expressed profound grief, offered condolences, and thought about Bamonte's influence on music and those who knew him personally. Fans recalled his role in helping shape some of The Cure’s most enduring songs, from the jangly optimism of Friday I’m in Love to more brooding, atmospheric deep cuts that defined the band’s aesthetic.

Music commentators and cultural observers pointed out that Bamonte’s death comes at a moment when The Cure’s legacy is being reassessed by a new generation of listeners. The band — one of the central pillars of goth and alternative rock since the late 1970s — has continued to resonate across decades, and Bamonte’s work played a key part in that enduring relevance.

His passing over Christmas added an emotional weight to the news, as many fans reflected on his long career and the joy his music brought to listeners year after year. The Cure had been scheduled for a series of European festival appearances and headline shows in 2026, and Bamonte’s absence will be felt not only in the band’s sound but in the collective memory of its community of supporters.

The conversation returns to Perry Bamonte's understated strength as an artistic presence when he is remembered. He was someone whose quiet creativity helped anchor a band that articulated the complexities of mood, emotion, and sound for millions of people. Though he is gone, his contributions to modern rock and the timeless music of The Cure remain a lasting testament to his talent and spirit.