Steve Harwell Dead At 56 From Liver Failure

steve harwell cause of death drinking

Smash Mouth’s long-time manager Robert Hayes confirmed to US media on 3 September that the singer did not have long to live, and was being cared for by his fiancée and hospice care. The band’s manager had earlier said Harwell was in the final stages of liver failure and was receiving end of life care at his home. Both conditions are said to have negatively affected Harwell over the years and are thought to have contributed to him suffering from late-stage liver https://sober-home.org/ failure, his ultimate cause of death, according to USA Today. «Limiting things like added sugars, salt, saturated fat, and alcohol can all help reduce your risk of liver disease and liver damage,» she added. Researchers have labeled the rise of chronic liver disease in Canada a «silent epidemic.» As the news of Steve Harwell’s passing from acute liver failure makes headlines, the disease is top-of-mind for Canadian experts who want to raise awareness.

Steve Harwell Cause Of Death: Drinking Leading To Liver Failure

  1. Born in California in 1967, Harwell started his musical career in the rap group, F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech), who based their sound on the sample-heavy beats of Chuck D and Public Enemy.
  2. Fans were shocked by the news of Harwell entering hospice care and his subsequent passing, though Harwell had a history of ongoing health problems, particularly during the last decade of his life.
  3. Some medical institutions even require a time period someone needs to be sober for before being eligible to be placed on the transplant waiting list.
  4. «Steve Harwell was a true American Original,» the band wrote in a tribute posted on Instagram following his death.
  5. Liver disease is on the rise in North America, and is a growing cause of death in Canadians.
  6. As they face the profound loss, they are united in their memories of a beloved father, partner, and friend.

«All Star» appeared in the 2001 animated movie Shrek, as did the band’s cover version of the Monkees’ classic «I’m a Believer.» Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell died Monday at his home in Boise, Idaho. «Liver failure does not necessarily have to be a death sentence,» Kushner says. But, she continues, «it’s not that anyone who wants a liver transplant just walks in and gets one.» There’s a waitlist for transplants and «very stringent criteria to determine who can qualify for a liver transplant,» Kushner says.

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Several conditions are also risk factors for acute liver failure, Johns Hopkins adds, including hepatitis, Wilson’s disease, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and herpes simplex virus. Alcohol also plays a role in the health of your liver, though it is more directly a cause of chronic liver failure, which is more common and develops over a longer period. The «All Star» singer, who retired from the band two years ago, died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, Hayes said. If someone gets diagnosed with acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure, «there is an antidote to give,» Lucero says. «And if it’s given early enough, it can help avoid the need for a liver transplant.» Patients may also receive a special form of continual dialysis, which can help decrease the amount of ammonia in their body, she adds.

steve harwell cause of death drinking

Smash Mouth Lead Singer Passes After Hospice Care

«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.» “Steve’s iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices from his generation. Smash Mouth paid tribute to their former bandmate via an Instagram post shortly after his death. After a disastrous performance at a festival in upstate New York, Harwell had announced in 2021 that he would be retiring from the band. The rep had warned that Harwell had “only a week or so to live” and that friends and family had gathered to visit him over the past few days. In October 2021, Harwell announced his retirement from the band following a fumbled performance at a beer and wine festival.

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Steve Harwell, the lead singer of US band Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56. There can be multiple causes of acute liver failure, including an overdose of a common medicine. Harwell left Smash Mouth in October 2021 to «focus on his physical and mental health,» his representative told People at the time. This https://sober-home.org/natural-products-for-the-prevention-and-treatment/ 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. Regularly drinking a lot of alcohol eventually causes the liver to start replacing healthy cells with scar tissue — impairing the organ’s ability to function.

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Harwell «suffered numerous symptoms» from his medical condition during his performance in 2021, according to his rep. Following the performance, his reps at the time said in a news release that the video had «been taken out of context» to misrepresent the singer. In a statement to USA TODAY, Harwell’s reps then revealed that the frontman had been battling health issues for the past eight years stemming from his diagnosis with cardiomyopathy. TMZ, which was the first outlet to report the news, reported Harwell has «reached the final stage of liver failure» due to alcohol abuse throughout his life. Doctors are typically able to decide whether or not a patient is a transplant candidate — and, if so, get them listed for a transplant — within a day, Lucero says.

Born in California in 1967, Harwell started his musical career in the rap group, F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech), who based their sound on the sample-heavy beats of Chuck D and Public Enemy. Hayes added that «Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out». Sometimes a liver biopsy may be required to help determine the best course of treatment.

It is commonly diagnosed in people suffering from malnourishment due to alcohol misuse, with symptoms presenting as confusion, uncontrolled eye movement, and involuntary muscle movement. Harwell entered hospice care on Sunday and died on Monday, surrounded by his fiancée, friends, and family in his Boise, Idaho home. Acute liver failure refers to «a rapid progression of damage to the liver in a relatively short period of time,» Vijh explained. On Sunday, Hayes had said Harwell was «resting at home being cared for by his fiancée and hospice care» with only «a short time left to live.»

If you or a loved one suddenly develops a yellowing of the eyes or skin, tenderness in the abdomen or unusual changes in mental state, seek medical attention right away, the clinic advises. The band is most known for hits like «All Star» and their cover of The Monkees’ «I’m a Believer,» which can be heard in the «Shrek!» soundtrack. During Harwell’s tenure with Smash Mouth, the band sold over ten million albums worldwide, had two #1 hit singles and a Grammy nomination. Although the condition is «extremely rare,» Lucero says, it’s also always an emergency.

steve harwell cause of death drinking

According to Vijh, preventative measures for liver failure «are all things that people should be doing for their overall health too.» Additionally, he had been dealing with heart failure, as well as Wernicke encephalopathy, an acute neurological condition that affects the nervous system, according to the National Library of Medicine. 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. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out,” Hayes said, adding that the late singer had “irrepressible charm and charisma”.

His distinctive voice and memorable performances had left an indelible mark on the music industry. The band has continued to perform with new lead vocalist Zach Goode since Harwell retired abruptly in 2021. Doctors say liver damage can be treated in the early stages — and may even be reversible — by tackling the root cause. Acute liver failure can be caused by a sudden trigger that overloads an already damaged liver. Unfortunately, Harwell’s passing is a solemn reminder that anyone can be affected by alcohol addiction, no matter their level of success. It’s important to understand that addiction is a disease that requires treatment, and getting help is the first step towards recovery.

“Steve has been retired from Smash Mouth for two years now, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode. Beloved Brady Bunch mom Florence Henderson assisted the cast as the house therapist. Throughout the two weeks of filming, Harwell helped his fellow castmates through a music video shoot, and hosted and participated in a Battle of the Bands competition. “Today” host Carson Daly published a two-part statement on Instagram, detailing the first time he met Harwell in 1995, when he was a DJ on JOME in San Jose and Smash Mouth was a new band. Humor was a driving force behind Smash Mouth’s success, and at the forefront was Harwell’s playful alt-rock voice and persona.

In a new documentary series, award winning popstar Demi Lovato gives details on her addiction, overdose, and recovery. Enter your phone number below to receive a free and confidential call from a treatment provider. 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. Liver disease affects one in four Canadians (25 per cent), and was in the top 10 causes of deaths in Canada in 2022.

And in 2018 he became ill mid-show in Australia and had to leave the stage – the band carried on without him. Some critics wrote the band off as a one-hit wonder, but Smash Mouth proved them wrong with their second album Astro Lounge in 1999. Previously, she wrote for USA Today, where she was selected to help launch the newspaper’s wellness vertical. Best known for the 1999 hit «All Star,» Harwell’s «iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices from his generation. He loved the fans and loved to perform,» the statement said.

Harwell’s long-term alcohol misuse was something he hinted at when he retired from Smash Mouth in 2022. «It’s unfortunate to hear about Steve Harwell’s passing from liver failure,» said Vijh, adding this is an opportunity to raise awareness. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. “Even though Steve has not been with Smash Mouth for two years now, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode his legacy will live on through the music,” Hayes told PEOPLE on Sunday. Upon his retirement, the singer said he “dreamed of being a rock star” since he was a kid and thanked his bandmates.

Despite these challenges, he remained a prominent figure in the music industry. But many transplant centers will refuse the operation to people who are currently active substance abusers or alcoholics. This happens because the alcohol is broken down into acetalhyde, which is toxic to the organ. It can also cause fats to accumulate in the liver, triggering inflammation and further damaging cells. 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, the frontman of pop-rock band Smash Mouth – behind the megahit «All Star» – died on Monday morning at the age of 56. A source close to Harwell explained to PEOPLE in 2021 that the musician had «suffered profusely» with addiction over the years, which have led to some of his medical and mental health issues. TMZ reported that the singer had for years dealt with alcohol abuse and addiction issues. Steve Harwell, former lead vocalist of the rock band Smash Mouth, is in hospice care, USA TODAY has learned.