C. J. Snare, FireHouse singer and founding member, dies at 64

Justyn Melrose
·2 min read
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WGHP) — C.J. Snare, one of the founders of the rock band FireHouse, has died, according to the band.

On Monday, FireHouse announced on X that Snare, born Carl Jeffrey Snare, “passed unexpectedly at home Friday night.” He was 64.

“Today is a sad day for Rock N Roll,” the band said. “It is with great sorrow we are letting the world know we have lost our brother.” The band said their longtime frontman “was arguably one of the best vocal talents of a generation, touring the world with FireHouse non stop the past 34 years.”

  • SURABAYA, INDONESIA – OCTOBER 17: C.J. Snare of American heavy metal band FireHouse performs on October 17, 2013 in Surabaya, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)
    SURABAYA, INDONESIA – OCTOBER 17: C.J. Snare of American heavy metal band FireHouse performs on October 17, 2013 in Surabaya, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)
  • SURABAYA, INDONESIA – OCTOBER 17: C.J. Snare of American heavy metal band FireHouse performs on October 17, 2013 in Surabaya, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)
    SURABAYA, INDONESIA – OCTOBER 17: C.J. Snare of American heavy metal band FireHouse performs on October 17, 2013 in Surabaya, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)
  • POMPANO, FL – JULY 7: Vocalist CJ Snare of Firehouse performs during the “Rock Never Stops” Tour at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater on July 7, 2005 in Pompano, Florida. (Photo by Ralph Notaro/Getty Images)
    POMPANO, FL – JULY 7: Vocalist CJ Snare of Firehouse performs during the “Rock Never Stops” Tour at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater on July 7, 2005 in Pompano, Florida. (Photo by Ralph Notaro/Getty Images)
  • American singer CJ Snare, of the rock group FireHouse, performs on stage at the UIC Pavillion, Chicago, Illinois, February 26, 1992. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
    American singer CJ Snare, of the rock group FireHouse, performs on stage at the UIC Pavillion, Chicago, Illinois, February 26, 1992. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
  • American singer CJ Snare, of the rock group FireHouse, performs on stage at the UIC Pavillion, Chicago, Illinois, February 26, 1992. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
    American singer CJ Snare, of the rock group FireHouse, performs on stage at the UIC Pavillion, Chicago, Illinois, February 26, 1992. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

FireHouse got its start in Richmond, Virginia, before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. The band was signed to Epic Records in 1989.

The band is probably best known for its power ballad “Love of a Lifetime,” released in 1990. Other hits include “When I Look Into Your Eyes,” “I Live My Life for You,” “Don’t Treat Me Bad” and “Here for You.”

FireHouse’s last album, “Prime Time,” was released in 2003, and a remastered version of their debut album was released in 2024.

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The band said on X that Snare had been expected to return to the stage with them this summer after recovering from surgery. According to Rolling Stone, Snare had undergone abdominal surgery six months ago.

Snare had said on Instagram in late March that he was feeling “stronger” every day.

“I’ll be back on stage with FireHouse before you know it,” he wrote in the March 27 post. “Health is first so making a FULL recovery.”

No cause of death was given, but Snare’s passing appeared to come as a surprise to his bandmates.

“We are all in complete shock with CJ’s untimely passing,” the band wrote.

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