The singer was best known for hits including All Star, which appeared in Shrek.

By Molly Moss

Published: Monday, 04 September 2023 at 16:32 PM


Steve Harwell, the former lead singer of US band Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56, his manager Robert Hayes has confirmed.

The musician died at his home in Boise, Idaho, “surrounded by family and friends”, Hayes confirmed in a statement to Rolling Stone

“Steve’s iconic voice is one of the most recognisable voices from his generation,” Hayes added. “He loved the fans and loved to perform … Steve lived a 100 per cent full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out.”

Hayes did not give a cause of death, but had earlier said Harwell was in the final stages of liver failure and was receiving end of life care at his home.

Harwell, who struggled with alcoholism, was diagnosed with the heart disease cardiomyopathy in 2013 and subsequently with a neurological disorder which affected his memory and speech.

Harwell formed Smash Mouth in the early 1990s with friends Greg Camp, Kevin Coleman and Paul De Lisle.

The single Walkin’ on the Sun became their first major hit, topping the Billboard Modern Rock charts and reaching No 19 in the UK Official Singles Chart in 1997.

However, it was 1999’s All Star that really catapulted the band to fame.