Steve Harwell, lead singer of beloved band Smash Mouth, is seriously ill and could pass away within days if a recent update is to be believed.
According to tragic reports, the singer’s manager told TMZ that Harwell is now in hospice care. His friends and family are said to have been visiting him over the last few days in order to say their final farewells.
As per TMZ, the singer, 56, is living in “the final stage of liver failure” – his manager claims he may have as little as a week left to live.
Fans of Smash Mouth – perhaps best known for their mega-hit All Star – had to say their own goodbyes to Harwell two years ago, when he stepped away from the band to focus on his failing health.
The 56-year-old had been undergoing treatment for his liver problem in hospital, though it’s said he’s now been moved into hospice care.
In 2021, the singer was seen slurring his words and making “crude” gestures at the crowd while on stage at the Big Sip festival in upstate New York.
After that incident, a representative of Harwell revealed that the singer was stepping away from his duties with Smash Mouth.
“As of today, Steve will be retiring from Smash Mouth to focus on his physical and mental health,” the rep said.
“Despite Steve’s best efforts to work through these ailments, he is heartbroken to share that it has become impossible for him to continue doing what he loves most, performing in front of the band’s millions of fans around the world.”
The singer himself gave an emotional statement to TMZ at the time that read:
“Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream.
“To my bandmates, it’s been an honor performing with you all these years and I can’t think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with.
“To our loyal and amazing fans, thank you, all of this was possible because of you. I’ve tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues and to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn’t able to.
“I am so grateful to each and every one of you who has helped Smash Mouth sell over 10 million albums worldwide, put us on top of radio charts and those who have kept ‘All Star’ relevant as one of the top memes on the internet today.
“I cannot wait to see what Smash Mouth accomplishes next and am looking forward to counting myself as one of the band’s newest fans.”
Harwell, an original band member when Smash Mouth was formed in 1994, first began experiencing serious health problems almost ten years ago when diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a chronic disease of the heart muscle, and Wernick encephalopathy, which can affect motor functions.
All our prayers are with Steve Harwell and his family at this incredibly difficult time.
Join us in sending well wishes where they are needed.
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