Smash Mouth Lead Singer Steve Harwell Has Died At 56
Steve Harwell, the former lead singer and frontman for Smash Mouth, has died. He was 56.
On Sunday evening, Steve Harwell’s manager Robert Hayes told reporters that the “All Star” hitmaker had entered hospice due to liver failure. Less than 24 hours later, Harwell has passed.
Photo: Hollywood Reporter
“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,” Hayes said
Photo: People
“His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size cajones. Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out.”
Leading Smash Mouth
Harwell originally formed Smash Mouth in 1994 with bandmates Kevin Coleman, Greg Camp, and Paul De Lisle.
The band started out playing ska punk music, before transitioning to a more alternative rock sound.
Photo: EW
After signing to Interscope Records in 1997, the band released their debut album Fush Yu Mang. The record would eventually go double platinum, propelled by the hit single “Walkin’ on the Sun” and a popular cover of “Why Can’t We Be Friends.”
“‘Walkin’ on the Sun’ changed music. It changed the way people listen to music,” Harwell told Rolling Stone in 2019. “It was so different and it was so unusual, and it was so special. And it just had that sound that we created. Ask anybody that’s tried to copy us, you can’t. You just can’t.”
Photo: Smash Mouth
In 1999, Smash Mouth released Astro Lounge, which featured more of a pop sound. The album would launch the band to superstardom after the release of the hit single “All Star”, which was prominently featured in the first Shrek film.
“All Star” would become an iconic 90s song and an anthem for a generation of fans. The song was followed by another hit “Then the Morning Comes” and Astro Lounge was eventually certified as triple platinum.
Although Smash Mouth would never reach the heights of “All Star” again, the band continued to record and tour together. Their last top-five single would be 2001’s cover of The Monkees’ “I’m a Believer”, which was also featured in Shrek.
Disney fans may also remember Smash Mouth from their cameo appearance in Kim Possible. Additionally, the band would perform at various EPCOT festivals.
Photo: Disney
Recent Controversies
In later years, Harwell would find himself at the center of controversy. During a June 14, 2015 performance at the Taste of Fort Collins food festival, Harwell became angry and yelled profanities at the crowd after audience members threw bread (which had been distributed by the festival) on stage. He later apologized.
In October 2021 during a Smash Mouth show in Bethel, New York, Harwell appeared to be intoxicated and once again threatened audience members. Following the performance, Harwell announced he was retiring from music due to ongoing health issues.
Photo: NY Times
Gone far too soon, Harwell leaves behind a lasting memory, and a voice that brought joy to a generation of fans.
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