Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell, the “All Star” singer of the band popular within the Nineties and 2000s, has died. He was 56.
His death was confirmed in an announcement to Rolling Stone on Monday. Smash Mouth’s manager Robert Hayes said he “passed peacefully and comfortably” at home in Boise, Idaho, “surrounded by family and friends.”
“Steve Harwell was a real American Original,” the statement read. “A bigger-than-life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve must be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to succeed in the heights of pop stardom. And the undeniable fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all of the more remarkable.”
“His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size [cojones]. Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out.”
A reason for death was not given.
The group’s former lead singer was in hospice care and, as TMZ reported, on his “deathbed” on Sunday.
The ex-frontman, who struggled with alcoholism, had suffered liver failure and was told he only had days left to live, his manager said.
“Steve is resting at home being cared for by his fiancée and hospice care,” Hayes told People on the time.
Harwell’s family and friends reportedly visited him at home where he was in hospice, the manager said, after his liver disease progressed too far.
“Regardless that Steve has not been with Smash Mouth for 2 years now, and the band continues to tour with recent vocalist Zach Goode, his legacy will survive through the music,” he added.
Two years ago, Harwell announced his retirement from the band, which formed in San Jose, California, within the Nineties and churned out hits including “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby,” “Walkin’ on the Sun” and a canopy of the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer” — lots of which were featured within the 2001 animated movie “Shrek.”
“Ever since I used to be a child, I dreamed of being a Rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream,” Harwell said in an announcement on the time. “To my bandmates, it’s been an honor performing with you all these years and I can’t consider anyone else I might have slightly gone on this wild journey with.”
“To our loyal and amazing fans, thanks, all of this was possible due to you,” he added. “I’ve tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues, and to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn’t in a position to.”
Harwell’s departure got here after an incident in 2021 wherein the singer was caught on camera on the Big Sip wine and spirits fest in Bethel, NY, slurring his words, threatening the audience and seemingly giving a Nazi salute to the group.
Reps for Smash Mouth told The Post on the time that he would retire, and the incident was related to “long-term medical issues” and Harwell had “suffered quite a few symptoms directly linked along with his current medical situation.”
Harwell reportedly harbored “several kinds of addiction resulting in medical and mental health issues,” his rep said. He was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy eight years prior to the event and has suffered from heart failure. The Cleveland Clinic notes that cardiomyopathy often stems from “long-term heavy alcohol use.”
Harwell began off as a rapper in San Jose with the group F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech) before meeting drummer Kevin Coleman and forming Smash Mouth in 1994 with guitarist Greg Camp and bassist Paul De Lisle. Their 1997 debut album “Fush Yu Mang” included their first No. 1 hit, “Walkin’ on the Sun.”
As Hayes identified in an announcement on Monday, during Harwell’s tenure with Smash Mouth, the band “sold over 10 million albums worldwide and topped the charts with two #1 hit singles, five Top 40 singles, three Hot 100 singles, 4 Billboard 200 albums and a Grammy nomination.”
After all, “All Star” was an earworm that dominated the radio in 1999, and have become Smash Mouth’s biggest smash.
“The song just won’t go away since it’s just one in every of those songs,” Harwell told Rolling Stone. “It’s like f – – king Led Zeppelin ‘Stairway to Heaven.’ It’s like f – – kin’ Lynyrd Skynyrd. You’ve certain songs that bands make that just don’t go away. We were blessed with that, and it was ‘All Star.’ ”
“Steve’s iconic voice is some of the recognizable voices from his generation,” Hayes said.
“Steve loved the fans and loved to perform.”