Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell has died.
The frontman entered hospice care earlier this year, suffering from liver failure. In addition to this, he was also diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and Wernicke’s encephalopathy.
In a statement a few moments ago, it was confirmed that Steve Harwell had passed away. In a short note, his long-time manager Robert Hayes revealed the news, the singer having “passed peacefully and comfortably” at his home in Boise, Idaho on Monday, September 4th.
Smash Mouth was founded in 1994, blending punk aspects with a neat line in pop songwriting. Often witty and self-deprecating, the band’s undeniable charm took them to the upper echelons of the chart, nothing up two Stateside Top 10 hits – ‘Walkin’ On The Sun’ and ‘All Star’.
Second album ‘Astro Lounge’ became an international success as a result, with Smash Mouth becoming teenage heroes – a factor only accelerated by the inclusion of ‘All Star’ on the Shrek soundtrack. Indeed, that’s Smash Mouth at the film’s close, performing their take on ‘I’m A Believer’.
The statement from Robert Hayes reads:
“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.
Rest in power, Steve Harwell.
One more time, here’s ‘All Star’.
