In an unfortunate turn of events, Steve Harwell, the iconic voice behind Smash Mouth, now finds himself under hospice care, with precious little time remaining in his journey, as verified by a spokesperson for Smash Mouth. Robert Hayes, the band’s manager, conveyed this somber news to PEOPLE.
Mr. Hayes affirmed to PEOPLE, “Steve is currently finding solace in the comfort of his home, where his loving fiancée and compassionate hospice caregivers are tending to his needs.”
While it has been two years since Steve’s departure from Smash Mouth, the band continues to forge ahead with the talented Zach Goode as their new vocalist. Nonetheless, Steve’s indelible legacy will forever reverberate through their music.
His tenure with Smash Mouth witnessed the sale of over 10 million albums worldwide, alongside two chart-topping #1 singles, five Top 40 hits, three Hot 100 singles, four Billboard 200 albums, and even a Grammy nomination. His unmistakable voice remains a hallmark of his generation.
Hayes further emphasized, “Steve held a deep affection for his fans and cherished every moment on stage.” He added, “Though Steve is still among us, regrettably, his presence is but a fleeting moment. We earnestly request that everyone respects Steve and his family’s privacy during these trying times.”
TMZ broke the news on Sunday, disclosing that the 56-year-old former lead singer is now in the advanced stages of liver failure, following a previous stint in the hospital for alcohol abuse treatment. Harwell’s manager revealed that he has merely a week or so left to live.
Over the past decade, Steve Harwell has grappled with a series of health complications. After his diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and Wernicke encephalopathy in 2013, he made a heartfelt statement to PEOPLE in 2021, announcing his retirement from the band due to the toll on his mental and physical well-being. In his statement, he expressed gratitude to his bandmates and devoted fans for making his rockstar dreams a reality.
He confessed, “Since my youth, I harbored dreams of being a rockstar, performing before electrified arenas. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to live out that dream.” Harwell continued, “To my bandmates, it’s been an honor sharing this wild journey with you all these years, and I couldn’t have asked for better companions.”
In addressing their devoted fanbase, he conveyed, “All of this became possible because of you. I tried my utmost to soldier on despite my physical and mental challenges, striving for one final performance before you. But regrettably, it eluded me.” His decision came shortly after a TikTok video captured him dozing off, displaying offensive gestures to the audience, and uttering profanities during a New York performance.
Steve’s representative informed PEOPLE at the time, “Steve has grappled with severe health issues over the past eight years, and during his final performance on the Big Sip stage, he exhibited symptoms directly tied to his ongoing medical condition.” The statement continued, “Henceforth, Steve will be stepping away from Smash Mouth to concentrate on his physical and mental well-being.” It lamented, “Despite his unwavering efforts, Steve is devastated to acknowledge that it has become untenable for him to pursue what he cherished most – performing before millions of fans worldwide.”
A source close to Steve Harwell divulged to PEOPLE that addiction had profoundly impacted his life, contributing to the array of medical and mental health struggles he faced. Smash Mouth’s enduring fame is forever associated with their hits like “All-Star” and “I’m a Believer,” prominently featured in the Shrek film franchise. Additionally, the band gifted the world with tunes like “Walkin’ on the Sun,” “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby,” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends.”