The Cure's Perry Bamonte, Longtime Guitarist and Keyboardist, Dies at 65

Perry Bamonte, a key member of the iconic band The Cure for over three decades, has died. He was 65. Bamonte passed away at home on Christmas Day following a short illness, his family confirmed. He first joined The Cure in 1983 as a backstage technician. His role quickly expanded, and he became a full-time guitarist and keyboardist. Bamonte contributed to some of the band's most successful albums, including "Wish" and "Wild Mood Swings." He remained an official member until 2005. The Cure is widely recognized as a seminal, or highly influential, post-punk group. Founded in 1976, they are known for hits like "Friday I'm in Love" and "Boys Don't Cry." The band has not yet made a public statement. Bamonte's musical legacy is cemented in The Cure's extensive catalog and their lasting impact on alternative music.