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Steve Harwell, Smash Mouth Founding Singer, Dead at 56

www.rollingstone.com Steve Harwell, Smash Mouth Founding Singer, Dead at 56

“Walkin’ on the Sun” and “All Star” vocalist announced his retirement in 2021

Steve Harwell, Smash Mouth Founding Singer, Dead at 56

"Walkin' on the Sun" and "All Star" vocalist announced his retirement in 2021

STEVE HARWELL, WHO cofounded the band Smash Mouth in 1994, has died at the age of 56, band manager Robert Hayes confirmed. The musician, best known for hits like “All Star” and “I’m a Believer,” died at his home in Boise, ID “surrounded by family and friends.”

Harwell had been in hospice care following medical complications. The cause of death was liver failure, Hayes told Rolling Stone.

Hayes said Harwell “passed peacefully and comfortably.” In a statement to Rolling Stone, he offered a lengthy tribute to the artist, who was a staple of ’90s rock music and saw success with multiple albums and singles.

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  • I don’t see many compliments about Steve like the outpouring of love for people like Paul Reubens when they die, so I just wanted to share some nice words about him.

    My sister saw Smash Mouth and 3rd Eye Blind together in 1997 and Steve called out to the crowd “FUCK MARILYN MANSON.” I was taken aback at the time but realized he was basically calling out the focus on darkness, anger, self harm, violence etc in Marilyn’s music and the effect on the world (especially youth), vs positivity, togetherness. The music he’s put out seems to have embodies this.

    You don’t read a lot about his personal life or cutesy fan interaction ala Bill Murray or Keanu…but by all accounts he is a kind and humble guy. He seems to have struggled a lot with alcohol and mental health but loved to party and have a good time.

    I hope more people speak about with good things to say about him. I have a feeling he was a great guy we didn’t know very well.

101 comments