(Los Angeles) Steve Harwell, the longtime headliner of Grammy-nominated pop rock band Smash Mouth, died Monday at the age of 56.
Group manager Robert Hayes said in a statement that Steve Harwell “passed away peacefully and comfortably” Monday morning surrounded by family and friends at his home in Boise, Idaho. The cause of death was acute liver failure.
Smash Mouth was known for hits such as All Star and When the morning comes.
“Steve Harwell was a larger-than-life character who rose into the sky like a Roman candle,” Mr. Hayes said. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and passionate determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. »
Born in California in 1967, Steve Harwell played in a rap group called F.O.S. (Freedom of Speach) before forming Smash Mouth in 1994.
The band released two platinum-certified albums on Interscope Records, 1997’s ska-fueled Fush Yu Mang and 1999’s Astro Lounge. This second album featured some of the band’s biggest hits, including the platinum-certified single All Star, selected at the Grammy Awards, which appeared in the film Shrek alongside their cover of The Monkees’ I’m a Believer.
Humor was one of the driving forces behind Smash Mouth’s success, and at the forefront was Mr. Harwell’s voice and playful persona. He made a guest appearance in the 2001 comedy film Rat Race and had a well-documented friendship with chef and Food Network host Guy Fieri.
“His greatest assets were his charm, irrepressible charisma and fearless ambition,” said his manager.
“Steve lived a 100% full throttle life. Burning brightly through the universe before it burns out. He will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved him,” Mr. Haynes added.
Steve Harwell left Smash Mouth in 2021 and the band continued touring with Zach Goode as vocalist. The group then released a statement claiming that Mr. Harwell had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy eight years earlier and that he had suffered “serious and ongoing medical setbacks, including heart failure as well as acute Wernicke’s encephalopathy”.
Mr Hayes had issued a statement on Sunday saying Mr Harwell was in palliative care.
Steve Harwell will be cremated in Boise and buried in San Jose, California alongside his mother.
