Former lead singer of the band Smash Mouth, Steve Harwell, passed away at the age of 56 after battling medical issues for several years, according to an Instagram post from the band. Band manager Robert Hayes confirmed that Harwell died at his home in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by family and friends. Earlier in the week, Hayes had announced that Harwell had been placed in hospice care and had only a short time left to live.
Harwell was known for his iconic voice, which Hayes described as one of the most recognizable voices of his generation. The band's Instagram account published a tribute to Harwell, stating that he lived a full-throttle life that burned brightly across the universe before burning out.
During his time with Smash Mouth, Harwell helped the band achieve great success. They sold over 10 million albums and had two No. 1 hit singles, "Walkin' on the Sun" and "All Star." The latter became an international hit and earned the band a Grammy nomination. Harwell spoke highly of the song, stating that it was meant to be Smash Mouth's and no other band could have sung it the way they did. "All Star" gained even more popularity after being featured in the film "Shrek," which Harwell admitted they had no idea would become such a huge success.
Harwell retired from Smash Mouth two years ago due to serious health issues. He expressed gratitude for living out his dream of being a rockstar and performing in front of sold-out arenas. The band has since continued to tour with vocalist Zach Goode.
Harwell's legacy will live on through his music, according to the band's manager. His distinctive voice and contributions to Smash Mouth will be remembered by fans and the music industry.