FANS have remembered Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell as a unique talent and formidable presence after his tragic death on Sunday.
But the end of his career was defined by a public outburst during a show which led to his retirement.
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Harwell died peacefully and comfortably from liver cancer just days after checking into hospice care. He was just 56.
Smash Mouth’s manager Robert Hayes told Rolling Stone: “Steve has been retired from Smash Mouth for two years now, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode.”
“That said, Steve’s legacy will live on through the music.”
He had been on a downward physical decline since 2013 when he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and Wernicke encephalopathy, known as wet brain, which can affect motor functions.
Throughout his career, he also suffered from addiction and alcohol abuse, which a spokesperson for the band said could have fueled further health problems.
His issues mounted when a TikTok taken of his final performance went viral.
In the video, the user said she didn’t wish to offend but wanted to show her followers just how wild the show was.
Not long after it was posted, Harwell, one of only two original members remaining, announced that he would be stepping away from the band.
“I’ve tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues, and to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn’t able to,” Harwell announced at the time.
Not only did he step away from the stage, but also from public life in general.
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Little is known about how he spent his final years as he stayed out of the spotlight in favor of privacy.
In 2022, Harwell was replaced by Zach Goode – an actor and singer who was the only man who could replace the original singer’s grisly tone and massive presence.
Goode knew that he had big shoes to fill, and knew that he couldn’t step into his new role without acknowledging everything Harwell accomplished.
“Should I copy him? How should I dress?” Goode told Variety last year.
“The rest of Smash Mouth, though, just told me to be myself, so I did.
“Not messing that up is my sacred duty.”
‘ICONIC VOICE’
With Harwell at center stage, Smash Mouth sold over 10million albums worldwide and topped the charts with two No. 1 hit singles.
They were featured in multiple television shows and films, including an iconic spot in Shrek which introduced a younger audience to the band.
“Steve’s iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices from his generation,” Smash Mouth’s manager said.
“He loved the fans and loved to perform. Steve Harwell was a true American Original.”
In 2021, he paid tribute to his bandmates, saying: “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.
“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.”
He is survived by his wife, Michelle Laroque, and preceded in death by his son, Presley Harwell, who died from acute lymphocytic leukemia at just six months old.
A foundation was started in his son’s name to research childhood cancer.
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