Smash Mouth’s lead vocalist Steve Harwell has died. On Sunday, TMZ reported that Harwell had entered hospice care following liver failure because of alcohol dependancy. Now Smash Mouth’s supervisor Robert Hayes confirms to Rolling Stone that Harwell “handed peacefully and comfortably” at house in Boise, “surrounded by household and mates.” He was 56.

Smash Mouth issued this assertion by way of their Instagram account:

Steve Harwell was a real American Authentic. A bigger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve ought to be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned dedication to achieve the heights of pop stardom.

And the truth that he achieved this near-impossible objective with very restricted musical expertise makes his accomplishments all of the extra outstanding. His solely instruments have been his irrepressible attraction and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size cajones.

Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life.

Burning brightly throughout the universe earlier than burning out.

Good evening Heevo Veev.

Relaxation in peace understanding you aimed for the celebrities, and magically hit your goal.

Harwell was born in Santa Clara, California in 1967. He began Smash Mouth in 1994 with bassist Paul De Lisle, guitarist Greg Camp, and drummer Kevin Coleman. They performed round San Jose for a number of years and attracted the eye of Interscope Information with their demo of “Nervous In The Alley.” Their debut album, Fush Yu Mang, was launched on Interscope in 1997 and spawned the hit single “Walkin’ On The Solar,” which made it to #1 on Billboard‘s Fashionable Rock chart.

Their follow-up album, Astro Lounge, got here out in 1999 and contained “All Star,” one other large single that cracked the Prime 10 of the Billboard Scorching 100 and have become a mainstay of late ’90s tradition. It was later included within the 2001 animated movie Shrek, alongside Smash Mouth’s cowl of the Monkees’ “I’m A Believer,” which turned almost as ubiquitous. That cowl would find yourself being included on Smash Mouth’s third full-length, a self-titled album that got here out in 2001.

Smash Mouth continued on after that, releasing yet another album earlier than shifting over to Common and placing out a greatest-hits compilation, All Star Smash Hits, in 2005. That very same 12 months, additionally they launched a Christmas album, Reward Of Rock. Within the lead-up to the discharge of their fifth album, Summer time Lady, Harwell appeared on the truth present The Surreal Life. Lineup modifications shook up the group, and 2012’s Magic was Smash Mouth’s solely album launched with out main songwriting Greg Camp. It was additionally the final Smash Mouth album.

The band toured on the nostalgia circuit, with Harwell and Paul De Lisle remaining the 2 most constant members of the dwell group. Harwell suffered from quite a few well being points. In 2016, he collapsed on stage at a pageant. In 2021, Harwell retired from the band following a “chaotic” present, attributed to long-term medical points together with psychological well being and substance abuse issues and cardiomyopathy that impacted each his reminiscence and motor capabilities.