Original Smash Mouth frontman Steve Howell has died of acute liver failure at the age of 56. He passed away Monday morning, September 4, surrounded by family and friends at his home in Boise, Idaho.
Born in California, he founded Smash Mouth in 1994 and the band grew more popular when “All Star” and their cover of The Monkees’ “I’m a Believer” were featured in the 2001 film, Shrek. “All Star” was also on the band’s 3x Platinum, Grammy nominated sophomore album, Astro Lounge.
Smash Mouth went on to release four more studio albums with Harwell: 2003’s Get the Picture?; 2005’s The Gift of Rock; 2006’s Summer Girl; and 2012’s Magic.
Over the weekend, a manager for the band announced that he had entered at-home hospice care.
Harwell had struggled with alcohol and substance abuse throughout his life, which TMZ says is a contributing factor to his declining health.
In late 2021, Harwell retired from performing after a video went viral of him slurring words, yelling at the audience, and being completely disassociated with a performance in upstate New York. At the time, it was reported that Harwell had been suffering from heart disease cardiomyopathy.
Gary Wright, the musician best known for his 1970’s hits such as “Love Is Alive“ and “Dream Weaver” has died at the age of 80.
His son Justin Wright told TMZ that he died on Monday morning at his home in California. The singer–songwriter had been battling Parkinson's disease for five to six years and more recently had developed Lewy body dementia.
He joined the band Spooky Tooth in the late 60’s, played keyboards on George Harrison’s album, All Things Must Pass and had a successful solo career in the 70’s.
He played keyboards on lots of famous studio recordings by artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Ringo Starr, B.B. King, Harry Nilsson, and Ronnie Spector.
His 1976 hit, “Dream Weaver” got a resurgence in 1992, when it was added to the movie Wayne’s World.
He is survived by two adult sons, Justin and Dorian. And his wife Rose, who he’s been married to since 1985.
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