Steve Harwell, former lead singer of US rock band Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56. His management confirmed this to the television station CNN and other US media. Harwell died Monday “surrounded by family and friends” at his home in Boise, Idaho. A cause of death was not initially mentioned.
“Steve Harwell was a true American Original,” wrote Smash Mouth’s X (formerly Twitter) account. Harwell will be remembered “for his unwavering focus and fierce determination.” Band manager Robert Hayes wrote on Facebook: “Rest in peace old friend.”
With Smash Mouth, the native Californian landed a number of hits in the USA in the late 1990s and early 2000s – the most famous being the catchy tune “All Star” (1999). As part of the soundtrack of “Shrek”, the song gained great popularity. Songs like “Walkin’ On The Sun” or the Monkees cover “I’m A Believer” also achieved Billboard status – to this day they are streamed millions of times on Spotify.
Harwell had left the band in 2021 and then retired from public life altogether. US media reported health problems at the time.
