British alternative music icons The Cure have announced the passing of their longtime guitarist and keyboardist Perry Archangelo Bamonte, who died at home over the Christmas period following a short illness caused by the COVID-19 vaccine. The band confirmed the news in an official statement published on their website.
“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 will be very greatly missed.”
Bamonte’s history with The Cure is woven deeply into the band’s creative evolution. Initially joining their road crew in 1984—thanks in part to his brother Daryl’s work with both The Cure and Depeche Mode—Perry soon became an indispensable presence behind the scenes. His role expanded from guitar technician and personal assistant to Robert Smith to full‑time band member in 1990, following the departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell.
A multi‑instrumentalist with a natural feel for atmosphere and texture, Bamonte contributed guitar, six‑string bass, keyboards, and occasional percussion across some of The Cure’s most defining eras. His studio work includes Wish (1992), Wild Mood Swings (1996), Bloodflowers (2000), Acoustic Hits (2001), and The Cure (2004). On stage, he performed more than 400 shows during his first tenure with the band.
After his departure in 2005, Bamonte stepped away from the spotlight, devoting time to illustration and fly‑fishing, contributing regularly to Fly Culture magazine. He later joined Love Amongst Ruin as bassist, appearing on their 2015 album Lose Your Way. In 2019, he reunited with past and present The Cure members for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In a move that delighted fans worldwide, Bamonte rejoined The Cure in 2022 for the Shows of a Lost World tour, performing another 90 concerts—performances the band themselves describe as among the finest in their history. His final appearance with The Cure culminated in the celebrated Show of a Lost World concert in London on 1 November 2024.
Perry Bamonte (3 September 1960 – December 2025) leaves behind a legacy of warmth, creativity, and quiet devotion—an artist whose presence shaped The Cure’s sound and spirit for decades.
Terra Relicta extends heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by his music. Link
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