“A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle.” Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell died Monday at his home in Boise, Idaho. In many cases, though, a liver transplant is the only effective option. 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.
This is when a portion of a healthy liver is taken from a living donor and transplanted into an individual who has liver failure, replacing their damaged organ and growing to a fully functioning liver. For people with liver failure due to alcohol addiction, treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as abstaining from alcohol, rehab or therapy to address the factors driving someone to drink. Below, DailyMail.com explains what liver failure is and how the condition can lead to death. Liver failure, the loss of liver function, is rare and kills approximately 50,000 adults in the US per year. An estimated 5.5million are thought to have cirrhosis, or severe scarring of the liver often caused by alcoholism, which can lead to liver failure.
- For instance, although chronic alcohol consumption doesn’t directly cause acute liver failure, it “decreases the threshold to develop drug-induced liver injury,” Lucero says.
- Both conditions can be caused by alcohol abuse, which damages the organ and leads it to replace healthy cells with scar tissue — impairing its function.
- Steve Harwell, the longtime frontman of the Grammy-nominated pop rock band Smash Mouth has died.
Singer known for playful alt-rock voice and persona was in hospice care for acute liver failure
In August 2016, he collapsed onstage during a performance in Urbana, Illinois. A year later, Smash Mouth postponed several shows due to Harwell’s ongoing treatment for his heart-related health conditions. In 2013, he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a cardiac ailment characterized by the enlargement and weakening of the heart muscle, as well as a severe neurological condition known as Wernicke encephalopathy.
Liver failure is when the vital organ is no longer able to carry out its critical functions. It is diagnosed via blood tests, which can reveal whether the organ is working properly. Steve Harwell, the ex-frontman for the band Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56 years old. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges.
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Harwell had a history of serious health complications including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and Wernicke’s encephalopathy, according to TMZ. “Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out,” Hayes added. However, Harwell has suffered through several health issues in recent years. “Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of harwell cause of death being a Rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream,” Harwell had told People magazine. “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 Harwell of Smash Mouth
But many transplant centers will refuse the operation to people who are currently active substance abusers or alcoholics. In other cases, a whole liver may be taken from a deceased donor and transplanted into a patient. Born in California in 1967, Harwell performed in a rap group called F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech) before forming Smash Mouth in 1994. The band released two two platinum albums on Interscope Records, the ska-fuelled 1997’s Fush Yu Mang and 1999’s Astro Lounge. She has covered weather, and major breaking news events in South Florida. Anna joined Newsweek in 2022 from The National Desk in Washington, D.C.
Personal life
“It’s a cascade of events that pretty rapidly can lead to multi-organ dysfunction, and ultimately, that’s what people pass away from.” “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,” Harwell told TMZ at the time. 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.
Acute liver disease, however, is rare, with about 2,000 people diagnosed with the disease every year. Acute liver failure is when the organ rapidly loses its ability to function, typically over a period of days to weeks. It has also been reported that Harwell had been suffering from liver failure following a life-long battle with alcohol abuse and addiction. “In better days, Steve was a force of a frontman & lived the life of 50 men,” Daly wrote.
In addition to battling several medical conditions, Harwell also struggled with substance abuse. He was survived by his wife, Michelle Laroque, and preceded in death by his son, Presley Harwell, who died in July 2001, just seven months after being born. Steven Scott Harwell was best known for his career as a rock musician.
- Although it can sometimes be reversed with treatment, in many situations it requires a liver transplant.
- The cause of death was acute liver failure, Hayes said in a statement.
- Acute liver disease, however, is rare, with about 2,000 people diagnosed with the disease every year.
Harwell later developed Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a sudden brain and memory disorder that’s caused by a lack of vitamin B1, which causes brain damage, the Cleveland Clinic explains. People with a history of alcohol use disorder are more likely to develop the condition. 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. Doctors say liver damage can be treated in the early stages — and may even be reversible — by tackling the root cause. These can overwhelm the liver with toxic substances causing it to shut down.
“Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out.” Harwell retired from Smash Mouth in 2021, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode. Smash Mouth has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and had No. 1 hit singles, five Top 40 singles and a Grammy nomination. Former Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell died early Monday at his home in Boise, Idaho, a representative confirmed to CBS News. He and the band, including Greg Camp on guitar, Paul De Lisle on bass and Kevin Coleman on drums, shot to fame with hits such the 1997’s “Walking on the Sun” and “All Star” from the 1999 album Astro Lounge.
Harwell was reportedly in hospice care the weekend before his death, Hayes had told the Washington Post, and was in the final stages of liver failure. The second album featured some of the band’s biggest hits, including the Grammy-nominated, platinum single All Star, which appeared in the animated movie Shrek along with their cover of the Monkees’ song I’m a Believer. Hayes called Harwell a “true American original,” and said he should be remembered for his unwavering focus and determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. The fact that Harwell did that with limited musical experience, he said, makes his achievements all the more remarkable. “To our loyal and amazing fans, thank you, all of this was possible because of you,” he continued. “I’ve tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues, and to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn’t able to.”
Two years before Harwell’s death, he appeared to be disoriented during a live performance with the band. Harwell’s death was first confirmed by his manager on September 4, 2023. The band, which is still active to this day, is best known for the songs All Star and I’m a Believer, which were both featured in Shrek. Harwell was an American musician who was best known as the lead vocalist and frontman of the band Smash Mouth. Steve Harwell sadly died earlier this week and now his manager has disclosed his apparent cause of death.
He said Harwell was “surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably.” With chronic liver disease, people may lose their liver function slowly, often over a period of many years — even decades, Kushner explains. Chronic liver failure, also called decompensated liver disease, can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea and loss of appetite, the Cleveland Clinic says. Over time, the symptoms may become more severe as the disease advances.
In some cases, treatments can prevent further complications or help reverse acute liver failure by giving the liver time to heal, the Mayo Clinic says. For instance, although chronic alcohol consumption doesn’t directly cause acute liver failure, it “decreases the threshold to develop drug-induced liver injury,” Lucero says. Then, during a 2021 show, Harwell was filmed yelling obscenities at the crowd and slurring his speech.