FireHouse lead singer C.J. Snare dead at 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.

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 5, 2024. 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 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.”

The singer later posted an update in October stating that the surgery had been completed and he “miss all of you so very much.”

Later that month, he posted a video stating that he was feeling “stronger and better everyday” and that he couldn’t wait to rock out with his fans.

Earlier this year, Snare shared another update saying that he was still in recovery but was excited to return to the stage “later this year.”

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.