Perry Archangelo Bamonte, the renowned guitarist and keyboardist known for his long tenure with the iconic goth band The Cure, has passed away at the age of 65. Bamonte’s contribution to the band spanned several decades, leaving an indelible mark on its sound and legacy.

The announcement of his passing was made on The Cure’s official website last Friday, leaving fans and fellow musicians mourning the loss of a cherished talent.

“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,” the band shared in a heartfelt statement. They described him as “quiet, intense, intuitive, constant, and hugely creative,” noting his integral role in The Cure’s history. “Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed,” the statement concluded, highlighting the deep emotional connection Bamonte had with his bandmates.

Bamonte’s journey with The Cure began in 1984, where he initially contributed behind the scenes as a roadie and guitar technician. His commitment and talent soon earned him a spot as a full-time member in 1990, following the departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell. In his official role, Bamonte showcased his versatility by playing guitar, six-string bass, and keyboard, becoming an essential component of the band’s distinctive sound.

Bamonte worked with the band in various roles from 1984 to 1989, including as roadie and guitar tech. He officially joined the band in 1990, when keyboardist Roger O’Donnell quit. It was then that he became a full-time member of the group, playing guitar, six-string bass and keyboard.

Having joined just after the band’s mainstream breakthrough, 1989’s “Disintegration,” Bamonte is featured on a number of The Cure’s albums, including 1992’s “Wish” — which features the career-defining hits Friday I’m in Love and “High” — as well as the 1996’s “Wild Mood Swings,” 2000’s “Bloodflowers” and 2004’s self-titled release.

Bamonte was fired from The Cure by its singer and leader, Robert Smith, in 2005. At that point in time, he had performed at over 400 shows across 14 years. Bamonte rejoined the group in recent years, touring with the band in 2022 for another 90 gigs.

In 2019, Bamonte was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside the rest of The Cure.

His last performance with the band was on Nov. 1, 2024, in London for a special one-off event to launch their latest album and first in 16 years, “Songs of a Lost World.” The concert was filmed for “The Cure: The Show of a Lost World,” a film released in cinemas globally this month. It is also available to purchase on Blu-ray and DVD.

The Associated Press described “Songs of a Lost World” as “lush and deeply orchestral, swelling and powerful” — one of the best of the band’s career.