Steve Harwell, the lead singer of 90s rockers Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56.
According to his manager, Steve Harwell passed away surrounded by family and friends at his home in Boise, Idaho.
Who was Steve Harwell?
Steve Harwell born Steven Scott Harwell was an American singer. Harwell served as the lead vocalist and frontman for the rock band Smash Mouth.
He and bassist Paul De Lisle were the only two constant members of the band until Harwell’s retirement.
Early Life
Steve Harwell was born on January 9, 1967, in Santa Clara, California. He attended Prospect High School in Saratoga, California.
Career
Greg Camp formed Smash Mouth with Harwell, Kevin Coleman, and Paul De Lisle. Harwell was previously a rapper in F.O.S.
Harwell was a featured cast member in the sixth season of the VH1 reality show The Surreal Life in 2006.
He has appeared on other television and radio shows, as well as making a cameo in the 2001 film Rat Race. He is best known for the song “All Star”.
Harwell also performed two songs, “Beside Myself” and “Everything Just Crazy”, for the 2013 South Korean-Chinese animated film Pororo, The Racing Adventure.
During a performance with Smash Mouth in Urbana, Illinois, on August 27, 2016, Harwell collapsed on stage and was taken by ambulance to a hospital.
The band completed the concert without him, with De Lisle taking over on vocals.
In October 2021, the band performed at a beer and wine festival at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, New York, where Harwell appeared to be intoxicated and threatening audience members.
Following the performance, Harwell announced his retirement due to ongoing health issues.
Steve Harwell death
Steve Harwell died at his home in Boise, Idaho, at the age of 56 on September 4.
Steve Harwell cause of death
Steve Harwell’s death was first confirmed by his manager on September 4, 2023.
In a statement to Mail Online, Harwell’s manager Robert Hayes said that the singer passed in Boise, Idaho ‘surrounded by family and friends’ and that he died ‘peacefully and comfortably.’
At the time of his death the singer was being cared for by his fiancée Annette Jones.
The statement described Steve Harwell as ‘iconic’ and credited him as having ‘one of the most recognizable voices from his generation.’
‘He loved the fans and loved to perform. Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle,’ the press release continued.
Although his official cause of death has not been confirmed, Hayes noted on Sunday he was in the final stages of liver failure when he was moved to hospice care.
‘Steve Harwell 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 percent full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out,’ it concluded.
Steve Harwell’s official cause of death has not been made public, but it comes two years after the singer retired from performing in 2021 due to a series of alcohol related health issues.
During an infamous performance in Bethel, New York, Harwell slurred through songs and verbally attacked fans.
His manager told the New York Post at the time that the singer was diagnosed with Wenicke encephalopathy, a condition that impacts motor skills and brain functionality.
He also reportedly suffered from cardiomyopathy, where weak heart muscles results in deteriorated speech and memory.
Formed in the early 1990s, the band shot to fame for the song All Star, which became an instant family classic when it was featured in the 2001 hit movie Shrek. The movie also included a cover rendition of the Monkee’s hit song ‘I’m a believer.’
With Steve Harwell at the mic, Smash Mouth sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
Harwell lent his voice to many of the group’s hits, including ‘Walking on the Sun’ in 1997, as their second studio album ‘Astro Lounge’ made its way into the Billboard Hot 100 list in 1999.
In a statement released the day before his death, Hayes said the singer was in the final stages of liver failure.
‘Although Steve Harwell is here with us still, sadly it will only be for a short time,’ Hayes said in a statement. ‘We would hope people would respect Steve and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.’
At the time of his death, the band was on tour with frontman Zach Goode.
When is Steve Harwell Funeral service?
As of now, the funeral arrangement of the late Steve Harwell has not been disclosed by his family.
Having said that, we are still following up on his death, we will update you as soon as we get important information about Steve Harwell funeral service.
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