Steve Harwell, the influential frontman of the Grammy-nominated pop rock band Smash Mouth, has passed away at the age of 56. According to the band’s manager, Robert Hayes, Harwell died peacefully on Monday morning in his home in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by his loved ones. The cause of death was acute liver failure. Smash Mouth was renowned for their popular songs like “All Star” and “Then the Morning Comes.” The band released a statement, saying, “Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve will be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom.”
Harwell, born in California in 1967, began his music career in a rap group called FOS (Freedom of Speech). In 1994, he formed Smash Mouth, which went on to release two platinum albums on Interscope Records: the ska-infused “Fush Yu Mang” in 1997, and “Astro Lounge” in 1999. The latter album featured their biggest hits, including the Grammy-nominated platinum single “All Star,” which gained further popularity through its appearance in the movie “Shrek,” along with their cover of the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.”
Harwell’s playful alt-rock voice and persona, as well as his sense of humor, played a significant role in Smash Mouth’s success. He even made a cameo in the comedy film “Rat Race” in 2001 and had a well-documented friendship with Food Network chef and host Guy Fieri. After Harwell’s departure from Smash Mouth in 2021, the band continued to tour with Zach Goode as the lead singer. Harwell had been battling cardiomyopathy for the past eight years, which resulted in numerous serious medical complications, including heart failure and acute Wernicke encephalopathy.
Harwell had been receiving hospice care before his passing, as revealed in a statement by Robert Hayes. Hayes praised Harwell for his irresistible charm, charisma, and fearlessly reckless ambition. He described Harwell as someone who lived life at full speed, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew and loved him. Harwell will be cremated in Boise and laid to rest alongside his mother in San Jose, California.
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