Rock legend plans to retire in 5 years ‘if I make it that far’

A rock legend has a retirement plan after his band releases its first new album in 16 years.
The Cure frontman Robert Smith told The Times that he plans to retire in five years, when he’s 70 years old. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group will releases its new album, “Songs of the Lost World,” on Nov. 1, and then likely tour until 2028, which would mark the 50th anniversary of their debut release.
“I’m 70 in 2029,” he told the publication. “And that’s it, that really is it. If I make it that far, that’s it.”
“I’ve led a very privileged life,” Smith added. “I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been. I’m still doing what I always wanted but the fact I’m still upright is probably the best thing about being me because there have been points where I didn’t think I would hit 30, 40, 50. My mind doesn’t function with the same acuity it once had, but I’m much more relaxed and easier to get on with.”
Smith, 65, has been the lead singer of The Cure since its formation in 1976. The English goth rock band’s hits include “In Between Days,” “Close to Me,” “Boys Don’t Cry,” “Just Like Heaven,” “Lovesong,” and “Friday I’m In Love.”
“Our songs always had a fear of mortality,” Smith told The Times. “I don’t feel my age at all but I’m aware of it and when you get older that fear becomes more real. Death becomes more everyday. When you are younger you romanticize death, but then it happens to your family and friends. I am a different person to the last record and I wanted to put that across. It can be trite. People could say, ‘Oh, we’re all going to die — surprise me!’ But I try to find some emotional connection to that idea.”
“Songs of the Lost World” will be The Cure’s first new album since 2008′s “4:13 Dream.” No upcoming U.S. tour dates have been announced, but two UK concerts are currently scheduled for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 to celebrate the album’s release.