The music world mourns the loss of Steve Harwell, the beloved frontman of the Grammy-nominated pop-rock sensation, Smash Mouth. Harwell, aged 56, has bid his final farewell.
Robert Hayes, the band’s manager, shared that Harwell peacefully departed on Monday morning, surrounded by family and close friends, at his residence in Boise, Idaho. The cause of his passing was attributed to acute liver failure, as stated in Hayes’ official announcement.
Smash Mouth, renowned for chart-toppers like “All Star” and “Then The Morning Comes,” carved an indelible place in the music industry.
“Steve Harwell was a quintessential American original—an expansive, larger-than-life personality who ascended to the heavens like a firework,” remarked Hayes. “Steve’s legacy should shine for his unrelenting dedication and fervent pursuit of pop stardom.”
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Born in California in 1967, Harwell initially ventured into the music world as part of the rap group F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech). However, his true calling emerged when he founded Smash Mouth in 1994. The band catapulted to fame with two platinum albums on Interscope Records: the ska-infused “Fush Yu Mang” in 1997 and “Astro Lounge” in 1999. The latter featured iconic hits, including the Grammy-nominated platinum single “All Star,” prominently featured in the movie “Shrek,” alongside their rendition of the Monkees’ classic, “I’m a Believer.”
Humor was a cornerstone of Smash Mouth’s appeal, with Harwell’s playful alt-rock voice and persona at the forefront. His charismatic presence extended to a cameo in the 2001 comedy film “Rat Race,” as well as a well-documented friendship with the Food Network’s culinary sensation, Guy Fieri.
In 2021, Steve Harwell departed from Smash Mouth, and the band continued to tour, with Zach Goode assuming the role of lead vocalist. At that time, the band issued a statement revealing that Harwell had battled cardiomyopathy for eight years, enduring continuous medical challenges, including heart failure and acute Wernicke Encephalopathy.
In accordance with his wishes, Harwell will be cremated in Boise and laid to rest beside his mother in San Jose, California, according to Hayes. Steve Harwell’s remarkable journey through music will forever resonate in the hearts of fans worldwide.
