I was very saddened to learn that Steve Harwell, the long-time former lead singer of alt-rock band Smash Mouth, died this morning at the age of 56. His manager Robert Hayes told Rolling Stone that Harwell “passed peacefully and comfortably” at his home in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by family and friends. The cause of death was liver failure, apparently the result of years of alcohol abuse. Harwell had retired from Smash Mouth in 2021 due to poor health, and was replaced by Zach Goode as the band vocalist.

The band paid tribute in a post on X: “Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve will be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target.”

Born and raised in my hometown of Santa Clara, California, Harwell began his music career in next-door San Jose as a rapper with the group F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech). After that group split up, he began working with his friend, drummer Kevin Coleman, and the two of them eventually teamed up in 1994 with guitarist Greg Camp and bassist Paul Delisle to form Smash Mouth. They released their debut ska-influenced album Fush Yu Mang in 1997. The album was a big success for the band, going double platinum (2 million copies sold), and included their debut single “Walkin’ on the Sun”. The song became a huge hit as well, going all the way to #1 on the Billboard Adult Top 40, Modern Rock and Alternative Airplay charts, and #2 on the Hot 100. I loved the song’s cool, almost jazzy vibe, which made me a fan.

Smash Mouth followed in 1999 with their second album Astro Lounge, which was even more successful than their first, ultimately going triple-platinum and reaching #6 on the Billboard 200 Album chart. It included their hit singles “All Star” and “Then the Morning Comes”. “All Star” became the biggest hit of their career, selling over six million copies, and reaching #1 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 and Mainstream Top 40 charts, #2 on the Alternative Airplay chart, and #4 on the Hot 100. The song appeared in numerous film soundtracks, including the 1999 film Mystery Men and the first Shrek movie in 2001, which of course gave it even greater exposure. Both “Walkin’ on the Sun” and “All Star” rank among my favorite songs of the 1990s.

They had a hit in 2001 with their cover of the Monkees’ classic “I’m a Believer” which was also featured in Shrek, and went on to release five more albums over the next 12 years, though none were as successful as the first two.