C.J. Snare, founding singer of the long-running hair metal band FireHouse, has died at the age of 64.
The group — which scored Hot 100 hits in the early Nineties with the singles “Love of a Lifetime” and “When I Look Into Your Eyes” — revealed Snare’s death Sunday on social media.
“Today is a sad day for Rock N Roll,” the surviving members wrote. “It is with great sorrow we are letting the world know we have lost our brother: CJ Snare, the rock and roll warrior, lead vocalist, and a founding member of Firehouse. CJ snare passed unexpectedly at home Friday night, April 5, 2024. He was a young 64 years old.”
No cause of death was provided, but Snare’s death came six months after Snare revealed he would undergo abdominal surgery; the band initially postponed their gigs but recruited a fill-in singer while Snare recovered.
Just a week ago, Snare hinted that he would soon return to the stage, writing on social media, “Feeling Stronger Everyday ! I’ll be back on stage with FireHouse before you know it. Health is first so making a FULL recovery before my return.”
“As you are all aware, CJ was expected to be back on stage with the band this summer after recovering from surgery,” FireHouse added in their statement. “We are all in complete shock with CJ’s untimely passing. CJ was was arguably one of the best vocal talents of a generation, touring the world with Firehouse non stop the past 34 years.”
Founded in the mid-Eighties, FireHouse stormed the charts in 1990 with their debut self-titled album, which boasted a pair of singles that became hair metal anthems, “Don’t Treat Me Bad” and “Love of a Lifetime,” both co-written by Snare; the former single enjoyed a resurgence in recent years when it was featured in the John Cena-starring superhero show Peacemaker, while the latter power ballad has accumulated over 88 million views on YouTube.
Although the band’s second album — 1992’s Hold Your Fire — arrived amid the outbreak of grunge and alternative rock, FireHouse remained relevant while many of their brethren washed out, placing a pair of singles onto the Hot 100 with the LP’s “Reach for the Sky” and “When I Look Into Your Eyes,” which peaked at Number 8 to become their biggest hit charts-wise.
While FireHouse did not release an album of new music following 2003’s Prime Time, the band remained active up through Snare’s surgery. “‘Reach for the Sky’ CJ! You will be forever missed by family, friends, fans and your band mates,” Snare’s band mates added. “You’re singing with the angels now.”