Steve Harwell left his beloved band Smash Mouth nearly two years before his death.
The Smash Mouth frontman, who died of liver failure at the age of 56, savored fame and success after launching the band in 1994 with Kevin Coleman, Paul De Lisle and Greg Camp. He stayed with them for nearly 27 years until he left them in 2021.
Why Did Steve Harwell Leave Smash Mouth?
During the same year, Smash Mouth attended the Big Sip beer festival in Bethel, New York, after which he was condemned because of his behavior. A video on TikTok went viral as it showed Harwell drinking while performing and putting his middle fingers up while cursing and threatening the audience members.
He also slurred his speech throughout the performance, sparking concerns about his deteriorating health.
After the incident, the frontman confirmed in a statement that he would be leaving Smash Mouth, although he cited health issues as the reason behind his decision.
He said. "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."
Fans initially thought that his chaotic gig that involved profanity and a Nazi salute led him to exit the group, but his health soon deteriorated years after he was diagnosed with multiple health problems.
Read also: Steve Harwell's Health Issues: Illnesses Former Smash Mouth Frontman Suffered From Before Death
Steve Harwell Struggled With Alcoholism Before Death
Harwell's struggles because of alcoholism soon led him to suffer different health issues.
His doctors diagnosed him with cardiomyopathy in 2016, and he was hospitalized a year later before Smash Mouth's supposed concert.
The singer was also diagnosed with the neurological disorder Wernicke encephalopathy, which is caused by a deficiency in thiamine.
His alcohol consumption reportedly triggered both diagnoses, and his habit eventually targeted his liver until he reached the final stages of organ failure.
His representative said he was admitted to hospice care with "only days or so left to live." However, Harwell ultimately passed after the announcement was sent to Entertainment Weekly.
"Burning brightly across the universe before burning out. Good night Heevo Veev," Smash Mouth paid tribute to him on Instagram. "Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target."
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