Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for the Cure, has died. According to a statement the band shared on their website, Bamonte passed away from a short illness over Christmas at his home. He was 65.
Perry Archangelo Bamonte was born in London, England on September 3, 1960. As a result of his younger brother Daryl being the band’s tour manager, he became part of Cure’s road crew in 1984. Later, Bamonte became the guitar technician and personal assistant for Robert Smith.
In 1990, after keyboardist Roger O’Donnell left the band, Bamonte became a full-time member of the Cure. He played guitar, six-string bass, and keyboard. In 1993 he switched to lead guitar after the departure of Porl Thompson. He played on 1992’s Wish, 1993’s Paris and Show, 1996’s Wild Mood Swings, 1997’s Galore, 2000’s Bloodflowers, 2001’s Greatest Hits, and 2004’s The Cure. Smith dismissed Bamonte from the band in 2005.
In 2012, Bamonte joined supergroup Love Amongst Ruin with ex-Placebo drummer Steve Hewitt and Donald Ross Skinner. Bamonte was featured on 2015’s Lose Your Way. Ten years later, Bamonte reunited with the Cure.
He was not on 2024’s Songs Of A Lost World since the band had finished recording before he rejoined. But he did tour with the Cure for Shows Of A Lost World tour, with their most recent show at London’s Troxy in November 2024.
Watch some of Bamonte’s performances below.
