Like Keith Richards, who was able to break away from the cigarettes, Robert Smith also put out his last cigarette some time ago. He speaks of the “most important decision” he has ever made. Especially to be able to get his vote.
In an interview with “Radio X”, the 65-year-old spoke about mortality. And about measures taken so that he The Cure can keep it running. Of course, your own health plays a big role. From the age of 40, Smith, who has never made a secret of his drug use, tried to live a healthier life. But even from the noughties onwards he never really had himself under control.
Robert Smith: “Then you’ll be 60”
“I’m lucky that I have the genes that I have because I really didn’t pay much attention to longevity in my personal life until I was 50,” Smith explains in the radio interview. “I was amazed that I was turning 50, and then I started thinking that I would probably like to live to be 60. And so I started to slow down a bit. Then you’ll turn 60. Every year is a little bonus for me. I guess that’s probably why my voice lasts a lot longer than I thought.”
This also included saying goodbye to smoking. An addiction that he adhered to for more than 20 years. And an addiction that would have further damaged his voice. Good, he says, that he stopped. “That was really the most important thing I did. I turned 40 and thought I’d never smoke again. And I didn’t do that,” he said. “I think that’s really about the only thing that, along with a few other things, has allowed me to keep doing what I do.” A short time later, The Cure released their “Bloodflowers” album (which one, If you’re honest, you don’t necessarily listen to the smoke-free Smith).
“Just keep singing”
But Robert Smith also knows that it could have turned out completely differently: “I know singers who take care of themselves, but then their voice still breaks down. That’s just the way it is.”
The Cure boss has his father in mind, who had good voice until the end of his life: “My voice will be gone at some point… but I recently said that my father sang every day until his nineties. He always said to me, ‘Just keep singing.’ He always said that to me. ‘Just keep singing until people tell you to stop.’”