Perry Bamonte, longtime guitarist for The Cure, has died aged 65, the band confirmed on Boxing Day.

In a message shared on their official website, The Cure said Bamonte passed away at home over Christmas after a short illness. They remembered him as a calm but powerful presence — creative, thoughtful, and deeply loved by those who worked with him.

Bamonte’s history with the band stretches back to the 1980s. He became a full-time member in 1990, taking on multiple roles across the years, including guitar, six-string bass, and keyboards.

He played on several major releases, including Wish, Wild Mood Swings, Bloodflowers, Acoustic Hits, and The Cure. The band also said he performed more than 400 shows during a 14-year run, helping define a key era of their live sound.

In 2022, Bamonte returned to the lineup and joined the group for around 90 concerts. The Cure described those performances as some of their best, culminating in a London show on 1 November 2024.

Fans quickly paid tribute online, thanking him for his musicianship and the music he helped create.

Bamonte had been expected to appear on The Cure’s planned 2026 UK and European tour. The band offered condolences to his family and said he will be “very greatly missed.”