Steve Harwell, the ex-frontman for the band Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56 years old. Though never going public with his addiction struggle, an inside source revealed that Harwell struggled with many unspecified addictions over the years, as reported to Billboard. Harwell’s long-term alcohol misuse was something he hinted at when he retired from Smash Mouth in 2022. Most recently, it was Steve Hartwell, former band member did steve harwell drink of Smash Mouth that sadly passed away at the age of 56.
Life of Steve Harwell
This is because any further use of alcohol or other substances can lead to rapid damage to the newly transplanted liver, causing the operation to fail. But many transplant centers will refuse the operation to people who are currently active substance abusers or alcoholics. It is more common, however, for acute liver failure to occur in people who have no prior history of liver problems. Acute liver disease, however, is rare, with about 2,000 people diagnosed with the disease every year. Chronic liver disease is more common than acute and was the ninth leading cause of death in the US in 2020, behind 56,000 fatalities.
Smash Mouth’s legacy in the music industry is marked by their catchy melodies, witty lyrics, and infectious energy, earning them critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. Their music has become synonymous with the carefree spirit of the late 90s and early 2000s, appearing in films, TV shows, commercials, and video games. Smash Mouth, a rock band, gained prominence in the late 1990s with their unique blend of alternative rock and pop influences. It wasn’t until 2001 though, with the release of the first Shrek film, when their hits “All Star” and “I’m a Believer” were featured on the film’s soundtrack that the band achieved mainstream success. The Conners’ John Goodman revealed how much he is struggling with the popular sitcom ending.
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- The pressures of fame, coupled with the demands of a rigorous touring schedule, took a toll on his mental and physical well-being.
- But many transplant centers will refuse the operation to people who are currently active substance abusers or alcoholics.
- People like Steve Harwell, who succumbed to acute liver failure, bear the brunt of this illness’s fatal potential.
- “He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably,” the band’s manager, Robert Hayes, said in a statement to NBC News.
Acute liver failure is when the organ rapidly loses its ability to function, typically over a period of days to weeks. Steve Harwell’s passion for music began at a young age, leading him to join local bands and hone his skills as a vocalist. His breakthrough came when he co-founded Smash Mouth in 1994, with the band’s debut album, “Fush Yu Mang,” and hit single, “Walkin’ on the Sun,” propelling them to international fame. Through his advocacy efforts, Harwell sought to destigmatize addiction and promote a culture of compassion and understanding.
How Did Steve Harwell Die? Smash Mouth Singer Dead at 56
Steve Harwell was not married when he died, and his only son, Presley Harwell, is deceased. He passed away in the morning, surrounded by his loved ones in his home in Boise, Idaho. In other cases, a whole liver may be taken from a deceased donor and transplanted into a patient. Harwell also dabbled in acting and television, appearing on VH1’s sixth season of The Surreal Life and having a cameo (along with the rest of the band) in the 2001 film Rat Race.
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His journey with Smash Mouth, a band that would become synonymous with infectious melodies and vibrant energy, began in the mid-1990s. Alongside guitarist Greg Camp, bassist Paul De Lisle, and drummer Kevin Coleman, Harwell embarked on a musical odyssey that would captivate audiences worldwide. Steve Harwell’s official cause of death was attributed to acute liver failure, a tragic end linked to his long battle with alcohol addiction. Smash Mouth released significant albums like ‘Fush Yu Mang’ in 1997 and ‘Astro Lounge’ in 1999, which solidified their place in music history.
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Imagine the liver, an organ designed to detoxify your body, giving in to the constant onslaught of alcohol, leading to irreversible damage and, eventually, failure. This article honors Harwell’s life and work, emphasizing his influence on the music industry and raising awareness about the detrimental effects of alcohol addiction. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle,’ Hayes said. For example, if someone took too much acetaminophen, doctors have medications available to help counter the toxicity. There can be multiple causes of acute liver failure, including an overdose of a common medicine.
- His journey with Smash Mouth, a band that would become synonymous with infectious melodies and vibrant energy, began in the mid-1990s.
- The Conners’ John Goodman revealed how much he is struggling with the popular sitcom ending.
- According to a news outlet, he hailed an Uber at that time and got himself to the hospital.
- Unfortunately, Harwell’s passing is a solemn reminder that anyone can be affected by alcohol use disorder, no matter their level of success.
- It breaks down nutrients and chemicals and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
In addition to acute liver failure, Harwell was suffering from cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that was causing serious issues in other parts of his body. These issues included heart failure and acute Wernicke encephalopathy, the latter of which caused Harwell to have speech and memory problems. All these, combined with his alcohol addiction, were major factors in Steve Harwell’s cause of death. Steve Harwell’s cause of death was ultimately liver failure due to the large amounts of alcohol the star drank while he was alive, which led to alcoholic liver disease. Although his death was a shock to many, it’s reported that his friends and family said it was a long time coming.
Disease
Cardiomyopathy is a heart disease where the heart muscles are not strong enough to pump blood to the rest of the body, which can ultimately result in heart failure. People suffering from cardiomyopathy may present with boating of the abdomen, dizziness, breathlessness, and rapid heartbeat. Excessive, long-term alcohol use is one of the contributing behaviors that can cause this condition. Harwell entered hospice care on Sunday and died on Monday, surrounded by his fiancée, friends, and family in his Boise, Idaho home. “Smash Mouth songs have been the soundtrack to so many people’s lives and I’m honored to care for them in my own little way, even if only for a while.
Harwell left Smash Mouth in October 2021 to “focus on his physical and mental health,” his representative told People at the time. For instance, although chronic alcohol consumption doesn’t directly cause acute liver failure, it “decreases the threshold to develop drug-induced liver injury,” Lucero says. Chronic liver failure on the other hand, is when the organ loses its ability to function over months to years due to damage compounded over time. It has also been reported that Harwell had been suffering from liver failure following a life-long battle with alcohol abuse and addiction.
Steve Harwell’s journey serves as a reminder of the highs and lows of fame, showcasing the human experience behind the glitz and glamor of the music industry. As we celebrate his contributions to music and pop culture, let us also acknowledge the importance of compassion and understanding in supporting those facing personal battles. The band’s manager, Robert Hayes, played a crucial role in communicating significant events related to Harwell’s health, confirming his liver failure and the end-of-life care he was receiving. Recently, some experts have started using the term acute on chronic liver failure.
Although Steve didn’t perform much as a lead vocalist in his final years, his recordings were still popular, especially among those nostalgic for the 90s. Prior to Steve Harwell’s death, his last public performance was almost two years ago, in October 2021, and it ended as a failure. If they do receive a transplant and continue to drink, “then their new liver will also fail eventually.” In some cases, treatments can prevent further complications or help reverse acute liver failure by giving the liver time to heal, the Mayo Clinic says.
Celebrity alcohol addiction, like any other alcohol use disorder, places tremendous strain on the liver. Prior to the show, Harwell had already taken a break because of cardiomyopathy and heart failure, and the issues led him to miss some of the band’s performances and shows. The frontman showed signs of the disease’s physical effects in October 2021 during a Smash Mouth concert in Bethel, New York, as he slurred his speech while cursing and making threats. A viral video captured him drinking and flashing his middle fingers throughout the performance amid the issues with the PA system. Steve Harwell was known for his pop and rock hit songs with Smash Mouth, namely “All-Star,” which became a Billboard top hit.
The pressures of fame, the lack of privacy, the demands of employers, and the expectations of fans. “Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life,” Smash Mouth said in a statement on Instagram. “Burning brightly across the universe before burning out. Good night Heevo Veev. Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target.”