SMASH Mouth frontman Steve Harwell has died at age 56.
The singer passed away Sunday morning following years of health problems, his manager shared with TMZ.
News of Steve's death comes after Smash Mouth's manager, Robert Hayes, revealed that the hitmaker had "reached the final stage of liver failure" after reportedly battling alcoholism for years.
Since 2013, Steve had suffered health issues including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and Wernicke's encephalopathy.
Steve was the vocalist for rock band Smash Mouth, best known for their hit song All Star, until he retired in 2021.
Read our Steve Harwell blog for the latest updates…
- By Jennifer Korn
Smash Mouth pays tribute
Smash Mouth has shared a tribute to Steve Harwell, which was posted on the band's official account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle," the band wrote.
"Steve will be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom."
"Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target. Rest easy."
- By Jennifer Korn
Steve Harwell's marriage
Steve Harwell had been married to a woman named Michelle Laroque.
However, it is unclear if the pair remained together until his death, as Hollywood Life reported in 2021 that it appeared they divorced after being married in the early 2000s.
There is minimal public information on their marriage.
- By Sophie Gable
Fans remember Steve Harwell
Fans are remembering Steve Harwell on X (formerly Twitter).
One fan shared a chip from Smash Mouth's music video for All-Star and wrote: "RIP Steve Harwell, thank you for giving us this absolute banger. you’ll always be remembered brother."
- By Sophie Gable
Debut album launched band into fame
Smash Mouth's debut album, Fush Yu Mang was released in 1997 with Interscope Records.
Their single, Walkin' on the Sun, hit number one on the Billboard Modern Rock chart.
- By Jennifer Korn
'I dreamed of being a rockstar'
Steve Harwell paid tribute to his bandmates in 2021, saying:
"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."
"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."
- By Sophie Gable
Began career as a rapper
Harwell began his music career as a rapper in California with the Group FOS (Freedom of Speech).
After the group broke up, he and Kevin Coleman formed a band known as Smash Mouth.
They quickly rose to fame performing at a summer festival with No Doubt and Beck, per Rolling Stone.
- By Jennifer Korn
Steve Harwell's retirement came after health scare
Steve Harwell's death comes just years after he appeared to be disorientated during a live gig in Syracuse, New York.
After the moment, the singer said he was retiring.
- By Sophie Gable
Smash Mouth pays tribute
Smash Mouth's official X account has paid tribute to their former lead singer.
The band posted a photo of Harwell and wrote: "Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle.
"Steve will be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target. Rest easy,"
- By Sophie Gable
Full statement, continued
Hayes continued: "Steve’s iconic voice is 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.
"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.
"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."
- By Sophie Gable
Full statement, continued
Hayes continued: "Steve’s iconic voice is 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.
"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.
"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."
- By Sophie Gable
Full statement
Smash Mouth's manager Robert Hayes told Rolling Stone: “Steve has been retired from Smash Mouth for two years now, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode,”
"That said, Steve’s legacy will live on through the music.
"With Steve, Smash Mouth has sold over 10 Million albums worldwide-wide and topped the charts with two #1 hit singles, five Top 40 singles, three Hot 100 singles, four Billboard 200 albums and a Grammy nomination not to mention the hundreds of film and television placements and of course those musical features in Shrek."
- By Jennifer Korn
Cause of death revealed
Steve Harwell’s death comes after he battled alcohol abuse for years and suffered with liver failure.
Robert Hayes, the band’s manager, previously told TMZ that Harwell’s family had been saying their final goodbyes.
He was receiving treatment at the hospital before being admitted to hospice care.
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