Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, dies at 65: the “Teddy” who marked two key stages of the band

Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboard player for The Cure, dies aged 65: the “Teddy” who marked two key stages of the band

Christmas 2025 brings an unexpected blow for fans of dark rock: Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboard player for The Cure, has died aged 65. The band itself confirmed the news in a statement published on its official website, where it explains that he died at home during the holidays, after a short illness.

In that same text, The Cure portrays Bamonte with a phrase that has begun circulating as a final farewell: “Quiet, intense, intuitive, steady and enormously creative”, and concludes the message with the nickname by which he was known within the group: “‘Teddy’ was a warm and vital part of The Cure's history”.

From touring technician to indispensable member: Bamonte's “journey” within The Cure

There is something cinematic about Bamonte's story within The Cure: he first came in through the back door, as part of the crew. According to British media and the band's own account reported in the Spanish press, he was part of the road crew from 1984, and ended up becoming Robert Smith's personal assistant and guitar technician before stepping onto the stage.

He joined as an official member in 1990, after keyboard player Roger O’Donnell left. From then on, Bamonte became that “hinge” musician who could hold several parts together at once: guitar, keyboards and also the six-string bass, one of the band's sonic signatures live.

The records (and songs) on which his mark was recorded

Bamonte took part in a period especially recognisable to the wider public: in the group's discography he is associated with albums such as Wish (1992), Wild Mood Swings (1996), Bloodflowers (2000), Acoustic Hits (2001) and The Cure (2004).

The BBC also highlights that he played on tracks and classics that form part of the band's popular DNA, such as “Friday I'm in Love”, “High” and “A Letter to Elise”, and recalls his presence on legendary live albums such as Show and Paris (both from 1993).

And there is one fact that puts his real importance in the group beyond the studio into perspective: in his first major period with The Cure, Bamonte performed more than 400 concerts over 14 years, according to the band's own information cited by the Spanish press from the group's statement.

The departure in 2005… and the return that moved fans

In 2005, Bamonte left the band when Robert Smith reconfigured The Cure as a trio, although those around them always insisted that the personal relationship was not broken. After that interval, Bamonte focused on other pursuits (illustration and his fondness for fly-fishing, according to profiles published in Spain) and worked on projects such as Love Amongst Ruin.

The great “return” came in 2022, when he rejoined for the Shows of a Lost World tour. Spanish media put that recent second period at 90 concerts, which extended until December 2023, and El País adds a symbolic milestone: the cycle culminated in London with the event “The Show of a Lost World” on 1 November 2024.

What happens now with The Cure and the 2026 tour?

There is an important nuance here (and one much sought by fans today): what will happen with The Cure live in 2026. Some publications have stated that Bamonte was due to take part in concerts next year.

However, the group's own official website maintains a biography that already includes a section with the 2026 line-up (with Robert Smith, Simon Gallup and other names), and Bamonte does not appear on that list, which suggests that his continuation in that period was not planned before the announcement of his death.

A farewell that has resonated beyond the fandom

The news has had an immediate echo in international media. Reuters and AP agree on the main outline: he died after a short illness at Christmas, and The Cure said goodbye to him by highlighting his role in two stages and his contribution to the band live.