Steve Hartwell, the former lead singer of Smash Mouth has died at the age of 56. The cause of death was acute liver failure, according to the band’s manager.
Smash Mouth said in a statement,
“Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom.
And the fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable. His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size cajones.Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life.Burning brightly across the universe before burning out.Good night Heevo Veev. Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target.”
Formed in late 1994, the band immediately began recording demos and showcasing in both San Jose and Hollywood. In June of 1997, Smash Mouth was signed to Interscope Records when label brass caught wind of an unknown (and unsigned) band being ADDED to monumentally influential L.A. radio station KROQ’s playlist after only one spin of their song “Walkin’ On The Sun”.
Smash mouth’s major-label debut “Fush Yu Mang” went DOUBLE PLATINUM and set the table for what most consider their masterpiece; 1999’s brilliant follow-up album “Astrolounge”. Boasting three top-ten hits (All-Star…Then The Morning Comes…Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby), sales for “Astrolounge” nearly doubled those for “Fush Yu Mang”. Approaching nearly QUADRUPLE PLATINUM status.
In 2022, the band welcomed a new frontman Zach Goode.
