Several years ago, Harwell received a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, a condition that affects the heart muscle’s ability to efficiently pump blood to the rest of the body. Unfortunately, his health journey was marked by a series of serious medical setbacks, including heart failure and acute Wernicke Encephalopathy, which significantly impacted his motor skills, speech, and memory, as reported in 2021.
In October 2021, Harwell made the difficult decision to retire from the iconic group, Smash Mouth, due to his ongoing health challenges. You may also read Novak Djokovic’s Epic Comeback Stuns Fans at 2023 US Open.
In a heartfelt statement about his departure, he reflected on his lifelong dream of being a rock star and performing in front of sold-out arenas. He expressed deep gratitude to his bandmates for sharing this incredible journey with him.
Smash Mouth burst onto the music scene with their debut single, “Walkin’ on the Sun,” in 1997. Their infectious hit, “All Star,” climbed to the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1999. The band’s second album, “Astro Lounge,” which featured “All Star,” reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart that same year.
Notably, “All Star” received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 2000, although the award ultimately went to Santana for their hit “Maria Maria.” You should also check Jimmy Buffett, ‘Margaritaville’ singer, dead at 76.
Smash Mouth’s discography includes their most recent album, “Magic,” released in 2012. In 2018, they also treated fans to an acoustic version of their debut album, “Fush Yu Mang,” in celebration of its 20th anniversary. Despite the challenges they faced along the way, Smash Mouth’s music continues to resonate with fans around the world.
