The Cure's Perry Bamonte Dies at 65

Perry Bamonte, the longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the British rock band The Cure, died at age 65 after a short illness at his home over the Christmas period, the group announced on its official website Friday.

The band described Bamonte, born Perry Archangelo Bamonte on September 3, 1960, in London, as "quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative," adding that he was a "warm-hearted and vital part" of the band's history. "It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate, Perry Bamonte," the statement read. "Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed."

Bamonte first entered The Cure's orbit in 1984 as part of the road crew, connected through his brother Daryl, who served as the band's tour manager. He worked as a guitar technician and personal assistant to frontman Robert Smith before becoming a full-time member in 1990, following the departure of keyboardist Roger O'Donnell. During his initial 15-year tenure, Bamonte contributed guitar, keyboards, six-string bass and occasional percussion to several albums, including 1992's Wish, 1996's Wild Mood Swings, 2000's Bloodflowers, the...