Current:Home > FinanceSteve Harwell, former Smash Mouth frontman, dies at 56, representative says -NextFrontier Finance
Steve Harwell, former Smash Mouth frontman, dies at 56, representative says
View
Date:2025-04-14 20:45:44
Former Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell died early Monday at his home in Boise, Idaho, a representative confirmed to CBS News. He was 56.
The artist — whose band is best known for the 1999 hit "All Star" — had been in hospice care, according to representative Robert Hayes.
The cause of death was acute liver failure, Hayes said in a statement.
"He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably," Hayes said Monday.
Harwell retired from Smash Mouth in 2021, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode. Smash Mouth has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and had No. 1 hit singles, five Top 40 singles and a Grammy nomination.
Formed in 1994, Smash Mouth released two platinum albums, 1997's "Fush Yu Mang" and 1999's "Astro Lounge," which featured the chart-topping "All Star."
Smash Mouth's first hit "Walkin' on the Sun" and a cover of the Monkees song "I'm a Believer" have garnered hundreds of millions of streams since their releases.
But it was the infectious "All Star" — which was featured on the soundtrack of the 2001 blockbuster "Shrek" — that will forever be linked with Harwell and Smash Mouth.
"Nobody else could have sang that song." Harwell told Rolling Stone in 2019. "It would have never been what it is now. I could've pitched that song to a million bands and they would have tried to do it, and it would've never been what it is."
Harwell was previously diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease.
He will be cremated in Boise and buried in San Jose, California, Hayes said.
"His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size cajones," Hayes said. "Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out."
On Monday afternoon, Smash Mouth posted on X, the social media website formerly known as Twitter, about Harwell's death.
"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."
- In:
- Obituary
Stephen Smith is a senior editor for CBSNews.com.
veryGood! (89971)
Related
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Alaska Supreme Court to hear arguments in case seeking to keep ranked vote repeal measure off ballot
- PHOTO COLLECTION: Election 2024 DNC Day 3
- Education official announces last-ditch spending strategy for federal COVID-19 funds
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Nebraska man accepts plea deal in case of an active shooter drill that prosecutors say went too far
- Arrests in fatal Texas smuggling attempt climb 2 years after 53 migrants died in tractor trailer
- Defense attorneys for Boston Marathon bomber seek recusal of judge overseeing case
- Vance jokes he’s checking out his future VP plane while overlapping with Harris at Wisconsin airport
- Halle Berry Praises James Bond Costar Pierce Brosnan For Restoring Her Faith in Men
Ranking
- Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
- College town’s police say they don’t need help with cleanup after beer spill
- Canada lynx confirmed in Vermont for 1st time since 2018
- The Meaning Behind the Date Jennifer Lopez Filed for Divorce From Ben Affleck
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- 'Backyard Sports' returns: 5 sports video games we'd love to see return next
- Tim Walz is still introducing himself to voters. Here are things to know about Harris’ VP pick
- Mindy Kaling Gives Ben Affleck an Onstage Shoutout at DNC Amid Jennifer Lopez Divorce
Recommendation
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
Massachusetts man vanishes while on family vacation in Hilton Head; search underway
Kentucky man who admitted faking his death to avoid child support sentenced to prison
Ohio identifies 597 noncitizens who voted or registered in recent elections
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
Christina Hall Seemingly Shades Her Exes in Birthday Message to Son Brayden
Beware of these potential fantasy football busts, starting with Texans WR Stefon Diggs
Democrats turn their roll call into a dance party with celebrities, state-specific songs and Lil Jon