Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell has decide to retire after an incredibly chaotic weekend concert in New York during which he slurred his speech, threatened to kill a fan's family and even appeared to give a Nazi salute.
On Oct. 12, the singer told TMZ that his health issues have become too hard to overcome. Although he had been planning on taking a hiatus, he's now pulled the plug.
Steve had fronted the band since its inception in 1994.
"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," 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."
Steve, 54, continued, "To our loyal and amazing fans, thank you, all of this was possible because of you. 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."
Steve's health issues first came to light last year year when his ex-fiancée slapped him with a restraining order and claimed he was bipolar in court documents — something he had never publicly addressed. TMZ reported on Tuesday that Steve was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy eight years ago, which led to other medical setbacks like heart failure and Wernicke's encephalopathy, a condition that affects motor functions. In the aforementioned court documents, his ex claimed Steve also when to rehab for substance abuse issues.
A viral recording of the concert — which went down at a beer and wine festival — clearly showed him drinking, dissociated and seemingly unaware of his surroundings at times.
Steve said he was grateful for the decades of success and to "those who have kept 'All Star' relevant as one of the top memes on the internet today."
"I cannot wait to see what Smash Mouth accomplishes next," he continued, "and am looking forward to counting myself as one of the band's newest fans."