DPAO May 11 concert continuing despite death of FireHouse founder, lead singer

Chris Brock, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
·2 min read

Apr. 10—WATERTOWN — The concert by the bands FireHouse and Warrant on May 11 hosted by the Disabled Persons Action Organization will proceed despite the death on Friday of the founder and lead singer of FireHouse.

Carl "C.J." Snare, 64, died of cardiac arrest while fighting colon cancer.

On Wednesday morning FireHouse band members released a statement: "We were looking forward to C.J. rejoining the band after recovering from surgery last fall. Unfortunately, due to his untimely passing, that won't be possible. FireHouse will however still be performing with Warrant on Saturday, May 11 at the Municipal Arena in Watertown."

Nate Peck, 2023 American Idol Golden Ticket recipient from season 21, will be handling vocals. With C.J.'s blessing and full support, Peck has been singing with the band in C.J'.s absence over the past six months.

Snare founded FireHouse with other members in Richmond, Virginia. The 1990 debut album of the "glam metal" band featured the top 20 hit, "Don't Treat Me Bad." the band is estimated to have sold over 7 million albums worldwide since its debut. The band's commercial success has produced gold, platinum, and multi-platinum records in the United States and abroad. At the 1991 American Music Awards, Firehouse accepted the Best New Hard Rock/Metal Band award, chosen over Nirvana and Alice in Chains. Over their next few albums, the songs "When I Look into Your Eyes," "I Live My Life for You," "You Are My Religion" and "Here for You" are most notable.

"C.J. left an indelible mark on the music industry with his soaring vocals and the FireHouse music he helped craft," the band's statement says. "Reach for the sky C.J! Your memory and your music will live on forever."

The double bill May 11 DPAO concert will also feature the heavy metal band Warrant, which first came into the national spotlight with their 1989 debut album, "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich." It produced the radio and MTV chart toppers, "Down Boys," "Sometimes She Cries," and the massive hit "Heaven." Warrant's 1990 sophomore album, "Cherry Pie" spawned the title track as MTV and radio hits. Other popular songs from it are "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "I Saw Red." The band's latest album, released in 2017, is "Louder Harder Faster."

The concert is indoors at the Watertown Fairgrounds Arena in Watertown. Tickets are $75 for pit standing room and $45 for general admission. Doors open at 5 for the 7 p.m. concert.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online (DPAOconcerts.com), by calling or stopping by the DPAO Concerts office (315-782-0044, 1291 Faichney Drive, Door D), or at all local area Kinney Drugs locations.

Also, at 7 p.m. on May 29, the DPAO concert series will host Leonid & Friends: The Music of Chicago at the arena.