LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥 Steve Harwell, the longtime frontman of the Grammy-nominated pop rock band Smash Mouth that was behind the megahit 鈥淎ll Star鈥 has died. He was 56.
The band鈥檚 manager, Robert Hayes, said Harwell 鈥減assed peacefully and comfortably鈥 Monday morning surrounded by family and friends at his home in Boise, Idaho. The cause of death was acute liver failure, Hayes said in a statement.
Smash Mouth is also known for hits including 鈥 鈥 and 鈥 ."
鈥淪teve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle," Hayes said. "Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom.鈥
鈥淗is only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition,鈥 Hayes said, adding: 鈥淪teve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out.鈥
鈥淗e will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him,鈥 he said.
Born in California in 1967, Harwell performed in a rap group called F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech) before forming Smash Mouth in 1994. The band released on Interscope Records, their ska-fueled 1997 debut and 1999's 鈥淎stro Lounge.鈥 The second album featured some of the band's biggest hits, including the , which appeared in the movie 鈥淪hrek" alongside their cover of the Monkees' 鈥淚'm a Believer.鈥
Humor was a driving force behind Smash Mouth's success, and at the forefront was Harwell's playful alt-rock voice and persona. He made a cameo in 2001 comedy film 鈥淩at Race," and had a with the Food Network chef and host Guy Fieri.
On Monday, tributes began pouring in. Fieri 鈥淭o my brutha Steve RIP. Today is a sad day, I will miss my friend.鈥
's Chris Kirkpatrick and Joey Fatone also shared short homages.
鈥淚鈥檓 truly sorry for the difficult battle you had to fight,鈥 Kirkpatrick posted . 鈥淵ou were an amazing soul and will be deeply missed.鈥
Fatone said he had known Harwell for a long time.
鈥淥pened for NSync and even was my wedding singer at my wedding,鈥 . 鈥淗opefully people out there that are dealing with addiction. get the right help that they need.鈥
鈥淭oday鈥 host Carson Daly published a two-part , detailing the first time he met Harwell in 1995, when he was a DJ on JOME in San Jose and Smash Mouth was a new band.
鈥淚n better days, Steve was a force of a frontman & lived the life of 50 men,鈥 . 鈥淗e brought joy to millions with his music and his legacy will thankfully live on.鈥
鈥淩est in peace Steve Harwell,鈥 comedian Tom Green . 鈥淚 remember hanging with you back in the MTV days you were always super cool and an amazing talent - my condolences to your family and friends.鈥
Harwell retired from performing and left Smash Mouth in 2021. The band continued to tour with Zach Goode as the singer. Smash Mouth at the time saying Harwell had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy eight years earlier and had suffered 鈥渘onstop serious medical setbacks including heart failure as well as acute Wernicke Encephalopathy."
Hayes had released a statement on Sunday saying Harwell was in hospice care.
Harwell will be cremated in Boise and buried in San Jose, California, alongside his mother, Hayes said.
