Smash Mouth Singer Steve Harwell dies aged 56

Lead singer of the US band Smash Mouth, Steve Harwell has died after receiving end-of-life care at his home for liver failure.

In a statement by the band's manager, Robert Hayes said Harwell died at home in Idaho, "surrounded by family and friends... Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out."

In September last year, band manager Hayes confirmed to the media that Harwell did not have long left to live and was receiving care from a hospice alongside his fiancé.

The Smash Mouth lead singer had struggled with alcoholism over the course of his career and in 2013 was diagnosed with heart ailment cardiomyopathy.

This caused Harwell to suffer with his memory and speech and he made a decision to retire from the band in 2021 over mental and physical health issues.

After a performance in New York where Harwell appeared intoxicated and was filmed yelling at the audience and being unable to speak correctly, Harwell made the decision to leave the band.

One of the band's biggest hits was 'All Star' which features in the first Shrek movie which has become a meme and a popular sound used on the social media platform, Tik Tok. 

Harwell also got involved in children's charities after his newborn son, Presley died in 2001 after suffering complications from acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Harwell began by setting up a medical research fund in his son's name and raised $15,000 for a children's hospital.

Band manager Hayes also said in a statement regardless of Harwell's turbulent career: "Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom... His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size cajones."