BOISE, ID. (THECOUNT) — Steve Harwell, the singer of rock band Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56, band manager Robert Hayes confirmed.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Hayes said Harwell died at his home in Boise, ID “surrounded by family and friends.” He added that the musician “passed peacefully and comfortably.”
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“Steve has been retired from Smash Mouth for two years now, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode,” Hayes said. “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.”
He 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.”
Harwell, 56, was in the final stages of liver failure after receiving treatment in a hospital, reports EW.
Friends and loved ones gathered to visit with him for the past 3 days.
“We hope that people respect Steve and his family’s privacy during this difficult time,” added the representative.
Harwell was previously hospitalized in August 2016 after collapsing mid-concert in Urbana, Ill. and being rushed away in an ambulance. In 2017, the Smash Mouth postponed several performances while Harwell underwent treatment for heart problems.
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