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‘Legitimately heartbroken’: Smash Mouth’s fmr. lead singer 56, dies at Boise, Idaho home

September 4, 2023 | | Print Article

Update: Steve Harwell died Monday at his home in Boise, Idaho, after this article was published, according to the New York Times — the newspaper cited the band’s manager, Robert Hayes, in reporting Harwell’s death.

Prayers and tributes are pouring in for Smash Mouth’s former lead singer, Steve Harwell, who is reportedly in hospice at home, suffering from the final stage of liver failure.

According to TMZ, Harwell has “only days to live” and “his family is saying their goodbyes.”


(Video: YouTube)

Harwell’s manager told TMZ that the 56-year-old singer has struggled with alcohol abuse his entire life and, prior to returning to his home, he had been at a hospital receiving treatment.

Harwell’s friends and loved ones have, for the past three days, gathered at his home.

“Steve’s manager says he likely has only a week or so to live,” TMZ reports.

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“I’m legitimately heartbroken by the news regarding Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth. I knew his health wasn’t doing well for a while, but NOT like this. And while I do know S.M. for All Star & I’m A Believer, I’ve listened to quite a lot of their tracks afterward,” wrote one fan on X. “Thank you, Steve.”

“All my thoughts, prayers and well wishes are with my friend Steve Harwell,” said Poison’s lead singer, Bret Michaels. “I knew you’re a fighter, keep fighting my brother.”

“In 2001 Steve Harwell lost his 6 month old son, Presley, to Leukemia,” noted another fan on X. “Now that he is on his death bed, let us pray for his soul, that he may die in God’s grace and friendship and receive a merciful judgement, and that he be reunited with his child in God’s arms.”

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Harwell retired from Smash Mouth nearly two years ago, after a disturbing video of him performing at a music festival surfaced.

The singer appeared inebriated, slurring words and shouting obscenities to the audience.

“At the time, sources close to Steve told us he’d been battling ongoing health issues — stemming from a number of diagnoses he’d received over the years, including cardiomyopathy, heart failure and Wernicke’s encephalopathy,” TMZ reports. “His substance abuse was also mentioned to us back then … which we were told had contributed to his declining state.”

“The world of rock is filled with icons, and Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth stands tall among them. To hear of his health struggles is deeply saddening. How do we measure the impact of a voice that defined a generation?” wrote one loyal fan. “Every song, every lyric, is a chapter of a journey we’re fortunate to witness.”

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Melissa Fine
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