Former Smash Mouth lead vocalist and frontman Steve Harwell has died, the New York Times reports. He was 56.
Smash Mouth's manager Robert Hayes confirmed that Harwell died of liver failure on Monday, September 4 at his home in Boise, Idaho. The confirmation comes just one day after Hayes said the "All Star" vocalist was in hospice care with "only a week or so to live."
"Steve's iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices from his generation," said Hayes. "Steve loved the fans and loved to perform. Although Steve is here with us still, sadly it will only be for a short time. My only additional comment is that we would hope that people would respect Steve and his family’s privacy during this difficult time."
In 2021, Harwell retired from performing and the band due to "longstanding medical issues" not long after he was seen slurring his words and arguing with concertgoers during a New York show. A representative for the band said Harwell forgot "where he was [and] his own lyrics" during the incident. He was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and the neurological condition Wernicke encephalopathy in 2013. The band still regularly performs across the country, albeit with a rotating lineup following his departure.
“Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rock star performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream,” said Harwell in a 2021 statement confirming his retirement. “To my bandmates, it’s been an honor performing with you all these years and I can’t think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with. To our loyal and amazing fans, thank you, all of this was possible because of you. 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 able to.”
Harwell was one of the founding members of Smash Mouth, who scored their first hit in 1997 with "Walkin' on the Sun." Perhaps their most famous contribution to the pop culture canon, however, is the 1999 single "All Star," which was prominently featured in the 2001 animated film Shrek alongside their cover of the Monkees' "I'm a Believer." The infallible "All Star" spent a total of 30 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and later gained a second life online in the form of a meme, something the band embraced.
During an interview with Rolling Stone in 2019, Harwell reflected on the legacy of "All Star" and said that he was proud of its lasting impact. "Nobody else could have sang that song," he shared. "It would have never been what it is now. I could’ve pitched that song to a million bands and they would have tried to do it, and it would’ve never been what it is."
