Steve Harwell, the former lead vocalist of the rock band Smash Mouth is currently in hospice care, as reported by USA TODAY. Harwell, 56 years old, is receiving care at home from his fiancée and hospice care providers. His manager Robert Hayes confirmed this information and emphasized the family request for privacy during this challenging time.
TMZ initially reported that Harwell is in the final stage of liver failure due to a history of alcohol abuse. This comes after Harwell announced his retirement from Smash Mouth in October 2021 following a performance at a beer and wine festival that went viral for his slurred speech, cursing at the audience and a gesture resembling a Nazi salute. At the time his representatives stated that the video had been taken out of context and that Harwell had been battling health issues stemming from his diagnosis with cardiomyopathy for the past eight years. These health issues included heart failure and acute Wernicke encephalopathy which affected his speech and memory.
Harwell expressed his gratitude for having lived his dream of being a rock star and performing in front of sold out arenas. He shared his excitement for what Smash Mouth would accomplish next and looked forward to being one of the band's newest fans.
Smash Mouth gained fame in the late 1990s with their major label debut album Fush Yu Mang which sold two million copies. Their follow up album Astro Lounge featured the hit All Star and they contributed to the soundtrack of the animated film Shrek in 2001.
Steve Harwell's health struggles have been a significant part of his journey in recent years, and his retirement marked the end of an era for the band and its fans.
Steve Harwell's manager, Robert Hayes, has confirmed that the former lead vocalist of Smash Mouth is currently in hospice care. Harwell, 56 years old is resting at home under the care of his fiancée and hospice care providers. Hayes emphasized the family request for privacy during this challenging time.
TMZ initially reported that Harwell has reached the final stage of liver failure, attributed to a history of alcohol abuse. In October 2021 Harwell announced his retirement from Smash Mouth following a viral performance at a beer and wine festival during which he displayed slurred speech directed profanity at the audience and made a gesture resembling a Nazi salute. His representatives clarified that the video had been taken out of context and revealed his ongoing health issues, including heart failure and acute Wernicke Encephalopathy, affecting his speech and memory.
Harwell expressed gratitude for having lived his dream of being a rock star and performing in sold out arenas. He looked forward to what Smash Mouth would achieve in the future and anticipated becoming one of the band's newest fans.
Smash Mouth gained fame in the late 1990s with hits like Walkin on the Sun and All Star. Their album Astro Lounge which included All Star reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1999.
The band has continued to tour with vocalist Zach Goode who joined them in 2022.