“Walkin’ on the Sun” and “All Star” vocalist announced his retirement in 2021

STEVE HARWELL, WHO cofounded the band Smash Mouth in 1994, has died at the age of 56, band manager Robert Hayes confirmed. The musician, best known for hits like “All Star” and “I’m a Believer,” died at his home in Boise, ID “surrounded by family and friends.”

Harwell had been in hospice care following medical complications. The cause of death was liver failure, Hayes told Rolling Stone.

Hayes said Harwell “passed peacefully and comfortably.” In a statement to Rolling Stone, he offered a lengthy tribute to the artist, who was a staple of ’90s rock music and saw success with multiple albums and singles.

232 points

He was right.

The years start coming, and they simply do not stop coming.

RIP King

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70 points

Whoever told him the world was gonna roll him was pretty sharp

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35 points

“It’s a cool place and they say it gets colder
You’re bundled up now, wait 'til you get older”

Steve Harwell was a prophet.

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3 points

“The ice we skate is getting pretty thin. The waters getting warm so we might as well swim. My worlds on fire how about yours? Thats the way I like it because I never get bored.”

A prophet indeed

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26 points

And they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they

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21 points

This version is the best for “they don’t stop coming”

https://youtu.be/eT3BFzSD6YY?si=ZVEbkr0S0RL9nh5j

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85 points

I don’t see many compliments about Steve like the outpouring of love for people like Paul Reubens when they die, so I just wanted to share some nice words about him.

My sister saw Smash Mouth and 3rd Eye Blind together in 1997 and Steve called out to the crowd “FUCK MARILYN MANSON.” I was taken aback at the time but realized he was basically calling out the focus on darkness, anger, self harm, violence etc in Marilyn’s music and the effect on the world (especially youth), vs positivity, togetherness. The music he’s put out seems to have embodies this.

You don’t read a lot about his personal life or cutesy fan interaction ala Bill Murray or Keanu…but by all accounts he is a kind and humble guy. He seems to have struggled a lot with alcohol and mental health but loved to party and have a good time.

I hope more people speak about with good things to say about him. I have a feeling he was a great guy we didn’t know very well.

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162 points

He lost me when I saw him in a video trashed while singing and throwing up Nazi salutes and insulting the crowd. You can blame the alcohol all you want, but Nazi salutes are a line you don’t cross. So I dunno what happened to all his positivity, but it’s been long gone.

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131 points

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally/Superspreader Event. As a healthcare provider during the pandemic, I lost any desire to hear All Star ever again.

https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/motorcycle-rally-where-smash-mouth-played-was-a-superspreader-event-report-says

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35 points

That was the event that caused me to lose respect for them. I loved their music before that and was happy to see them gain popularity after Shrek and sad to see that popularity turn against them when radio shows overplayed All Star.

But then they headlined what I saw as the symbol of the lack of resilience a portion of the population had and removed them from my playlists and don’t let my mind dwell on their songs anymore.

And now I’m wondering if covid was a factor in his death. Even if his heart condition wasn’t caused by it in the first place, covid does a number on the heart and other organs, and I wonder if it took years off his life.

RIP, I’ll let go of those feelings now.

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62 points

I was/is an alcoholic (now sober) and I never resorted to Nazi salutes at my worst lol. I didn’t even think about that shit

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35 points
*

I drank professionally for about 15 years and I also never once endorsed genocide. It’s really easy to do. All you have to do is be a normal person to whom it would never occur as an idea in the first place.

edit: lol @ the two downvotes who were like “not endorsing genocide is a constant struggle”

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-5 points

He drank enough that it killed him. I think it’s safe to say he was in a different place than you were.

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-19 points

Did you watch the video or read the transcript? He’s telling people he’s going to kill then. More and more agitated, just flailing at anything. Flipping off the crowd. Completely out of his mind. Not saying doing a nazi salute is ok but this guy isn’t a nazi. It’s super sad. It sucks if that’s all he will be remembered for.

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35 points

He was drunk. And yet I’ve been pretty damn drunk and at no point did I ever give a Nazi salute.

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30 points
*
Deleted by creator
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1 point

His child died a couple years after all star. He tried to keep the music going, but it fucked him up badly.

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60 points

I had the Astro Lounge CD day of release and remember playing the whole album on repeat playing Ape Escape the summer of 99 as a 14yo. 24 years later and I wish I could inject that feeling into my veins somehow for even just 5 minutes. Maybe I should try meth? /s

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25 points

I think mdma will do it

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8 points

If anything can, it’s mdma

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2 points

Maybe don’t inject it into your veins, though?

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1 point

Yeah, no reason to jump to meth or fent.

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10 points

Fentanyl is far cheaper and comes in pill form!

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5 points

Smart, convenient!

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7 points
*

Probably heroin…/s

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2 points

I’m so Diggin’ Your [previous] Scene

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59 points

Damn I just heard he was sick last night.

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41 points

Same. They kept it extremely quiet. The band is now touring with a new vocalist and honestly the new song they put out is alright. Nothing earthshattering but it’s an alright song.

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14 points

Damn, they moved on quick

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19 points

I think he retired a while ago after that fiasco with the Nazi salute

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11 points

The band probably knew more about it than the general public did.

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6 points

I think the writing’s been on the wall for a bit

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4 points

He doesn’t seem to have been doing well for years. Just in general.

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44 points

All-Star brought attention to Mystery Men, which is a criminally underrated movie. So, that’s another reason to like that song.

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13 points

Finally someone who knows what’s up with mystery men. Every single actor in that movie is a star.

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12 points

Also sad about Paul Reubens. He was perfect for the Spleen.

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4 points

Don’t forget Shrek

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1 point

This is egg salad. It’s loaded with cholesterol, the wife won’t even let me touch it. It hardly seems to matter now 'cause, chances are, we’re already dead. Amazing is gone, there’s no use waiting for the cavalry, because as of this moment, the cavalry is us! So what do you say? Do we all gather together, and go kick some Casanova butt? Or do I eat this sandwich?

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