What was Steve Harwell's Net Worth?
Steve Harwell was an American musician who had a net worth of $2.5 million at the time of his death. Steve Harwell was best known for being a founder and lead singer of the band Smash Mouth. Smash Mouth was one of the most popular bands of the 1990s. The group sold 10 million albums, had two #1 hit singles and five Top 40 singles. Their songs have been used in countless movies and television shows, most notably the "Shrek" franchise. Steve and bassist Paul De Lisle have remained with the band since its founding in 1994. They are the only remaining original band members.
Smash Mouth's biggest singles include "All Star," "I'm a Believer," "Walkin' on the Sun" and "Why Can't We Be Friends."
Over the years, the band has also adopted retro styles covering several decades of popular music. They are also known for performing countless covers of popular songs like "I'm a Believer" (The Monkees), "Why Can't We Be Friends?" (War), "Don't You Forget About Me" (Simple Minds), "Can't Get Enough of You Baby" (Question Mark & the Mysterians's), "Getting Better" (The Beatles) and "I Wan'na Be Like You" (Disney).
In October 2021 Harwell announced he was retiring from performing publicly. In September 2023 it was revealed by his manager that Harwell was in hospice with only a "short time left." He had been apparently suffering from liver failure. Unfortunately he died on September 4, 2023. Steve was 56.
Early Life
Harwell was born on January 9, 1967, in Santa Clara, California. He attended Prospect High School in Saratoga, California.
Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth's roots can be traced back to the early 1990s, when Harwell and Camp met while playing in a local band called Fush Yu Mang. The two musicians quickly bonded over their shared love of classic rock and pop music. In 1994, they recruited De Lisle and Coleman to join their new band, Smash Mouth.
The band's early years were spent playing in local clubs and bars in the San Francisco Bay Area. They quickly developed a reputation for their energetic live shows and their eclectic mix of musical styles. In 1997, Smash Mouth released their debut album, Fush Yu Mang. The album was a moderate success, spawning the hit singles "Walkin' on the Sun" and "Can't Get Enough of You Baby."
Rise to Fame
Smash Mouth's big break came in 1999 with the release of their second album, Astro Lounge. The album was a massive commercial success, reaching number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 6 million copies in the United States. The album spawned several hit singles, including "All Star," "Then the Morning Comes," and "Can't Get Enough of You Baby."
Smash Mouth's success continued with the release of their third album, Smash Mouth (2001). The album was another commercial success, reaching number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 3 million copies in the United States. The album spawned the hit singles "I'm a Believer" and "Pacific Coast Party."
Later Years
After the release of Smash Mouth, the band's popularity began to decline. Their subsequent albums, Get the Picture? (2003), The Gift of Rock (2005), Summer Girl (2006), and Magic (2012), were all commercial failures. However, the band has continued to tour and release new music on a regular basis.
In 2021, Harwell left the band after making controversial statements about the COVID-19 pandemic. The remaining members of Smash Mouth have continued to tour and perform with a new lead vocalist.
Discography
- Fush Yu Mang (1997)
- Astro Lounge (1999)
- Smash Mouth (2001)
- Get the Picture? (2003)
- The Gift of Rock (2005)
- Summer Girl (2006)
- Magic (2012)
Biggest Singles
- "Walkin' on the Sun" (1997)
- "All Star" (1999)
- "Then the Morning Comes" (1999)
- "I'm a Believer" (2001)
- "Pacific Coast Party" (2001)
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Other Work
Aside from his work with the band, Harwell enjoyed a different kind of fame after he was cast in the sixth season of VH1's reality show The Surreal Life. Featuring celebs who are said to have been past their primes, the show put the competitors in a Hollywood Hills mansion for two weeks following their every move with an unforgiving camera.
Personal Life and Real Estate
In 1999, Steve paid $600,000 for a home in Henderson, Nevada. He sold this home in 2009 for $800,000. Upon selling this home he moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career in country music. He ultimately settled in Boise, Idaho.
Steve Harwell died on September 3, 2023 at the age of 56 at his home in Boise.
