Steve Harwell

Steven Scott Harwell (born January 9, 1967) is a retired American singer and musician, 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.

Steve Harwell
Harwell performing with Smash Mouth in 2013
Harwell performing with Smash Mouth in 2013
Background information
Birth nameSteven Scott Harwell
Born (1967-01-09) January 9, 1967
Santa Clara, California, U.S.
OriginSan Jose, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • musician
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
Years active1988–2021
LabelsInterscope, Beautiful Bomb, Universal
Websitesmashmouth.com

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", which was popularized as an internet meme following the release of the 2001 movie Shrek.

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]

References
  1. Steve Harwell at AllMusic.com
  2. Steve Harwell at BuddyTV.com
  3. Steve Harwell at BBC.co.uk
  4. "Interview with Steve Harwell". Nyrock.com. November 1997. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014.
  5. "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.
  6. Wilkes, Neil (September 21, 2005). "New 'Surreal Life' cast named". Digital Spy. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  7. "Smash Mouth Singer Leaves Stage In An Ambulance, Band Plays "All Star" Without Him". August 28, 2016.
  8. Barton, Monika (October 12, 2021). "Smash Mouth singer accused of doing Nazi salute in shocking footage from 'chaotic' gig". Newshub.
  9. Brown, August (October 11, 2021). "Smash Mouth singer slurs words, curses fans at 'chaotic' live show". Los Angeles Times.
  10. Aswad, Jem (October 12, 2021). "Smash Mouth Singer Steve Harwell Retires After Disoriented New York Concert". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  11. "Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell retires after disoriented New York concert". NBC News. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  12. Adele Slaughter (July 22, 2002). "Smash Mouth fights childhood leukemia". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
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