Originally appeared on E! On-line
Steve Harwell, the retired lead singer of the rock band Smash Mouth, is receiving hospice care after a long health battle.
The 56-year-old is “resting at home” and “under the care of his fiancée and in hospice care,” his rep Robert Hayes told E! News in a statement on September 3: “While Steve is still with us, unfortunately it will only be for a short time. We hope people will respect Steve and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Entertainment Weekly quoted a representative for the band as saying that Harwell had “only about a week left to live” at home, adding that his loved ones had been gathering to be with him for the past three days.
Harwell co-founded Smash Mouth in 1994, and the group gained international fame with hits such as “All Star,” “Walkin’ on the Sun,” and a cover of The Monkees’ “I’m a Believer,” which is heard in the animated film “Shrek” from 2001.
“Steve’s iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices of his generation,” his rep told E! News. “Steve loved the fans and loved performing.”
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Over the past decade, Harwell has struggled with heart and neurological illnesses. The singer retired in October 2021 to focus on his health after exhibiting concerning behavior during a performance with Smash Mouth in Bethel, New York.
The band’s spokesman told the Los Angeles Times at the time that the singer had left the group to focus on long-standing medical issues, adding: “Despite Steve’s best efforts to overcome these ailments, he is heartbroken “To have to announce that it has become impossible for him.” to continue doing what he loves most: performing in front of the band’s millions of fans around the world.
The representative also told the newspaper that Harwell “has suffered greatly over the years from various types of addictions that have resulted in medical and psychological problems,” including cardiomyopathy and Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a neurological disorder that “affects his motor functions including.” Speech and impairments have been severely affected”. Memory.”
Jimmy Buffett’s cause of death has been revealed. According to an obituary posted on the legendary “Margaritaville” singer’s official website, Jimmy passed away at the age of 76 after a four-year battle with Merkel cell skin cancer. “Beloved singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett passed away on Friday, September 1, 2023, at his home in Sag Harbor, Long Island, surrounded by his family and friends. Buffett, 76, had been battling Merkel cell skin cancer for four years. He continued to perform during treatment, performing his final show, a surprise appearance in Rhode Island in early July,” the obituary states.
Harwell added in a statement at the time: “Since I was a child, I have dreamed of being a rock star performing to sold-out arenas and have been extremely fortunate to achieve that dream. It was an honor for my bandmates.” I’ve performed with you all these years and I can’t think of anyone I would rather have gone on this wild journey with.
He continued: “Thank you to our loyal and amazing fans, all of this was possible thanks to you. “I tried so hard to get my physical and mental health issues under control and play in front of you one last time.” But I just couldn’t. I am so grateful to each and every one of you who helped Smash Mouth sell over 10 million albums worldwide, got us to the top of the radio charts, and everyone who kept All Star relevant as one of them remains the top memes on the internet today.
After his resignation, Zach Goode was named the band’s new frontman.
“I can’t wait to see what Smash Mouth creates next,” said Harwell, “and look forward to becoming one of the band’s newest fans.”