Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell reportedly entered hospice care over the weekend after the final stages of liver failure associated with an addiction to alcohol.
According to sources, this could mean Harwell only has a week to live.
The singer had long battled with alcohol addiction, leading to several medical problems in his later years. He collapsed at a show in 2016 and had to seek medical care for a heart condition in 2017.
But it wasn't until 2021 that he had to step away from the stage for good. During a performance that year, Harwell cursed out audience members and slurred his words. Afterward, he made the decision to officially retire from the group.
“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,” he said in a statement. “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.”
Smash Mouth officially formed in 1994 and frequently contributed to the soundtracks of popular films such as Shrek and Rat Race. They were most known for their hit single "All Star," which remains widely popular.
Harwell had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy a decade before, which impairs the heart's ability to pump efficiently. But the singer reportedly also suffered other medical issues, including acute Wernicke's encephalopathy, which impacts motor functions such as his speech and memory.
At this time, it is unclear if Harwell has any final wishes or if his family has released any statements. However, his manager says that the singer's condition is not improving and that it is too late for medical interventions.
Harwell's friends and family have been visiting him to say their goodbyes, although the singer himself has not yet made any statement. It is a heartbreaking end to the career of a star who lit up many lives with his music, although it is a reminder of the devastating impacts of addiction. For now, all that can be done is to remember Steve Harwell's many wonderful contributions to music and to respect his memory.