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.

• The importance of family and social support cannot be overstated, as they play an essential role in creating a conducive environment for recovery.
• Liver failure, the loss of liver function, is rare and kills approximately 50,000 adults in the US per year.
• For people with liver failure due to alcohol addiction, treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as abstaining from alcohol, rehab or therapy to address the factors driving someone to drink.

Former Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell died Monday at age 56 from acute liver failure. The artist, whose band is best known for the 1999 hit “All Star,” had been in hospice care, according to representative Robert Hayes. Harwell entered hospice care with only days to live as his liver failure was in the final stages.

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.

The Tragic Reality of Alcoholism

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 of Smash Mouth that sadly passed away at the age of 56.

Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell dead at 56 after suffering liver failure

In 2017, he was rushed to a hospital before a Smash Mouth concert as he started to have trouble breathing. According to a news outlet, he hailed an Uber at that time and got himself to the hospital. Overall, Steve Harwell has contributed heavily to rock and pop music culture thanks to his numerous hits over the years. His most famous relationship was with his ex-wife Michelle Laroque, but the relationship ended decades ago, soon after the death of their infant son.

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 did steve harwell drink 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.

Alcohol-related liver disease

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.

• The Grammy-nominated band, which formed in 1994 in San Jose, Calif., and scored hits like “Walkin’ on the Sun” and “All Star,” had to postpone several shows in 2017 as Harwell underwent heart treatment.
• His openness about his struggles helped break down stigmas and barriers, fostering greater understanding and empathy within the music community.
• Steve Harwell was not married when he died, and although the singer dated prolifically over the years, most of his relationships ended in failure due to his alcohol problems.
• Upon his retirement, the singer said he “dreamed of being a rock star” since he was a kid and thanked his bandmates.

How Did Steve Harwell Die? Smash Mouth Singer Dead at 56

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.

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.

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.

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.

Loved ones can provide emotional support, set healthy boundaries, and educate themselves about addiction to better support their loved one’s recovery journey. Steve Harwell manages his public image with grace and authenticity, openly addressing his struggles with addiction and advocating for greater awareness and support. His willingness to confront his demons publicly has earned him respect and admiration, fostering empathy and understanding within the music community. If alcohol abuse is a recurring problem for you or someone you love, it may be time to contact a treatment provider.

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.

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.