Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell, identified for the ever-present pop-rock hit ‘All Star,’ dies at 56
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Steve Harwell, the longtime frontman of the Grammy-nominated pop rock band Smash Mouth that was behind the megahit “All Star” has died. He was 56.
The band’s supervisor, Robert Hayes, stated Harwell “handed peacefully and comfortably” Monday morning surrounded by household and mates at his dwelling in Boise, Idaho. The reason for demise was acute liver failure, Hayes stated in a press release.
Smash Mouth can be identified for hits together with “ Walkin’ on the Solar ” and “ Then The Morning Comes.”
“Steve Harwell was a real American Unique. A bigger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle,” Hayes stated. “Steve ought to be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned dedication to succeed in the heights of pop stardom.”
Born in California in 1967, Harwell carried out in a rap group referred to as F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech) earlier than forming Smash Mouth in 1994. The band launched two platinum albums on Interscope Data, the ska-fueled 1997’s “Fush Yu Mang” and 1999’s “Astro Lounge.” The second album featured among the band’s greatest hits, together with the Grammy-nominated, platinum single “All Star,” which appeared within the film “Shrek” alongside their cowl of the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.”
Humor was a driving drive behind Smash Mouth’s success, and on the forefront was Harwell’s playful alt-rock voice and persona. He made a cameo in 2001 comedy movie “Rat Race,” and had a well-documented friendship with the Meals Community chef and host Man Fieri.
“His solely instruments had been his irrepressible allure and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size (cojones),” Hayes stated. “Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly throughout the universe earlier than burning out.”
“He will probably be tremendously missed by those that knew and cherished him,” he stated.
Harwell retired from performing and left Smash Mouth in 2021. The band continued to tour with Zach Goode because the singer. Smash Mouth launched a press release on the time saying Harwell had been identified with cardiomyopathy eight years earlier and had suffered “nonstop severe medical setbacks together with coronary heart failure in addition to acute Wernicke Encephalopathy.”
Hayes had launched a press release on Sunday saying Harwell was in hospice care.
Harwell will probably be cremated in Boise and buried in San Jose, California, alongside his mom, Hayes stated.
