FIREHOUSE SINGER C.J. SNARE PASSES AT AGE 64

C.J. Snare, the lead singer of the 80s hair metal band FireHouse — behind hits like Don’t Treat Me Bad and Love of a Lifetime — died unexpectedly Friday after suffering cardiac arrest. He was 64, as reported by the New York Post.

The band mourned Snare’s passing as a “sad day for Rock N Roll” in a statement on Facebook Sunday.

“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,” it read. “CJ Snare passed unexpectedly at home Friday night, April 5th. He was a young 64 years old.”

“As you are all aware, CJ was expected to be back on stage with the band this summer after recovering from surgery,” the statement read adding that everyone in the group was “in complete shock with CJ’s untimely passing.”

CJ was arguably one of the best vocal talents of a generation, touring the world with Firehouse nonstop the past 34 years,” the statement added. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the entire Snare family, Katherine Little, friends, and all our beloved fans all over the world.”

“‘Reach for the Sky’ CJ,” the post concluded referring to their 1992 song of the same name. “You will be forever missed by family, friends, fans and your bandmates. You’re singing with the angels now.” 

Several fans of the group also shared their shock over Snare’s sudden passing.

“A living legend. Loved your music, and so glad to have worked with you and met you,” one person commented on the Facebook post. “Your music and voice is my inspiration, my condolences and respect to the family, Rest well my friend. Your voice inspired generations!

“This is so sad. CJ was one of the most kind-hearted beautiful people I ever met. He was like family. A huge loss to the world, wrote a second person. 

“No words. This is so terrible and my heart goes out to his loved ones. He was a friend and a true talent,” a third person lamented.

The New York Post has reached out to Snare’s reps for comment.

Snare’s daughter, Heather, later told TMZ that her father had passed away after suffering cardiac arrest after a lengthy cancer battle. 

In addition to singing, the frontman — who helped form the group in 1987— also played keyboards on seven of the group’s albums including their debut LP which went double platinum in the United States.

Prior to his death, the singer posted a photo on Instagram announcing that he would be taking a brief hiatus from the band “until I have recovered from abdominal surgery…”

…In what would be his last social media post, Snare once again reiterated that he was feeling stronger and would be back on stage “before you know it.” 

Snare is currently survived by his three children.

[Dana’s note: EddieTrunk.com send our condolences, and in honor of Snare, I will embed one of my favorite FireHouse songs, which I was listening to, yesterday.]

14 Responses

  1. Dana and Gene’s Raccoon Wig, thank you! Listen to this! In the past two years, I’ve tried to have a colonoscopy 3 times! The first attempt I drank that nasty nasty bs and it never made me go!!! I’m not kidding I didn’t go until two days later. It gave me an awful headache and very bad nausea as well. The next attempt I tried pills. They did not work for either but at least I didn’t have any side effects. A few months ago I did the nasty liquid prep again. It finally worked. However, when they knocked me out they couldn’t do the procedure because I was not fully cleaned out. So I’m not sure what the issue is but I’m going to wait a bit and I guess try again. I do not trust the medical field anymore either! I’m almost to the point of just living my best life and when it’s my time it’s my time.

    1. RPS,

      You poor baby, I had issues with the prep, and the test, as well. Do Cologuard in the meantime, it is better than nothing, and it is easy peasy.

      Also, we are on the same page regarding the medical community, and I think that may now include dentists.

  2. Dana / RPS:

    Sorry you both have issues in this regard.
    Agree with Dana on the Cologuard – to at least get a baseline.

    Ok I am done with the Dr talk.

  3. I’ve been listening to Firehouse a lot lately. I love their first two albums! Great vocals and riffs. On the medical side of things, I had a colonoscopy 5 years ago. Yes, some prep work but well worth it. I know this procedure can be an uncomfortable subject for some, but it’s such an important procedure. Please be well everyone.

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