The lead singer of US band Smash Mouth, Steve Harwell dies at 56. Harwell died on Monday at his home in Boise, Idaho. He was a member of the California-based band known for ska-influenced hits like "Walkin' on the Sun" and "All Star." The singer was in hospice care because he had a lot of health problems. Robert Hayes, Harwell's manager, revealed the newsto Varietyin a statement that said: “„Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. And the fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable. His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size cajones. Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out.- Robert Hayes
Steve Harwell wearing a black shirt while holding a mic Steve Harwell, who started the band Smash Mouth with other people in 1994, has died at the age of 56, according to the band's manager, Robert Hayes. The singer, who was best known for songs like "All Star" and "I'm a Believer," died at his home in Boise, ID, "surrounded by family and friends."
Harwell had been in hospice care because of health problems. Liver failure was the cause of death. Hayes said that Harwell "passed peacefully and comfortably." In a long statement to Rolling Stone, he paid tribute to the artist, who was a mainstay of rock music in the 1990s and had success with many albums and songs, helping him and his band sell more than 10 million albums around the world. “„Steve has been retired from Smash Mouth for two years now, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Good. That said, Steve’s legacy will live on through the music. With Steve, Smash Mouth has sold over 10 Million albums worldwide-wide and topped the charts with two #1 hit singles, five Top 40 singles, three Hot 100 singles, four Billboard 200 albums and a Grammy nomination not to mention the hundreds of film and television placements and of course those musical features in Shrek.- Robert Hayes
Harwell has not been an official part of Smash Mouth since 2021, but he and bassist Paul Delisle are the only two original band members who have stayed the same for most of the group's career.
Steve Harwell is an American musician known primarily for his role as the lead vocalist and one of the founding members of the rock band Smash Mouth. Born on January 9, 1967, in Santa Clara, California, Harwell has had a notable career in the music industry.
Steve Harwell's musical journey began when he co-founded Smash Mouth in 1994. The band originated in San Jose, California, and quickly gained recognition for their unique blend of rock, pop, and ska elements. Harwell's distinctive raspy voice became one of the defining characteristics of the band's sound, setting them apart from other acts of the time.
In 1997, Smash Mouth released their debut album, "Fush Yu Mang." This album featured the breakout hit single "Walkin' on the Sun," which received substantial radio play and helped propel the band to the forefront of the music scene. The song's catchy melody and memorable music video made it a cultural phenomenon and a staple of late 1990s pop culture.
However, it was with their second album, "Astro Lounge" (1999), that Steve Harwell and Smash Mouth achieved mainstream stardom. The album featured the mega-hit "All Star," which became an anthem of the era. It was prominently featured in the animated film "Shrek" and gained widespread popularity. "Astro Lounge" cemented Smash Mouth's status as a leading pop-rock band of the late 1990s.
Steve Harwell and Smash Mouth continued to release music and tour throughout the 2000s and 2010s. While they didn't reach the same level of mainstream success as they did in the late 1990s, the band maintained a dedicated fan base and continued to perform live shows.
But something that happened on October 9, 2021, made him stop making songs. Harwell was filmed at the Big Sip event in Bethel, New York, slurring his words, making threats to the crowd, and giving the middle finger to fans. A representative for the singer told the New York Post at the time that his brain condition, Wernicke encephalopathy, made it hard for Harwell to move and remember things.
Steve Harwell, who was 56 years old and used to be the lead singer of the rock band Smash Mouth, died on Monday. Robert Hayes, who had been Harwell and the band's manager for a long time, said in a statement that the singer had died. Harwell quit the band in 2021 because of health problems with his body and mind.
The artist, who had problems with alcohol, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in 2013 and then with a neurological disease that made it hard for him to remember things and talk. But he decided to leave Smash Mouth for good after he was filmed at a show in upstate New York slurring his words and yelling at the crowd while looking drunk.