The lead singer of the iconic rock band Smash Mouth died Monday at 56 from liver failure.
Steve Harwell “passed peacefully and comfortably,” his manager Robert Hayes confirmed to Rolling Stone magazine.
Prior to his passing, Harwell had entered hospice care after medical complications.
“Steve has been retired from Smash Mouth for two years now, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode,” Hayes said in a statement.
“That said, Steve’s legacy will live on through the music,” Hayes said. “With Steve, Smash Mouth has sold over 10 Million albums worldwide 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.’”
Harwell, who had a history of struggling with alcoholism, was told days ago he had a “short time left” to live, Hayes confirmed to People at the time.
After a cardiomyopathy in 2013, and being diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy, Harwell retired from the band in 2021 due to mental and physical health problems.
“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, Harwell said in a statement. “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.”
Smash Mouth is known for hits such as “I’m a Believer” and “Walkin’ on The Sun.” The songs “I’m a Believer” and “All Star” are featured on the soundtrack for the movie “Shrek.”
