His reps at the time said in a news release that the video had "been taken out of context" to misrepresent the singer. In a statement to USA TODAY, Harwell's reps then revealed that the frontman had been battling health problems for the past eight years stemming from his diagnosis with cardiomyopathy. During an appearance with the band at The Big Sip in New York, a video of Harwell slurring his speech, cursing at the audience, and making a gesture that resembled a Nazi salute became viral. In October 2021, Harwell announced his retirement from the band after a fumbled performance at a beer and wine festival. Smash Mouth released their last studio album in 2012, "Magic." The cover – along with “All Star” – helped popularize the soundtrack to “Shrek” and appears in the animated comedy in a performance by Eddie Murphy's Donkey character. In 2001, Smash Mouth twisted the Neil Diamond/Monkees classic “I’m a Believer” into their own style and landed the band another Top 25 hit. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a pop culture touchstone. Success would escalate for Smash Mouth with their second album, 1999’s “Astro Lounge,” which unveiled “All Star,” a 3-million-selling hit that reached No. Their quirky pop approach and Harwell’s distinctive rumble of a voice distinguished the band from peers including Sugar Ray and Third Eye Blind and helped push their major-label debut, “Fush Yu Mang,” to sell more than 2 million copies. With hits “Walkin’ on the Sun,” “All Star” and a cover of “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby,” Smash Mouth commandeered pop radio in the late ‘90s. TMZ, which was the first outlet to report the news, reported Harwell has "reached the final stage of liver failure" because of alcohol abuse. Hayes told USA TODAY on Sunday that the singer was "resting at home" and "being cared for by his fiancee and hospice care." The rep said the family was asking for "privacy during this difficult time." He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him." "Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target. "His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition. Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out. "And the fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom," the statement said. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. "Steve Harwell was a true American Original. He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably," Hayes said in a statement. "Steve Harwell passed away this morning Sept. Robert Hayes, a longtime manager of Harwell and the band, confirmed the singer’s death in a statement to USA TODAY. Steve Harwell, the former lead vocalist of rock band Smash Mouth, died Monday at 56.
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