Fans will remember Harwell from Smash Mouth’s mega-famous 1999 hit “All Star.”
Steve Harwell, founding lead singer of the band Smash Mouth has died at 56 years old, the band confirmed.
On Monday, Smash Mouth’s official X account shared a photo of Harwell and wrote, “Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve will be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target. Rest easy.”
Harwell died early Monday morning at his home in Boise, Idaho while receiving at-home hospice care, his representative, Robert Hayes, said in a statement to CBS News.
A cause of death has not yet been released.
“He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably,” Hayes said. “Steve’s iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices from his generation. He loved the fans and loved to perform.”
Fans will remember Harwell from Smash Mouth’s mega-famous 1999 hit “All Star,” which was featured on the soundtrack for the first Shrek film.
Smash Mouth’s impact on the early 2000s music scene was undeniable. The band sold over 10 million albums worldwide and scored two No. 1 hit singles, had five Top 40 singles as well as earned a Grammy nomination.
During an interview with Rolling Stone in 2019, Harwell explained why “All Star” was meant to be Smash Mouth’s lead hit. “Nobody else could have sang that song,” he said. “It would have never been what it is now. I could’ve pitched that song to a million bands and they would have tried to do it, and it would’ve never been what it is.”
In addition to “All Star,” Smash Mouth is known for hits such as “Walkin’ on the Sun” from their 1997 album, “Fush Yu Mang,” “I’m a Believer” and “Then The Morning Comes” from the 1999 album “Astro Lounge.”
The band was formed in 1994 in San Jose, California and was originally composed of Harwell, Kevin Coleman, Greg Camp, and Paul De Lisle.
In 2021, Harwell retired from leading the band and was replaced by vocalist Zach Goode.