Steve Harwell
Steve Harwell | |
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 Harwell performing with Smash Mouth in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Steven Scott Harwell |
| Born | January 9, 1967 Santa Clara, California, U.S. |
| Origin | San Jose, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1988–2021 |
| Formerly of | Smash Mouth |
| Website | smashmouth |
Steven Scott Harwell (born January 9, 1967) is a retired American singer, best known as the former lead vocalist and frontman for the rock band Smash Mouth.[1][2][3][4] He and bassist Paul De Lisle were the only two constant members of the band until Harwell's retirement.
Career
Greg Camp formed Smash Mouth with Harwell, Kevin Coleman, and Paul De Lisle. Harwell was previously a rapper in F.O.S.[5] Harwell was a featured cast member in the sixth season of the VH1 reality show The Surreal Life in 2006.[6] He has appeared on other television and radio shows, as well as making a cameo in the 2001 film Rat Race. He is best known for the song "All Star".
He also performed two songs, "Beside Myself" and "Everything Just Crazy", for the 2013 South Korean-Chinese animated film Pororo, The Racing Adventure. On August 27, 2016, during a performance with Smash Mouth in Urbana, Illinois, Harwell collapsed on stage and was taken by ambulance to a hospital. The band completed the concert without him, with De Lisle taking over on vocals.[7]
In October 2021, the band performed at a beer and wine festival in Bethel, New York, where Harwell appeared to be intoxicated, threatening audience members and performing what looked like a Nazi salute.[8][9] Following the performance, Harwell announced his retirement due to ongoing health issues.[10][11]
Personal life
Harwell had a son named Presley who died in July 2001 from acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of 6 months.[12] Subsequently, Harwell created a medical research fund in Presley's name.[12]
In 2013, Harwell was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which has led to acute Wernicke encephalopathy, which can affect motor functions such as speech and memory, and heart failure. Harwell implied he retired because these problems hindered his ability to perform well.[13]
References
- ^ Steve Harwell at AllMusic.com
- ^ Steve Harwell at BuddyTV.com
- ^ Steve Harwell at BBC.co.uk
- ^ "Interview with Steve Harwell". Nyrock.com. November 1997. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014.
- ^ "Q&A: Steve Harwell On 20 Years Of Smash Mouth And Coming To Terms With All Those "All Star" Memes". Stereogum. July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ Wilkes, Neil (September 21, 2005). "New 'Surreal Life' cast named". Digital Spy. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
- ^ "Smash Mouth Singer Leaves Stage In An Ambulance, Band Plays "All Star" Without Him". August 28, 2016.
- ^ Barton, Monika (October 12, 2021). "Smash Mouth singer accused of doing Nazi salute in shocking footage from 'chaotic' gig". Newshub.
- ^ Brown, August (October 11, 2021). "Smash Mouth singer slurs words, curses fans at 'chaotic' live show". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (October 12, 2021). "Smash Mouth Singer Steve Harwell Retires After Disoriented New York Concert". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell retires after disoriented New York concert". NBC News. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- ^ a b Adele Slaughter (July 22, 2002). "Smash Mouth fights childhood leukemia". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ^ "Smash Mouth Singer Steve Harwell Retires, Citing Ongoing Health Issues". Billboard.
External links
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