Steve Harwell is a legend in the rock universe. The strong vocalist envisioned his musical journey in 1994, when he formed the band Smash Mouth along with guitarist Greg Camp and members, including drummer Kevin Coleman and bass guitarist Paul de Lisle.
Harwell and Paul were the only remaining original members until 2021, as the lineup kept changing. Nevertheless, Harwell carried on the legacy of Smash Mouth that first achieved recognition with their debut single, Walkin’ on the Sun.
The song reached a massive milestone, entering the top 25 on the UK Charts. Under the management of the record label Interscope, Smash Mouth smashed all records, including their debut album, “Fush Yu Mang,” going double platinum, and “All-Star,” released in 1999, which has almost a billion Spotify streams.
Harwell started his musical endeavors as a rapper in FOS (Freedom Of Speech) but was drawn more towards the rock genre. He thoroughly imbibed the rock persona, along with the drastic side effects– he developed severe alcoholism and struggled with mental illnesses.
Harwell tragically lost his son Presley to acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of six months in July 2001. He then founded a medical research fund in his baby’s name.
Despite many obstacles in his life, Harwell thrived to create his own legacy, becoming one of the most influential figures in the rock genre.
On September 4, 2023, Harwell breathed his last early morning at his home in Boise, Idaho. The cause of death was cited to various piling issues, including cardiomyopathy (heart condition), acute Wernicke encephalopathy (neurological condition), and years of struggle with alcoholism and mental illness.
Smash Mouth posted a heartwarming message for Harwell–
“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.”
Was Steve Harwell an Alcoholic?
The 56-year-old musician had a tumultuous relationship with alcohol and struggled for years with its addiction. Alcoholism also brought drastic behavioral changes, leading to some problematic incidents.
While Smash Mouth continued reigning with sold-out concerts, Harwell was fighting his inner issues. During one such show in 2015, Harwell reportedly lost his temper and screamed profanities in the middle of the live performance.
Then, a year later, in August 2016, he collapsed on the stage and was immediately taken to the ER by the paramedics.
The last straw struck in 2021 when he struggled at a difficult show in New York. The snowballing effect led him to decide to retire from Smash Mouth. The rockstar said in an interview–
“Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a Rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream.”
“To my bandmates, it’s been an honor performing with you all these years and I can’t think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with.”
How Did Steve Harwell Die?
Several reports have surfaced regarding his health conditions. So far, these are the only validated reports–
- At first, Steve Harwell was diagnosed with a heart condition called cardiomyopathy in 2013.
- Following that, a few months later, he was told that he had acute Wernicke encephalopathy stemming from one of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This neurological condition causes speech defects and memory loss.
- Harwell was also reportedly battling mental illness.
Harwell was in hospice care during his last few days. He was cared for by his fiancée, Esther Campbell, and the medical staff. His long-time manager and confidante, Robert Hayes, revealed that alcohol was slowly eating away Harwell as he struggled to contain himself. Read here for more details on Harwell’s conditions.
What is your take on Harwell’s Nazi salute during the live show? Was alcohol the cause of the downfall of his career? What are your thoughts on Smash Mouth’s music?
Let us know in the comments section below as we pay our respects to the legendary rock star.
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