Steve Harwell is an American singer who is part of a popular rock band, Smash Mouth. The 56-year-old is the lead vocalist of the band and is currently admitted to hospice care due to a critical health condition. His manager, Robert Hayes, shared the news of his deteriorating health with the news outlet confirming that he is very unwell.
“Steve’s iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices from his generation. He loved the fans and loved to perform. Although Steve is here with us still, sadly it will only be for a short time.”
Hayed further requested fans and media outlets to grant privacy to the singer and his family members.
“My only additional comment is that we would hope that people would respect Steve and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Steve Harwell’s Journey With Smash Mouth
Steve Harwell is best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Smash Mouth. He was born on January 9, 1967, in Santa Clara, California. Harwell’s journey in music began in the late 1980s when he co-founded Smash Mouth. The band’s unique blend of rock, pop, and ska elements catapulted them into the limelight.
Their debut album, Fush Yu Mang (1997), marked a turning point in their careers. The album featured the chart-topping hit single Walkin’ on the Sun, a song that became an anthem for a generation. Smash Mouth’s discography boasts a treasure trove of hits like All Star, I’m a Believer, and Can’t Get Enough of You Baby. These tracks not only conquered the airwaves but also graced the soundtracks of popular films, making them instantly recognizable.
Steve Harwell’s charisma and charm extended beyond the stage. He ventured into the realm of reality TV, appearing on shows like Celebrity Big Brother and The Surreal Life. The legacy of Smash Mouth and Steve Harwell’s distinctive voice endures through the years.
In 1999, Smash Mouth’s song All Star achieved massive success, climbing to the Top 5 of the US charts and becoming a staple due to its inclusion in the Shrek soundtrack. To this day, it has racked up almost a billion plays on Spotify.
Their album Astro Lounge achieved a spot in the US Top 10. The group released five more albums, culminating in Magic in 2012.
Steve Harwell’s Loss
At the peak of their glory, tragedy struck the All Star band when Harwell’s six-month-old son passed away due to leukemia in 2001. The news of Presley’s diagnosis came as a devastating shock, as he seemed to be in perfect health. Harwell was away on tour when the news was conveyed to him while he was on the road.
The untimely demise of Presley Scott on July 29, 2001, was a tragedy that spurred the establishment of The Presley Scott Research Foundation for Leukemia, headed by the singer’s wife, Michelle Laroque. The foundation is devoted to furthering the battle against leukemia in spite of their earlier attempts to improve Presley’s condition.
In 2021, Harwell announced his retirement citing mental and physical health issues.
“I’ve tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues and to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn’t able to.”
What happened to Steve Harwell?
In 2013, Harwell was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart muscle to become larger and weaker, as well as Wernicke encephalopathy, a severe neurological disorder. In August 2016, while Smash Mouth was performing in Urbana, Illinois, the lead singer endured a severe incident on stage, requiring him to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Smash Mouth had to delay a number of their performances as a consequence of the medical treatment he was receiving for his cardiac health issues one year later.
At only 56, Steve Harwell’s medical conditions are particularly heartbreaking due to his young age. He is currently grappling with the complex repercussions of a life-threatening liver ailment.
EDIT: Steve Harwell has now passed away.
Steve Harwell’s Net Worth
Harwell has made a net fortune of 2.5 million dollars, largely due to his renowned career in music. He is especially renowned for his part as a co-founder and primary vocalist of Smash Mouth, the celebrated band.
He and the bassist Paul De Lisle have been with the band since day one, the only people still with it from the beginning. In 1999, Steve Harwell spent an estimated 600,000 dollars on a house in Henderson, Nevada. After deciding to get rid of the property in 2009, he sold it for 800,000 dollars. Subsequently, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee.
