The Cure’s Robert Smith reveals how quitting smoking was his “most important” decision
The Cure frontman Robert Smith has revealed the secret to preserving his distinctive vocals over the years, which was quitting smoking at 40.
Discussing their new album, Songs of a Lost World, during a new track-by-track interview, the crooning vocalist explained why he has been able to continue delivering the band’s signature long sets with a voice that sounds as powerful and crisp as it did in 1979.
Reflecting on his luck at his age, Smith said he was “fortunate” because he had “not paid great attention to longevity” in his life, admitting that he was “astonished” that he had made it to 50 years old. “Every year is a bit of a bonus for me,” he told Radio X, explaining how his voice has “held up” longer as a result.
Although paying greater attention to his health in the years leading up to his 65th birthday has helped his vocal performance, he also revealed that the decision to quit smoking was one of the most important for his preservation as a singer and frontman.
Discussing his decision to quit smoking at 40, Smith claimed it was one of the reasons he has been able to continue performing, even though there doesn’t seem to be any specific rhyme or reason for vocal decline in ageing.
“(Quitting) was the most important thing I did, really,” he explained. “I turned 40, and I thought, ‘I’m never smoking again.’ And I haven’t. And I think that’s really pretty much along with a few other things, that’s the thing that’s allowed me to continue doing what I do. But having said that, there are people who I know who are singers who do look after themselves, but then their voices go. It’s just one of those things.”
The singer also said that he recognises he won’t be as strong as a vocalist one day and that, naturally, his voice will go. However, he shared one piece of advice from his father that reassures him when he’s feeling uncertain about his future: “My voice will go at some point,” he said, adding, “My dad would sing every day into his 90s. So he would say to me, just like, keep singing. He’d always say that to me. Just keep singing until people tell you to stop.”
With recent details emerging about at least two more potential releases, Smith seems to have a significant chunk of time up his sleeve before The Cure’s coveted sound begins to diminish. With another album “ready to go,” it also looks like new material may be just around the corner.
Additionally, if the response to Songs of a Lost World is anything to go by, it will be a long time before Smith’s voice loses any sense of its current ability.
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