Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, has died aged 65.
The band announced his death in a statement shared via their official website, revealing that he "passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas." The exact date of Bamote's passing is unclear at this time.
"It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte," the band wrote. "Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, 'Teddy' was a warm hearted and vital part of the cure story."
Born Perry Archangelo Bamonte in London on September 3, 1960, the musician started out as a member of The Cure’s road crew in 1984, after his brother Daryl was hired as the band's tour manager. He then went on to become frontman Robert Smith’s guitar technician and personal assistant.
Bamote became a full-time member of The Cure in 1990 when keyboardist Roger O’Donnell left the band. He played guitar and keyboards – having been taught the latter by Smith’s sister Janet – as well as six-string bass and percussion on occasion.
As outlined in the band's statement, Bamonte played on the albums The Wish, Wild Mood Swings, Bloodflowers, Acoustic Hits and The Cure. He also performed "more than 400 shows over 14 years."
"He rejoined The Cure in 2022," the statement continued, "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."
The band concluded their tribute: "Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed."