Perry Archangelo Bamonte, The Cure’s longtime guitarist and keyboardist, has died following a short, undisclosed illness at the age of 65.

The band confirmed Bamonte’s death on their website Friday, writing: “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. ‘Looking after the band’ from 1984 through 1989, he became a full time member of the Cure in 1990, playing guitar, six string bass and keyboard on the Wish, Wild Mood Swings, Bloodflowers, Acoustic Hits and The Cure albums, as well as performing more than 400 shows over 14 years. He rejoined the Cure in 2022, playing another 90 shows, some of the best in the band’s history, culminating with the show of a Lost World concert in London 1st November 2024. Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed.”

Bamonte worked with the band in various roles from 1984 to 1989, including as roadie and guitar tech, a well as serving as a personal assistant and technician for frontman Robert Smith. He officially joined the band in 199 (when keyboardist Roger O’Donnell quit) and became a full-time member of the group, playing guitar, six-string bass and keyboard — until he was let go in 2005 by Smith, who was reconfiguring the Cure as a trio.

In 2019,  he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the band; and in 2022, he joined the Cure on their ‘Shows of a Lost World’ tour.  He was also expected to perform with the band in 2026.

Bamonte is survived by his wife, Donna.

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