Perry Bamonte, a member of The Cure, has passed away
Perry Bamonte of The Cure Dies at 65
Perry Archangelo Bamonte, known as "Teddy," died at home following a short illness over Christmas 2025. He was 65. Survived by his wife Donna, Bamonte shaped The Cure's sound across two distinct tenures with the iconic goth-rock band.
From Roadie to Rock Hall
Bamonte joined The Cure's road crew in 1984 before becoming a full member in 1990, contributing guitar, keyboards, and six-string bass to landmark albums including Wish (1992) and Bloodflowers (2000). He performed over 400 shows during his initial 15-year run, departing in 2005.
After rejoining in 2022 following a 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reunion performance, Bamonte played 90 additional shows. His final appearance came November 1, 2024, at London's The Show of a Lost World concert, supporting the band's first album in 16 years.
Who Perry Bamonte Was and His Role in The Cure
From Roadie to Essential Member
Perry Archangelo Bamonte, nicknamed "Teddy," began with The Cure in 1984 as road crew and manager before joining full-time in 1990 as a multi-instrumentalist covering guitar, six-string bass, and keyboards. Over 14 years, he performed more than 400 shows and contributed to pivotal albums including Wish (1992)—featuring "Friday I'm in Love"—Wild Mood Swings, Bloodflowers, and The Cure (2004).
After departing in 2005, Bamonte reunited for the band's 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, then rejoined full-time in 2022 for roughly 90 additional performances. His final show was November 1, 2024, at London's The Show of a Lost World concert, supporting the band's first album in 16 years. He died at 65 after a brief illness over Christmas 2025, survived by wife Donna.
Why His Contributions Matter to the Band's Legacy
Shaping The Cure's Commercial Peak
Perry Bamonte's tenure defined The Cure's 1990s creative identity. His guitar and keyboard work anchored five studio albums, including the platinum Wish (1992) and the experimental Wild Mood Swings (1996), helping the band navigate from goth-rock pioneers to mainstream radio presence without sacrificing their signature melancholy.
Beyond musicianship, Bamonte's 500-plus performances across two stints—1990-2005 and 2022-2024—provided continuity through lineup changes. His 2022 return for the Songs of a Lost World campaign bridged the band's classic era to their recent resurgence, culminating in a final show just weeks before his death. That loyalty underscored The Cure's emotional core: a collective sustained by decades-long creative partnerships rather than frontman mythology alone.
What Happens Next for The Cure
Tour and Recording Plans
The Cure has not announced how Bamonte's death will affect their 2025 plans. The band completed a triumphant 2024 campaign built around Songs of a Lost World—their first studio album in 16 years—with Bamonte performing his final show at London's November 1 concert.
Frontman Robert Smith has not issued a public statement beyond the band's official tribute. Given the group's history of lineup changes and Bamonte's previous 2005 departure, touring may continue with temporary personnel, though recording sessions for rumored follow-up material remain unconfirmed.
The loss leaves The Cure's current roster at four core members, with Smith as the sole constant since 1976.
