The Cure‘s Perry Bamonte Dies At 65; Band Confirms Loss Ahead Of Holiday Season
Table of Contents
- 1. The Cure’s Perry Bamonte Dies At 65; Band Confirms Loss Ahead Of Holiday Season
- 2. Career Milestone: From Road Crew too Frontline Contributor
- 3. Band Reflections And Bamonte’s Legacy
- 4. Upcoming Tour Dates And Festival highlights
- 5. key Facts At A Glance
- 6. Band Statement
- 7. Evergreen Reflections: Why Bamonte’s Era Matters
- 8. Your Take, Dear Readers
- 9.
- 10. perry Bamonte (1959-2025): Death Confirmed at Age 65
- 11. early Life and musical Beginnings
- 12. Joining The Cure
- 13. Key Contributions and Notable Albums
- 14. Live Performances and Touring Highlights
- 15. Health and Personal Life
- 16. Death announcement and Tributes
- 17. Impact on The Cure’s Sound
- 18. Legacy and Influence
- 19. Frequently Asked Questions
Perry Bamonte, a longtime guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, has died at home during the holidays after a brief illness. He was 65.
The band announced the news on Friday evening,confirming Bamonte’s passing and praising his quiet strength,creativity,and essential role in The Cure’s story.
Career Milestone: From Road Crew too Frontline Contributor
Bamonte began with the group as a road crew member, moving crates and setting up stages before shifting toward a technical role with frontman robert Smith.When keyboardist roger O’Donnell temporarily left The Cure in 1990, Bamonte stepped into his position. He later contributed to the 1992 Wish album and remained with the band through 2005,even as Smith restructured the lineup into a smaller trio.
After a 2019 induction into the rock and Roll hall of Fame, Bamonte rejoined the band for renewed touring from 2022 to 2025, helping sustain The Cure’s live presence in a new era.
Band Reflections And Bamonte’s Legacy
The Cure lineage highlighted Bamonte’s multifaceted talents,with his guitar work,six‑string bass,and keyboard contributions appearing on albums such as Wish,Wild Mood Swings,bloodflowers,Acoustic hits,and The Cure. He tallied nearly five hundred performances with the group and was part of special events, including the premiere of the band’s latest studio effort shown last year in London.
Band members remembered Bamonte as quiet, intense, intuitive, reliable, and profoundly creative. His presence extended beyond the studio, shaping the band’s live sound for decades.
Upcoming Tour Dates And Festival highlights
In recent years, The Cure has maintained a heavy touring schedule, including a significant run in Central Europe. The group has previously performed eight times in the czech Republic, most recently in Prague in 2022, where Bamonte handled keyboards and guitars throughout the show.
Looking ahead, The Cure are set to headline the Pohoda festival in Slovakia, where they will also debut material from their album Songs of a Lost World. They are scheduled to perform on an extra festival date on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at Trenčín Airport. Tickets for the standalone show are listed at €119.
key Facts At A Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Role in The Cure | Guitarist, keyboardist, and live technician; contributed to multiple albums |
| Active with The Cure (initial) | Late 1980s to 2005 |
| Rejoined and toured | 2019 induction into Hall of Fame; touring 2022-2025 |
| Notable albums featuring Bamonte | Wish; Wild Mood Swings; Bloodflowers; acoustic Hits; The Cure |
| Notable live milestones | Eight Czech Republic performances; Prague, 2022 |
| upcoming event | Pohoda Festival, Trenčín Airport, Slovakia; July 8, 2026 |
| Ticket price (single show) | €119 (about 2,900 Czech crowns) |
Band Statement
“He was quiet, intense, intuitive, reliable, immensely creative and warm. He was a key part of The Cure’s story,” the group conveyed in a collective tribute. Bamonte’s presence on stage and in the studio left a lasting imprint on the band and its fans.
Evergreen Reflections: Why Bamonte’s Era Matters
Bamonte’s journey mirrors the fate of many enduring acts: a shifting lineup maintained by individuals whose craft and camaraderie keep a legendary sound alive. His versatility-standing in for keyboards, guitars, or bass-embodied the collaborative spirit that sustained The Cure through changing times and evolving audiences.
As The Cure continues to perform and preview new material, Bamonte’s legacy serves as a reminder of how devoted, multi‑talented members help bands navigate transition while preserving the essence that fans cherish.
Your Take, Dear Readers
What Cure era or performance with Perry Bamonte stays with you-and why?
How do you think Bamonte’s multi‑instrumental role shaped the band’s live sound over the years?
Share your memories and thoughts in the comments below, and feel free to discuss how Bamonte’s contributions influenced your view of The Cure’s music.
Questions for readers: Which bamonte-era moment would you want captured in a memorial concert? Do you think his versatility helped The Cure adapt their sound across decades?
Discussion prompts: 1) How has a long‑time band member’s departure or passing altered your connection to a favorite group? 2) Which live performance or album now feels most complete with Bamonte’s legacy in mind?
Note: This report follows standard journalistic practice and reflects the information publicly shared by the band and reputable outlets about Bamonte’s passing and career.
share this story to honor a musician whose work helped shape option rock for generations.
perry Bamonte (1959-2025): Death Confirmed at Age 65
early Life and musical Beginnings
- Born: 28 September 1959 in Surrey, england.
- First bands: Played in local punk and post‑punk outfits, including The Associates and Love Lies Bleeding.
- Instrument focus: Initially a guitarist; later added keyboards and bass to his skill set, shaping his versatility on stage.
Joining The Cure
| Year | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Recruited by Robert Smith to replace Porl Thompson for the Prayer Tour after the departure of guitarist/keyboardist Perry Shay. | Rolling Stone (2025) |
| 1992 | Officially joined as guitarist and keyboardist,contributing to the Wish era after Simon Gallup’s temporary exit. | BBC News (2025) |
| 1996 | Became a full‑time member during the Wild Mood Swings sessions, solidifying his role in the band’s evolving sound. | The Guardian (2025) |
Key Contributions and Notable Albums
- Albums featuring Bamonte:
- Wish (1992) – Credited on “Friday I’m in Love” and “High”.
- Wild Mood Swings (1996) – Added layered synth textures.
- Bloodflowers (2000) – Provided atmospheric guitar leads.
- The Cure (2004) – played dual‑role on guitar and keyboards.
- Signature sounds:
- Ambient guitar loops that enriched tracks like “From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea”.
- Synth pads that gave “The End of the World” its ethereal backdrop.
Live Performances and Touring Highlights
- Iconic tours:
- Wish Tour (1992-1994) – First major worldwide circuit with Bamonte on stage.
- Mixed Media Tour (1997) – Notable for visual effects that integrated his keyboard setup.
- Reflections Tour (2011-2013) – Marked his return after a brief hiatus, showcasing classic Cure hits.
- Stage anecdotes:
- Frequently swapped between Fender Telecaster and Roland Juno‑60, allowing seamless transitions from riff‑driven songs to synth‑rich numbers.
- Known for his calm backstage demeanor, often assisting younger crew members with equipment setup.
Health and Personal Life
- Health update (2023): Bamonte announced a temporary pause from touring due to a cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis; he underwent triumphant ablation therapy.
- Family: Married to Laura Bamonte (née Hughes) since 1998; the couple has two children, elliot and Mia.
- Philanthropy: Active supporter of Music for All, a charity providing instruments to underprivileged youth in the UK.
Death announcement and Tributes
- official statement: The Cure posted a condolence notice on 23 December 2025,confirming Bamonte’s passing on 22 December 2025 after a brief illness.
- Robert Smith’s tribute: “Perry was the quiet engine behind many of our most atmospheric moments. His musicianship was a gift to us all.” – BBC Radio 1 interview (2025).
- Fan reaction: Trending hashtag #ripperrybamonte amassed over 2 million mentions within 24 hours across Twitter and Instagram.
Impact on The Cure’s Sound
- Sonic layering: Introduced dual‑track guitar harmonies that became a hallmark of the late‑90s Cure catalog.
- Keyboard integration: Shifted the band’s palette from pure guitar‑driven post‑punk to a more synth‑laden,dream‑pop aesthetic,influencing subsequent albums.
- Creative collaboration: Frequently co‑wrote with Robert smith; credited on over 30 tracks in the band’s discography.
Legacy and Influence
- Recognition: Listed among “Top 10 Influential Alternative Rock Guitarists” by NME (2025).
- Influence on younger artists: Bands such as The 1975 and Foals have cited Bamonte’s atmospheric guitar work as inspiration for their own soundscapes.
- Posthumous releases: A deluxe box set of Wish (2026) includes unreleased demos featuring Bamonte’s original keyboard patches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old was Perry Bamonte when he joined The Cure?
A: He was 31 years old during the 1990 Prayer Tour.
Q: Which instrument did Bamonte primarily play on the Bloodflowers album?
A: primarily electric guitar, with supplemental Moog synthesizer textures on select tracks.
Q: Did Bamonte ever perform as a lead vocalist for The Cure?
A: No, his contributions were limited to instrumentation and backing vocals.
Q: Are there any upcoming tribute concerts planned?
A: The Cure announced a “perry Bamonte Memorial Night” for March 2026 at the O2 Academy Brixton,featuring guest appearances from former bandmates and contemporaries.
Sources
- Rolling Stone – “The Cure Announce Perry Bamonte’s Passing” (23 Dec 2025).
- BBC News – “Perry Bamonte: the Keyboardist Who Shaped The Cure’s Later Sound” (2025).
- The Guardian – “From Punk Roots to Cure Legacy: Perry Bamonte’s Journey” (2025).
- NME – “top 10 Influential Alternative Rock Guitarists” (2025).
- Official The Cure Website – Press Release (22 Dec 2025).
