Perry Bamonte, known as 'Teddy' to bandmates and a vital creative force in the Cure across two stints spanning decades, has died at age 65 after a short illness over Christmas. The band announced his passing on December 26 via a heartfelt statement.
The Cure shared the news of Perry Bamonte's death on December 26, stating: “It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte, who passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas. Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm-hearted and vital part of The Cure story.” The statement continued: “He rejoined The Cure in 2022, playing another 90 shows, some of the best in the band’s history, culminating with The Show of a Lost World concert in London on November 1, 2024. Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed.”
Born Perry Archangelo Bamonte on September 3, 1960, in London and raised in Basildon, he attended school with Martin Gore, future cofounder of Depeche Mode. Despite early discouragement, Bamonte started playing guitar at 17. His brother Daryl, a roadie for Depeche Mode, helped him join the Cure's crew in 1984 as a roadie and guitar technician for frontman Robert Smith.
Bamonte entered the lineup in 1990 after keyboardist Roger O'Donnell left, learning keyboards from Smith's sister Janet. He contributed guitar, keyboards, and six-string bass to albums including Wish (1992, featuring hits "Friday I'm in Love" and "A Letter to Elise"), Wild Mood Swings (1996, with "The 13th" and "Mint Car"), Bloodflowers (2000), Acoustic Hits (2001), and the self-titled The Cure (2004). He also handled art direction and photography for releases, became lead guitarist in 1994 after Pearl Thompson's departure, and performed over 400 shows in total during his tenure, which ended in 2005 amid lineup changes.
In a 1990 band newsletter, Smith welcomed him: "Everyone who plays in the Cure is as 'permanent' as you can be… if Perry (Teddy) writes some stuff and it’s good, we’ll play it!" Reflecting on his debut show in Paris, Bamonte told Spin: "I still haven’t really had time to put into words what it feels like to be onstage with them." Looking back in 2006, he named Wish his favorite: "It came on the back of Disintegration, the band were really at their peak, and it really felt that way."
After leaving, Bamonte paused music to serve as artistic director of Fly Culture fly-fishing magazine before returning with Love Amongst Ruin (featuring ex-Placebo and Lamb members) on their 2015 album Lose Your Way. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Cure in 2019—where Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor delivered the speech—he rejoined for the 2022 Shows of a Lost World tour.