The singer was on hospice
Original Smash Mouth frontman Steve Howell has died of liver failure at the age of 56 at his home in Boise, Idaho.
The band has released the following statement:
“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.”
The former vocalist entered an at-home hospice recently and was given only days to live when the news was first reported by TMZ. Over the weekend, a manager for the band stated Harwell likely had less than a week to live after entering an at-home hospice following a series of health issues in recent years. He died on September 4th.
Harwell had been receiving treatment at a hospital but was put on hospice as he entered the final stages of the disease.
Harwell had struggled with alcohol and substance abuse throughout his life, which TMZ says is a contributing factor to his declining health.
In late 2021, Harwell retired from performing after a video went viral of him slurring words, yelling at the audience, and being completely disassociated with a performance in upstate New York. At the time, it was reported that Harwell had been suffering from heart disease cardiomyopathy for a lengthy period.
Harwell is 56 and rose to fame as the frontman and founding member of Smash Mouth in the late 90s with hits such as “Walkin’ On The Sun,” “All Star” and a cover of the Monkees’ “I’m A Believer.”
“All Star” vaulted Smash Mouth into superstar status. This perpetually catchy earworm of a track, as culled from the band’s 3x Platinum June 1999 sophomore album Astro Lounge, ultimately garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Written by the band’s founding and former guitarist Greg Camp, “All Star” not only captured the vibe of the times, but it became an instant singalong smash reflecting its intrinsic relatability across the globe. Initially aligned with the 1999 cult-favorite film Mystery Men and the family-friendly Inspector Gadget, “All Star” graced the opening credits of Shrek two years later, catapulting the song into the stratosphere of best-loved tracks that continue to inspire the pursuit of personal growth. “All Star” has also long since become one of the most popular meme-springboard subjects on record, recently inspiring the #SomebodyOnceToldMe trend on TikTok.
https://x.com/smashmouth/status/1698721853815283932?s=46&t=8FRVp6oNq_nOEzpMBLxhSA
