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
This is so sad. My condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
I loved the music from Firehouse. When I hear it today, it takes me back to an awesome era and much happier times.
R.I.P.
Very sad! I lost my Father to stage 4 colon cancer back in 2010. He was only 61 but never did the screenings/colonoscopies. I’m not sure if Snare did or not but still awful and sad. I recently listened to the Firehouse debut for the first time in honestly 30 years!! It’s the original cd from when it was first released and still looks brand new (I take good care of my cd’s and vinyl)! I had forgotten how great of a record it was & encourage all of you to give it a listen as it has aged well! It’d be nice if they released a remastered vinyl version of it in C.J.’s memory. Rest in peace C.J. and everyone else make sure you get your colonoscopies regularly especially if you have family history. It is one of the cancers that can be prevented if you do the testing.
RPS,
I am SO overdue, but I don’t want to deal with the prep, it is awful. I did Cologuard, which I know is only 90%. I will eventually have a colonoscopy, but right now, I have other stuff that is LONG overdue, like a mammography.
As for FireHouse, yes, they were good. Sad.
Sorry to hear of your father RPS – but your advice is sound – when you get to a certain age, do setup an appt to have the colon looked at and repeat every 3x-5x years.
Regular exercise and a diet of fruits and veggies helps.
Good luck everyone adnd RIP – CJ
Dana –
Tle colon prep is not too bad – You basically live on the toilet for a few hours. 🙂
As for the mammogram – that too needs to be scheduled. I have many friends and family who are still with us with having the procedure and caught things early.
Isn’t growing up, just swell?
genesraccoonwig
I disagree, the prep is AWFUL. I had a colonoscopy in my early 20s, and that is why I have been turned off, to a repeat performance. Additionally, I know someone who almost bled out, because an artery was nicked, while biopsies were being taken. As I have aged, I have really come to distrust the medical community.
Finally, I do agree with you, AGING SUCKS!
I was saddened to hear of his passing. I remember the world premiere of Don’t Treat Me Bad on ZRock like it was yesterday. They had a good crisp sound to them and the music still sounds fresh and has aged well. His music will live on. That’s one thing about art. If you do it well it will outlast you and be discovered by multiple generations after you pass. Not how much $$$ you have. Hear that Gene?
Man, this one hit hard. CJ just has one of those voices you want to listen to all of the time. The only time I saw them was at Starlake Ampitheater in Burgettstown, PA in ’91. They opened with Damn Yankees and Poison. They were going to be playing at Jergel’s in Pittsburgh next month and I was ready to relive my youth all over again. Rest In Peace CJ!
Firehouse was another underrated band, and they were NOT a “hair band” (whatever the hell that means) Makes me laugh when people only think of them for their power ballads, listen to “Helpless,” “Overnight Sensation,” “Shake & Tumble,” “Lover’s Lane,” “You’re Too Bad,” “Reach For The Sky,” etc., loved this band! RIP C.J.