Smash Mouth's iconic frontman Steve Harwell has died after he was moved to hospice care with "only a week or so to live," according to what his manager Robert Hayes said at the time.
His death has officially been reported by TMZ.
The 56-year-old vocalist was originally in the hospital for liver complications but was later "resting at home and being cared for by his fiancé and hospice care," Hayes told The Independent before Harwell's death.
"Steve's iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices from his generation," Hayes stated at the time, reflecting on Harwell's monumental impact on the rock music scene. "Steve loved the fans and loved to perform. Although Steve is here with us still, sadly it will only be for a short time."
Smash Mouth first burst onto the music scene in 1994, but their enduring hit 'All Star' catapulted them to international stardom in 1999. This chart-topping single not only climbed to No. 1 in the U.S. but also found a new generation of fans when it was featured in the 2001 films Shrek and Rat Race.
According to streaming data, 'All Star' remained one of the most-streamed rock songs in the US from 2017 to 2021.
Harwell’s own performance of 'All Star' in Rat Race further solidified his celebrity status. He starred alongside an ensemble cast including comedy legends Whoopi Goldberg, Rowan Atkinson, and Jon Lovitz.
For the Shrek soundtrack, Smash Mouth also recorded a cover version of The Monkees' track 'I'm a Believer', leaving an indelible mark on pop culture. Other memorable hits from the band include 'Walkin' on the Sun' (1997) and 'Can't Get Enough of You Baby' (1998).
Harwell retired from the music industry in 2001 and later faced significant health challenges.
In 2013, he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that weakens the heart muscle, and Wernicke encephalopathy, an acute neurological condition.
Harwell also suffered heart failure and has struggled with alcoholism throughout his life. The band had to postpone several shows in 2017 while Harwell received treatment.
Hayes acknowledged that "even though Steve has not been with Smash Mouth for two years now, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode, his legacy will live on through the music."
The band has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and topped the charts with multiple hit singles and albums, even earning a Grammy nomination.
Fellow musician Bret Michaels had shared his support before Harwell's passing, tweeting: "All my thoughts, prayers and well wishes are with my friend Steve Harwell. I knew you’re a fighter, keep fighting my brother."
As fans and friends alike come to terms with the heartbreaking news, the legacy of Harwell and his incredible voice will undoubtedly live on, immortalized through the indelible mark he's left on music and pop culture.
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