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SMASH Mouth frontman Steve Harwell has died at age 56, his manager confirmed.
The singer passed away Sunday morning following years of health problems, his manager shared with TMZ.
Guy Fieri has led tributes to the star, writing on X, formerly known as Twitter: “To my brutha Steve. RIP Today is a sad day, I will miss my friend.”
News of Steve’s death comes after Smash Mouth’s manager, Robert Hayes, revealed that the hitmaker had “reached the final stage of liver failure” after reportedly battling alcoholism for years.
Since 2013, Steve had suffered health issues including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and Wernicke’s encephalopathy.
Steve was the vocalist for rock band Smash Mouth, best known for their hit song All Star, until he retired in 2021.
Read our Steve Harwell blog for the latest updates…
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Three of Smash Mouth’s original members left
Kevin left Smash Mouth not long after the band released its second album, due to back problems that prevented him from playing on tour.
In the Summer of 2008, Greg left the band.
On October 12, 2021, Steve announced his retirement.
Paul is the only original member still with the band.
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How Smash Mouth got its name
Smash Mouth’s name was inspired by the American football offensive play of the same name.
The sports term “smashmouth offense” references a system where a majority of the game’s plays are handoffs to the fullback or the tailback.
Years earlier, the phrase was coined by Mike Ditka, coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
“Mike Ditka was an NFL head coach who coined the phrase Smash Mouth Football. We liked the way he said it,” the band shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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The formation of Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth was formed in 1994 by Steve Harwell and his manager at the time, Kevin Coleman.
Kevin and Steve had already known each other for four years by then.
The band came together when Kevin introduced Steve to Greg Camp and Paul.
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Members of Smash Mouth revealed
Smash Mouth’s current lineup includes:
- Paul De Lisle
- Michael Klooster
- Randy Cooke
- Sean Hurwitz
- Zach Goode
Paul De Lisle is the last of the band’s original members to remain with Smash Mouth.
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‘One of the best songs of our lives’
Fans are mourning the loss of Steve Harwell on social media.
One fan thanked the musician for “giving us one of the best songs of our lives.”
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Steve Harwell’s son passed away as an infant
Steve and his wife, Michelle Laroque, gave birth to their son, Presley, in January 2001.
Seven months later, Presley died of complications from acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), according to Billboard.
The infant had become ill a few days before his death and was rushed to Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas.
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History of health issues
Harwell had a history of serious health issues including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and Wernicke’s encephalopathy, TMZ reported.
In addition to battling several medical complications, Harwell also struggled with substance abuse.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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Steve Harwell died ‘peacefully and comfortably’
Steve Harwell’s death was first confirmed by his manager today.
His manager told TMZ that the singer passed away “peacefully and comfortably” within just days of entering hospice care.
Steve’s death was reportedly a result of liver failure, according to his manager.
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More on Steve Harwell and his career
Steven Harwell was best known for his career as a rock musician.
He was born on January 9, 1967, in Santa Clara, California, and first rose to fame in the early 1990s after forming the band Smash Mouth with Kevin Coleman, Greg Camp, and Paul De Lisle.
The band, which is still active to this day, is best known for the songs All Star and I’m a Believer, which were both featured in Shrek.
For years, Harwell and De Lisle were the only two constant members of the band, but that changed in 2021 when the late star retired.
Read Related Also: Kourtney Kardashian fans think star ‘secretly gave birth’ to baby boy after spotting ‘clues’
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Smash Mouth pays tribute
Smash Mouth has shared a tribute to Steve Harwell, which was posted on the band’s official account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle,” the band wrote.
“Steve will be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom.”
“Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target. Rest easy.”
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Steve Harwell’s marriage
Steve Harwell had been married to a woman named Michelle Laroque.
However, it is unclear if the pair remained together until his death, as Hollywood Life reported in 2021 that it appeared they divorced after being married in the early 2000s.
There is minimal public information on their marriage.
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Fans remember Steve Harwell
Fans are remembering Steve Harwell on X (formerly Twitter).
One fan shared a chip from Smash Mouth’s music video for All-Star and wrote: “RIP Steve Harwell, thank you for giving us this absolute banger. you’ll always be remembered brother.”
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Debut album launched band into fame
Smash Mouth’s debut album, Fush Yu Mang was released in 1997 with Interscope Records.
Their single, Walkin’ on the Sun, hit number one on the Billboard Modern Rock chart.
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‘I dreamed of being a rockstar’
Steve Harwell paid tribute to his bandmates in 2021, 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.”
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Began career as a rapper
Harwell began his music career as a rapper in California with the Group FOS (Freedom of Speech).
After the group broke up, he and Kevin Coleman formed a band known as Smash Mouth.
They quickly rose to fame performing at a summer festival with No Doubt and Beck, per Rolling Stone.
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Steve Harwell’s retirement came after health scare
Steve Harwell’s death comes just years after he appeared to be disorientated during a live gig in Syracuse, New York.
After the moment, the singer said he was retiring.
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Smash Mouth pays tribute
Smash Mouth’s official X account has paid tribute to their former lead singer.
The band posted a photo of Harwell and wrote: “Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle.
“Steve will be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target. Rest easy,”
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Full statement, continued
Hayes continued: “Steve’s iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices from his generation.
“He loved the fans and loved to perform. Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle.
“Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom.
“And the fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable.
“His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size cajones. Steve lived a 100 percent full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out.”
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Full statement revealed
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.
“With Steve, Smash Mouth has sold over 10 Million albums worldwide-wide 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.”
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Cause of death revealed
Steve Harwell’s death comes after he battled alcohol abuse for years and suffered with liver failure.
Robert Hayes, the band’s manager, previously told TMZ that Harwell’s family had been saying their final goodbyes.
He was receiving treatment at the hospital before being admitted to hospice care.
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Steve Harwell is dead at 56
Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell has died at age 56.
His death was announced one day after his manager shared the musician had entered hospice care for liver failure.
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