EXCLUSIVE: Inside Steve Harwell’s final days: Friends reveal late Smash Mouth singer shared ‘smiles and tears’ with loved ones that helped ‘heal’ their relationship before he died at 56 after years of alcohol abuse issues

• Harwell was in hospice care when he died of liver failure on Monday at age 56 
• A source told DailyMail.com his last days were ‘more positive than anything else’
• The insider added that the singer had ‘a ton of issues for a good amount of time’

Steve Harwell’s family and friends want to remember the late singer as being an ‘amazing entertainer’ with a ‘heart of gold’ as they grieve his death, with a source revealing his final days were ‘more positive than anything else.’ 

The former Smash Mouth frontman died of liver failure on Monday at the age of 56, just a day after it was announced that he had entered hospice care as a result of years of alcohol abuse.

Harwell’s manager Robert Hayes said in a statement that he passed away ‘peacefully and comfortably’ surrounded by ‘friends and family.’ At the time of his death, he was being cared for by his fiancée Annette Jones. 

‘The last few days of Steve’s life were as good as they could be only because everyone knew what was happening and knew the eventual outcome. Everyone finally was able to accept it to the best of their emotions,’ a source close to Harwell’s family told DailyMail.com.

Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell died of liver failure on Monday at the age of 56, just a day after it was announced that he had entered hospice care as a result of years of alcohol abuse

The rocker’s family and friends want to remember him as being an ‘amazing entertainer’ with a ‘heart of gold,’ a source told DailyMail.com. He is pictured with Sean Hurwitz in 2013 

‘Steve had a ton of issues for a good amount of time that finally caught up to him that led to his passing and as much as it is sad and will be sad for a long time to those that loved him, at least he isn’t struggling anymore.’

Harwell sparked several controversies in recent years, including a problematic performance that led to his retirement, but his loved ones want to focus on the positive. 

‘Everyone wants to remember him for being the funny guy with a heart of gold and an amazing entertainer. He had his vices and thankfully he doesn’t have to worry and worry others about his well-being,’ the insider added. 

‘The last couple days were more positive than anything else, which Steve appreciated. Tears and smiles have an interesting way to heal, and everyone is now healing that was close to him.’

Harwell’s pop-punk style earned him legions of fans over the years as Smash Mouth landed two No. 1 hit singles and a Grammy nomination, selling over 10 million albums worldwide before he left the band two years ago.

‘His legacy will live on through the music’ said Hayes, who noted that the band is set to continue touring under new vocalist Zach Goode.

‘Steve 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.

Harwell’s pop-punk style earned him legions of fans over the years as Smash Mouth landed two No. 1 hit singles and a Grammy nomination

‘Steve had a ton of issues for a good amount of time that finally caught up to him that led to his passing,’ the insider said. Harwell is pictured with Greg Camp in 1997

‘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.’

Harwell’s official cause of death has not been confirmed, but his manager said he was in the final stages of liver failure when he was moved into hospice care. 

‘Although Steve is here with us still, sadly it will only be for a short time,’ Hayes said in a statement on Sunday. ‘We would hope people would respect Steve and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.’

However, his manager added in a statement to DailyMail.com that it has been ‘very heart warming to see the amount of love pouring in over the news of Steve’s passing’. 

Formed in 1994, Smash Mouth shot to fame with the song ‘All Star’ after it was featured in the 2001 hit movie Shrek. The animated film also included the band’s cover rendition of the Monkee’s hit song ‘I’m a Believer.’

That same year, Harwell suffered the tragic loss of his son, Preston, who died of leukemia at just six months old.   

In 2013, he was diagnosed with the heart condition cardiomyopathy and Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a neurological condition that impacts motor skills and brain functionality. 

Harwell captured headlines for several controversial moments in recent years. He announced his retirement from the band in 2021. The singer is pictured in 2018 

Harwell’s final were ‘more positive than anything else,’ according to the insider. At the time of his death, he was being cared for by his fiancée Annette Jones

Harwell’s final years on stage were met with controversy that eventually led to him quitting the band. 

He was widely criticized after Smash Mouth performed at a packed gig in South Dakota at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020.  

During the performance, he reportedly yelled: ‘F*** that COVID s***. 

The singer ended his career in 2021 after an infamous performance in Bethel, New York, in which he slurred through songs and verbally attacked fans.

In a statement to People magazine at the time, he heartbreakingly announced his retirement as his representatives admitted he was dealing with ‘long-term medical issues.’

‘Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a Rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream,’ he said. 

‘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.’

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