Popular British musician Perry Bamonte, known for being the keyboardist and pianist for the rock band The Cure, is dead. According to reports, he died after a battle with a short illness. He was 65. His passing was confirmed and announced by The Cure via a lenghty statement on its official website.Perry Bamonte, whose nickname was Teddy, joined the band in 1984 as part of the road crew but became an official member in 1990. However, Bamonte wasn't always a member of the band. In 2005, Perey and another member of the group, Roger O’Donnell, were abruptly fired by the band’s leader, Robert Smith. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostRoger broke the news on his official website.“As of Tuesday this week I am no longer a member of the Cure,” O’Donnell wrote. “It was sad to find out after nearly 20 years the way I did, but then I should have expected no less or more.”He also revealed to Billboard magazine at the time that he and Perry were fired because Smith wanted to transform The Cure into a three-piece group.“There’s not really much you can say when you are the fifth member,” he told the news outlet.Perry was present during the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. However, he officially rejoined the group in 2022. Bamonte was expected to join The Cure for its United Kingdom and European tour in the upcoming year. His last performance with the group was on November 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.More details on Perry Bamonte’s deathThe Cure confirmed Perry Bamonte’s death via an official statement shared on its website.“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.” View this post on Instagram Instagram PostAfter detailing Perry’s time with the band, including his rejoining, the statement also offered condolences to Bamonte’s surviving family.“OUR THOUGHTS AND CONDOLENCES ARE WITH ALL HIS FAMILY. HE WILL BE VERY GREATLY MISSED.”Former drummer of the band, Lol Tolhurst, paid tribute to the late musician on X:“So sad to hear about the passing of Perry Bamonte from The Cure. Perry joined us all as my keyboard tech initially, then, after working as guitar tech, went on to play in the band. A quiet unassuming man he will be missed by many. Cindy and I send our love to his family.”Also read: What is Aaron Rodgers' net worth? NFL quarterback gifts Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line Can-Am Maverick X3 off-road vehicles for Christmas