In a stunning moment of raw humanity at music's biggest night, legendary rock icons The Cure made history by winning their first-ever Grammy Awards—but the seats reserved for them remained hauntingly empty. The reason behind their absence reveals a poignant story of loyalty and loss that transcends industry accolades.
While the Grammys celebrated with champagne and speeches, The Cure's members—Simon Gallup, Jason Cooper, Roger O'Donnell, Reeves Gabrels, and frontman Robert Smith—were honoring a fallen comrade. They chose to attend the private funeral of former bandmate Perry Bamonte instead of accepting their trophies in person, a decision that speaks volumes about the band's character.
The bittersweet victories came for their critically acclaimed album Songs of a Lost World (Best Alternative Music Album) and the haunting single "Alone" (Best Alternative Music Performance), triumphs that arrived just months after Bamonte's December passing.
Perry Bamonte performing with The Cure in 1997—a musician whose legacy continues to shape the band's story. Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
In a heartfelt Instagram statement the following day, Robert Smith expressed gratitude while acknowledging their absence: "Simon, Jason, Roger, Reeves and I extend our deepest thanks to the Grammys for this incredible honor. We are truly humbled."
Smith continued, "We also want to recognize everyone who helped create Songs of a Lost World, especially co-producer Paul Corkett; the team at Universal Music Group; our dedicated crew; and most importantly, the global Cure family who embraced this music. Without you, none of this would be possible."
Bamonte's connection to The Cure spanned decades—first joining in 1984, becoming a full-time member in 1990, and contributing to some of their most iconic work. Though he left in 2005, his bond with the band remained unbroken. He returned for their acclaimed 2022 Show of a Lost World concerts and stood with them during their 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
This Grammy moment reveals what truly matters to The Cure: not trophies or industry recognition, but the people who helped shape their sound and story. In choosing a funeral over a red carpet, they've shown that some bonds are stronger than any award.
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