C.J. Snare, the lead singer of the pop-steel band FireHouse, died on Friday from cardiac arrest. He was 64.
“Today is a sad working day for Rock N Roll,” the band posted on its Facebook website page. “It is with great sorrow we are letting the entire world know we have missing our brother: CJ Snare, the rock and roll warrior, lead vocalist, and a founding member of Firehouse…As you are all aware, CJ was envisioned to be back on phase with the band this summer season soon after recovering from surgical procedure. We are all in finish shock with CJ’s untimely passing.”
Snare’s bombastic vocal work and keyboard preparations aided make FireHouse singles like “Don’t Handle Me Terrible,” “Reach For the Sky” and “Love of a Lifetime” staples of the early ’90s hair-metallic scene. Snare co-established the team in 1987 in Charlotte, N.C., and its 1990 self-titled debut LP went double-platinum.
While the band’s recognition waxed and waned in impact as hair-metallic turned to grunge in the ’90s, the team taken care of a international fanbase and were being primarily popular in Asia, and ongoing to tour headline dates and difficult rock festivals. Its most the latest album, 2011’s “Full Circle,” highlighted re-recordings of previous materials.
In September, Snare declared that he was taking a quick go away from the band to get well from belly surgical treatment. Very last thirty day period, Snare wrote that, submit-surgical procedure, he was “Feeling More powerful Each day ! I’ll be back on phase with FireHouse before you know it. Wellness is initial so making a Entire restoration ❤️🩹 ahead of my return.”
“CJ was arguably a single of the finest vocal talents of a technology, touring the globe with Firehouse non cease the previous 34 years,” the band’s assertion continued. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the whole Snare family, Katherine Very little, pals, and all our beloved lovers all about the globe. ‘Reach for the Sky’ CJ! You will be permanently skipped by loved ones, pals, lovers and your band mates. You’re singing with the angels now.”