- The lead singer and co-founder of the American rock group died on Friday evening, according to his bandmates and loved ones
- In 2020, he was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer
The founding singer of the band Firehouse CJ Snare passed away on Friday evening at the age of 64 after a ‘long battle with cancer’.
According to a post on the band’s Facebook page, Snare “passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday evening, April 5, 2024.”
“He was a young 64-year-old… We are all in complete shock over CJ’s untimely passing,” his bandmates said.
TMZ reports through Snare’s daughter that his official cause of death was cardiac arrest.
Snare co-founded Firehouse in the late 1980s and remained a member of the band for some four decades alongside Bill Leverty, the band’s guitarist, and drummer Michael Foster.
The American rocker of the band Firehouse, CJ Snare, died on Friday at the age of 64
Snare was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in September 2020
He co-wrote each of the band’s top 20 hits, including “Don’t Treat Me Bad” (1991), “Love of a Lifetime” (1991) and “When I Look Into Your Eyes” (1992).
Last year, Snare reportedly underwent abdominal surgery, which forced him to stop touring.
However, he was expected to return to live performances this summer.
Firehouse, the typical American rock band from Charlotte, North Carolina, started to make waves in the early nineties. They became known for their mastery of melodic rock, including frequently composing catchy hooks in their songs.
Jack Blades, of the band Night Ranger, wrote in response to the news: “I’m just saddened by the news of the passing of our rock ‘n’ roll brother CJ Snare.”
‘Many wonderful memories of NR and Firehouse playing together. CJ’s sweet soul and amazing smile always brightened the day no matter what.”
In the band’s Facebook post, they added: ‘CJ was arguably one of the finest vocal talents of a generation, touring the world non-stop with Firehouse for the past 34 years.
“Our sincere condolences go out to the entire Snare family, Katherine Little, friends and all our beloved fans around the world.
‘”Reach for the Sky” CJ! You will be forever missed by family, friends, fans and your bandmates. You are now singing with the angels.’
Snare is remembered as ‘arguably one of the best vocal talents of a generation’
Firehouse, the typical American rock band from Charlotte, North Carolina, started to make waves in the early nineties. They became known for their mastery of melodic rock, including frequently composing catchy hooks in their songs
According to Snare’s partner of nearly ten years, Katherine Little, Snare was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in September 2020.
‘His initial prognosis was bleak, but that didn’t deter him. We went for a second opinion and in September 2021 he underwent life-saving surgery that gave us our last years with him,” she wrote Facebook.
“CJ leaves behind three beautiful children who are all so special to me. Life will never be the same again. I’m not ready to face this. There is so much to say, but words are incredibly difficult right now. Please respect our family during this time of grief and keep us in your thoughts.”