Steve Harwell, the lead singer of Smash Mouth, died at the age of 56 from acute liver failure. He passed away peacefully at his home in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by family and friends

. Harwell had struggled with various health issues over the years, including alcoholism, cardiomyopathy (a heart condition), and a neurological disorder affecting his speech and memory. His health problems contributed to his retirement from the band in 2021 after a performance where he appeared intoxicated and disoriented

. Acute liver failure is a rare but life-threatening condition where the liver rapidly loses its ability to function. It can be caused by factors such as medication overdose, viral infections, or chronic alcohol abuse, the latter being relevant given Harwell's history of alcoholism

. Despite treatment options, liver failure can be fatal, and Harwell was in hospice care before his death