Perry Bamonte dead: The Cure star dies over Christmas after suffering 'short illness'

The Cure have issued a statement announcing that guitarist Perry Bamonte has tragically died over the Christmas period having suffered from a 'short illness'

The Cure have announced their bandmate has died aged 65. Perry Bamonte had suffered from a "short illness", the band revealed as they paid their respects to the star.

Taking to their official website, the band confirmed the sad news. They wrote their “great friend and bandmate” had died after a short illness at home over Christmas. The statement went on: "Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, ‘teddy’ was a warm-hearted and vital part of the cure story.

"He became a full-time member of the Cure in 1990, Playing guitar, six-string bass and keyboard. On the Wish, Wild Mood Swings, Bloodflowers, Acoustic Hits and the Cure albums. As well as performing more than 400 shows over 14 years.

"He rejoined the crew 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 1st November 2024. Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed.

Perry became part of the band's road crew in 1984. Then, he was under his brother’s supervision as tour manager. Later, he became the guitar technician and personal assistant for frontman Robert Smith.

In 1990, following the exit of Roger O'Donnell, Perry became a full-time member of the band. Despite being dismissed from the band in 2005, he later reconnected and joined them for their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2019.

In 2022, he officially rejoined the group. He was part of their Shows of a Lost World tour. A documentary of the tour is currently in theatrical release.

He most recently played during their 2024 show at London's Troxy. Last year, the group announced their first new album in 16 years. The Boys Don't Cry rockers - whose last album was 2008's 4:13 Dream - released their new work in November 2024.

At the time, frontman Robert Smith said in a statement: "It's the track that unlocked the record; as soon as we had that piece of music recorded, I knew it was the opening song, and I felt the whole album come into focus."

He admitted he had been finding it difficult to settle on "the right opening line" for the first song of the album, and in the end, it was Dregs by poet Ernest Dowson which helped everything fall into place.

Perry was due to be a part of the upcoming UK tour dates next year for the band. They will include outdoor headline shows in Manchester, Cardiff, Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh and Berlin, and festival slots at Isle Of Wight Festival, Primavera Sound Barcelona, Rock Werchter, Open’er, Øya and Rock En Seine.

Following the sad news of his death, fans took to social media to pay their respects. Singer Stuart Braithwaite said: "So sad to hear about Perry Bamonte leaving us. He was a lovely, kind soul who always made everyone feel welcome. Pictured here after The Cure show in Glasgow a few years back with Andy from The Twilight Sad. Rest easy Perry X"

Another fan said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Perry Bamonte of The Cure has died. A sweet and tender soul. I’ve seen The Cure live around a dozen times and he was there for most of them."

They then shared an image and continued: "This picture was taken in Dallas, 2004. After the show, Raechel and I spoke to him backstage. Back at the hotel I proposed to Raechel."

Another wrote: "R.I.P. Perry Bamonte, your music with The Cure changed my life." While the sentiment was echoed by another, who penned: "Rest in peace, Perry Bamonte. His work helped shape a defining era of The Cure."

The band is currently made up of Robert Smith, 65, Simon Gallup, 64, Roger O’Donnell, 69, Jason Cooper, 57, and Reeves Gabrels, 68.

Join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News, TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.