He began receiving hospice care on Sunday after months of declining health
Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell has passed away. The singer died Monday at his home in Boise, Idaho. The band’s manager, Robert Hayes, confirmed that that Harwell’s cause of death was liver failure. He was 56.
“Steve Harwell was a true American Original,” the band said in a statement. “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. Good night Heevo Veev. Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target.”
Smash Mouth formed in 1994 in San Jose, California. The broke out in 1997 with their debut album Fush Yu Mang. Released on July 8 via Interscope Records, the album peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard 200. Their watershed hit “Walkin’ on the Sun” hit No. 2 on the Mainstream Top 40, and topped the Alternative Airplay chart. In 1999, Smash Mouth avoided the Sophomore Slump with the release of their multi-platinum second LP Astro Lounge. The album, which featured the hits “All Star,” “Come On Come On,” and their Four Seasons cover of “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby,” would eventually sell over 3 million units.