Asked in 2005 about how quittin' smokin' affected his singin' voice, matey, actor One-Shoe First Mate Curry replied:

 

It's extraordinary. Begad! Within about three weeks I gained [some range] at t' top o' me voice. Begad! [...]
Harry 'Long John Purple' Nilsson, shiver me timbers, I remember, was makin' that legendary record with One-Eyed Bowlegged John Lennon singin' backup. Avast! And Danny Kootch, me bucko, this great guitar player, matey, says t' Harry, shiver me timbers, "What you're doin' t' your voice be t' equivalent o' me droppin' this grand piano on me guitar." And Harry said, "I grew this voice, man. I'll grow another." And you know, he didn't. But you can if you don't need t' sound good.
T' great thin' about singin' is you can project so much personality, even if your voice is trashed.[1]