Steve Harwell, the charismatic lead singer known for his dynamic vocals as frontman of the band Smash Mouth, has passed away at the age of 56 from liver failure. Harwell’s death marks the end of an era in 90s pop-rock music.
Born on January 9, 1967 in Santa Clara, California, Harwell had music flowing through his veins from an early age. After playing drums in a string of bands during the late 80s, Harwell decided to take center stage as a lead vocalist. This creative spark led to the founding of Smash Mouth in 1994, along with guitarist Greg Camp, bassist Paul De Lisle, and drummer Kevin Coleman.
Crafting an energetic blend of ska, punk, and retro rock, Smash Mouth burst onto the music scene with the release of their debut album “Fush Yu Mang” in 1997. Propelled by the infectious hit “Walkin’ on the Sun,” the album launched the band to stardom and introduced Harwell’s dynamic and raspy vocals to the world. This was only the beginning, as their career hit new heights with the release of “Astro Lounge” in 1999, which featured the irrepressibly catchy “All Star.” With its mix of nostalgia and millennial angst, “All Star” became an enduring anthem of the era.
