FireHouse
Encyclopedia
FireHouse is an American
hard rock
band formed in Charlotte, North Carolina
, in 1989. The band reached stardom during the early 1990s with hit singles like "Don't Treat Me Bad
" "Reach For The Sky
" and "All She Wrote
", as well as their signature ballads "I Live My Life for You
", "Love of a Lifetime
", and "When I Look Into Your Eyes
". At the 1992 American Music Awards, FireHouse won the award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist. They were chosen over Nirvana
and Alice in Chains
.
As the 1990s progressed, the band remained very popular in Asia, mainly in countries like Japan
, Thailand
, India
, Malaysia, The Philippines, Indonesia
, and Singapore
. They also maintained popularity in South America
and Europe
. FireHouse continued to release new material throughout the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, most of which has successfully charted in Japan. The band has also continued to tour internationally as of 2007, having participated twice in the annual Rock Never Stops Tour
with other bands of the 1980s. FireHouse is estimated to have sold over 7 million albums worldwide since their debut.
Originally composed of vocalist C. J. Snare
, guitarist Bill Leverty
, drummer Michael Foster
, and bassist Perry Richardson
, the band has maintained its original members with the exception of Richardson, who departed in 2000. Richardson was replaced three times before current bassist Allen McKenzie
was given the position in 2004.
answered the ad and when Leverty was impressed by his skill, he quickly hired him. When the band wasn't on tour, Leverty and Foster would visit rock clubs, and it was at one of these clubs where they caught sight of a band called Maxx Warrior. Singing for the band was C. J. Snare
, and the band's bassist was Perry Richardson
. Since Leverty, and Foster were impressed with Snare's vocal ability, they became determined to unite the bands. As soon as Maxx Warrior broke up, Leverty sent Snare some of his songs and asked him to sing on his tape. Foster and Leverty were again impressed, so they brought Snare in to be the band's lead singer for a show in Virginia
several weeks later.
The three-member group took their tape to Perry Richardson, the ex-bassist for Maxx Warrior, who said he liked it but had promised the band that he was in at the time six months of shows. When the six months was up, Richardson and his new bandmates moved to Charlotte, North Carolina
and began recording demos in Leverty's bedroom. The band would record all day and play hotel shows at night to earn income. Since Leverty and Foster's band name of White Heat was trademarked, the band chose FireHouse instead. In December 1989, Michael Caplan of Epic Records
flew to New York
to see a FireHouse show, and told the band immediately following the performance that they were ready for a record deal. The band went into the studio with David Prater as producer. Prater, having produced bands such as Dream Theater
and having drummed with Santana
, produced the band's first two albums.
, was met with much critical acclaim. The band won the American Music Award for Best New Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Band of 1991, Metal Edge Magazine's Best New Band of 1991, Young Guitar Magazine's Best Newcomer of 1991, and Music Life Magazine's reader's pop poll Best Newcomer of the Year 1992. The band's first album sold over two million copies in the United States, and was certified double platinum
by the RIAA. The band's third and most successful single, "Love of a Lifetime
," reached #3 and sold 500,000 copies. Other singles also charted including the harder-rocking "Don't Treat Me Bad
" at #14. The first single from the album, "Shake & Tumble" enjoyed success on the radio and brought attention to the band, but it failed to chart on the Pop charts, although it did at Metal radio. The album went on to become certified Gold in Canada
, Singapore
, and Japan
.
The band followed their impressive debut with Hold Your Fire
in 1992. Although not as successful as its predecessor, Hold Your Fire produced three more hit singles and was certified Gold in the USA. To date, Hold Your Fire has soundscanned over 873,000 copies in the United States alone. It is estimated that the RIAA will certify Hold Your Fire as platinum in 2008. Singles from Hold Your Fire included "Sleeping with You
," "Reach for the Sky
," and the ballad "When I Look Into Your Eyes
." The latter single became a Top 40 hit in the United States.
For the band's third album, aptly titled 3
, they changed producers. Ron Nevison
, who had served as producer for Led Zeppelin
, Ozzy Osbourne
, Europe
, Heart
, and many other groups, produced this album. While the band's success had waned in the United States by 3's release in 1995, it brought them more success overseas than ever before. It was certified Gold in several Asia
n countries, giving the band an opportunity to tour in countries like India
and Thailand
. The lead single from the album, "I Live My Life for You
," was the band's third Top 20 ballad in the United States. Kenneth JP Locke remarked that despite drastic changes in the industry, FireHouse was the only band of its genre that managed to have a Top 20 hit as late as 1995, without having to make drastic changes to their sound. 3's follow-up, Good Acoustics
, was a collection of acoustic arrangements of several of their greatest hits, as well as four new songs. Good Acoustics, produced by the band's guitarist Bill Leverty
, went gold in six countries around the world including Malaysia, Thailand
, and the Philippines
. Tracks "In Your Perfect World", "You Are My Religion", and "Love Don't Care" became hits in many Asian countries. After the album's release, the band launched their second tour of Asia which ended in late 1996, which was followed by another tour of Indonesia, Thailand, and Japan in February 1997, including several sold out shows. The band returned to Southeast Asia
in July and played an unprecedented 25 city sold out tour of Indonesia.
After this time, the band, frustrated with their label's lack of promotion in the United States, asked to be released from their contract. However, they made a significant and important change, when they signed with Pony Canyon
, from Japan
. With the decline of popularity among rock acts of the 80s in the States, and their steady fame in Asia and elsewhere abroad, they agreed and released Category 5
with their new label. They toured heavily throughout Asia during 1998 and 1999, achieving great success with their album. They continued to tour heavily in the United States as well, performing on the first ever "Rock Never Stops Tour" all over America in 1998. This tour featured fellow 1980s rock bands including Slaughter
and Quiet Riot
. On April 22, 1999, FireHouse recorded a live show in Osaka, Japan and released it with the title Bring 'Em Out Live
later that year.
Sometime in 2000, the band parted ways with bassist Perry Richardson due to personal conflict,and hired Bruce Waibel
, who had played in The Gregg Allman
Band for 10 years. Leverty met Waibel in Sarasota, Florida
and was impressed with his bass guitar skills. When the band had an opening for a bassist due to Richardson's departure, Leverty contacted Waibel and asked him to join the band. With Waibel, they recorded their next album, O2
, and toured on the Metal Edge 2002 tour with Dokken
, Ratt
, Warrant, and LA Guns. After the twelve week tour, Waibel parted ways with the band to spend more time with his family. In 2003, Waibel died unexpectedly at age 39. Guitarist Bill Leverty expressed the band's sadness over his death in a statement shortly after the news broke. Initially, Waibel was replaced by Brazilian Dario Seixas
, who played bass on the band's 2003 critically acclaimed album Prime Time, but Seixas left the band shortly after, so the band announced that they were in need of a bass player. Allen McKenzie
, who was playing bass for Jani Lane
's solo project at the time, sent in his audition tape, and the band agreed that he was the right musician for the job.
In December 2004, FireHouse became the first major international rock band to play concert dates in northeast India
. The band's first Indian concert date was in Shillong
, followed by two more dates in Dimapur
, and Aizawl
. The band's first Indian date, in Shillong When the Maharaja of Tripura Kirit Pradyot Deb Burman invited them, took place in front of a sold out stadium crowd of over 40,000, setting a record for that city. The band toured in 2005, 2006, and launched another tour in 2007 visiting states in the Midwest United States
such as North Dakota
and playing at several festivals including Rocklahoma
. In a March 2007 interview, when asked about the band's next album, guitarist Bill Leverty said "we plan on going into the studio this coming winter. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get all the songs together and record them for a spring/summer release." Regarding the future of the band, C.J. Snare commented that "this has been an incredible, incredible career. To do something that you love, to be an artist, to be an entertainer and to actually go out there and have fans all over the world and be able to make a living at it. As long as that's perpetuated, I don’t see any reason to ever stop."
, guitarist Bill Leverty
, drummer Michael Foster
, and bassist Perry Richardson
, the band has maintained all of its original members with the exception of Perry Richardson, who departed in 2000 due to conflict. Richardson was initially replaced by Bruce Waibel
, but Waibel left in 2003 to spend more time with his family. Dario Seixas
was brought on board to play bass on the band's 2003 album Prime Time, but he parted ways with the band shortly after the album was released. Current bassist Allen McKenzie
was given the position in 2004. In 2011 the band is releasing their 9th Studio CD entitled "Full Circle."
Guitarist Bill Leverty and C.J. Snare, have both pursued solo careers, but neither have let their solo projects interfere with the band's studio and touring efforts. Leverty has released two solo albums; Wanderlust in 2004 and Southern Exposure in 2007, and when asked if he would ever tour in support of them, he said that it would be "extremely selfish" to do so while putting the band on hold. Snare has released a Christmas single entitled "A Christmas Gift" ,another single with Liberty 'N Justice ,"Do What You Believe", and is currently working on the 2011 release of his side project with English guitarist Chris Green. The Project is called "Rubicon Cross." Drummer Michael Foster has participated in Leverty's solo career by playing drums on both of his albums.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band formed in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, in 1989. The band reached stardom during the early 1990s with hit singles like "Don't Treat Me Bad
Don't Treat Me Bad
"Don't Treat Me Bad" is the second single by FireHouse from their self-titled debut album. It went to #19 on the Hot 100, becoming the band's first charting single and their first to Reach the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.-Charts:...
" "Reach For The Sky
Reach For The Sky
Reach for the Sky is a 1956 film starring Kenneth More as Douglas Bader. Reach for the Sky may refer to:* Reach for the Sky , a 1954 biography by Paul Brickhill about pilot Douglas Bader, the basis for the 1956 film...
" and "All She Wrote
All She Wrote (song)
"All She Wrote" was the fourth and final single from the self-titled FireHouse by the American rock band FireHouse. The single peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J. Snare. The promotional video for the song was filmed at the O.C....
", as well as their signature ballads "I Live My Life for You
I Live My Life for You
"I Live My Life for You" is the seventh single released by the American rock band FireHouse. The song reached number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 20 on the Adult Contemporary charts. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J...
", "Love of a Lifetime
Love of a Lifetime
"Love of a Lifetime" is a song performed by the American rock band FireHouse. It was the band's third single and its highest charting single in the United States, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1991. It is also the band's first and most popular power ballad. The song was...
", and "When I Look Into Your Eyes
When I Look Into Your Eyes
"When I Look Into Your Eyes" is the sixth single released by the American rock band FireHouse. Upon release, the song became the band's second hit ballad, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J. Snare.-Charts:-External links:*...
". At the 1992 American Music Awards, FireHouse won the award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist. They were chosen over Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
and Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
.
As the 1990s progressed, the band remained very popular in Asia, mainly in countries like Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Malaysia, The Philippines, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. They also maintained popularity in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. FireHouse continued to release new material throughout the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, most of which has successfully charted in Japan. The band has also continued to tour internationally as of 2007, having participated twice in the annual Rock Never Stops Tour
Rock Never Stops Tour
Rock Never Stops is a U.S. rock tour that features various rock groups of the 1980s and 1990s. The tour started in 1998 with L.A. Guns, FireHouse, Slaughter, Warrant and Quiet Riot. However, the line-up has changed through the years adding various bands of the genre.-Tour lineup:The tour's lineup...
with other bands of the 1980s. FireHouse is estimated to have sold over 7 million albums worldwide since their debut.
Originally composed of vocalist C. J. Snare
C. J. Snare
C J Snare is a rock singer best known for being the frontman and founding member of the band FireHouse. He co wrote most of the band's songs and has had 7 songs chart in the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, five of which were top 40. He also appears periodically with the band Scrap Metal and works as a...
, guitarist Bill Leverty
Bill Leverty
William G. Leverty II is an American guitarist, who is a founding and current member of the American rock band FireHouse. Leverty, along with vocalist C.J. Snare, was responsible for writing many of the band's hit songs including "Don't Treat Me Bad"...
, drummer Michael Foster
Michael Foster (musician)
Michael Foster is the drummer of rock band FireHouse.-Biography:Michael Foster was born in Richmond, Virginia to James Earnest and Patricia Valenti Foster. He has a younger brother called Daniel Sean. Since he was a kid, his parents gave him pots and pans to beat on. Later on, he would receive a...
, and bassist Perry Richardson
Perry Richardson
Perry Richardson is the former bassist of rock band FireHouse until 1999.Richardson met C. J. Snare in North Carolina and started a band called Max Warrior. Eventually they met with Bill Leverty and Michael Foster...
, the band has maintained its original members with the exception of Richardson, who departed in 2000. Richardson was replaced three times before current bassist Allen McKenzie
Allen McKenzie
Allen McKenzie is an American rock musician who is currently the bass guitar player for the rock band FireHouse.Allen McKenzie was born on January 1, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio, and spent his formative years growing up in rural Jackson, Ohio. He married his wife Tina on Oct...
was given the position in 2004.
Early beginnings
The history of FireHouse can be traced back to 1984, when Leverty's band White Heat needed a drummer. After over 20 auditions, current FireHouse drummer Michael FosterMichael Foster (musician)
Michael Foster is the drummer of rock band FireHouse.-Biography:Michael Foster was born in Richmond, Virginia to James Earnest and Patricia Valenti Foster. He has a younger brother called Daniel Sean. Since he was a kid, his parents gave him pots and pans to beat on. Later on, he would receive a...
answered the ad and when Leverty was impressed by his skill, he quickly hired him. When the band wasn't on tour, Leverty and Foster would visit rock clubs, and it was at one of these clubs where they caught sight of a band called Maxx Warrior. Singing for the band was C. J. Snare
C. J. Snare
C J Snare is a rock singer best known for being the frontman and founding member of the band FireHouse. He co wrote most of the band's songs and has had 7 songs chart in the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, five of which were top 40. He also appears periodically with the band Scrap Metal and works as a...
, and the band's bassist was Perry Richardson
Perry Richardson
Perry Richardson is the former bassist of rock band FireHouse until 1999.Richardson met C. J. Snare in North Carolina and started a band called Max Warrior. Eventually they met with Bill Leverty and Michael Foster...
. Since Leverty, and Foster were impressed with Snare's vocal ability, they became determined to unite the bands. As soon as Maxx Warrior broke up, Leverty sent Snare some of his songs and asked him to sing on his tape. Foster and Leverty were again impressed, so they brought Snare in to be the band's lead singer for a show in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
several weeks later.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
and began recording demos in Leverty's bedroom. The band would record all day and play hotel shows at night to earn income. Since Leverty and Foster's band name of White Heat was trademarked, the band chose FireHouse instead. In December 1989, Michael Caplan of Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
flew to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to see a FireHouse show, and told the band immediately following the performance that they were ready for a record deal. The band went into the studio with David Prater as producer. Prater, having produced bands such as Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
and having drummed with Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
, produced the band's first two albums.
Success in the 1990s
The band's self-titled debut in 1990, FireHouseFireHouse (album)
FireHouse is the debut album of the band FireHouse. It was released in 1990 and launched the band into stardom. It was certified 2x Platinum in the United States, and Gold in Canada, Japan, and Singapore....
, was met with much critical acclaim. The band won the American Music Award for Best New Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Band of 1991, Metal Edge Magazine's Best New Band of 1991, Young Guitar Magazine's Best Newcomer of 1991, and Music Life Magazine's reader's pop poll Best Newcomer of the Year 1992. The band's first album sold over two million copies in the United States, and was certified double platinum
Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina del Pinto, which is literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto River." It is a dense, malleable, ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal...
by the RIAA. The band's third and most successful single, "Love of a Lifetime
Love of a Lifetime
"Love of a Lifetime" is a song performed by the American rock band FireHouse. It was the band's third single and its highest charting single in the United States, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1991. It is also the band's first and most popular power ballad. The song was...
," reached #3 and sold 500,000 copies. Other singles also charted including the harder-rocking "Don't Treat Me Bad
Don't Treat Me Bad
"Don't Treat Me Bad" is the second single by FireHouse from their self-titled debut album. It went to #19 on the Hot 100, becoming the band's first charting single and their first to Reach the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.-Charts:...
" at #14. The first single from the album, "Shake & Tumble" enjoyed success on the radio and brought attention to the band, but it failed to chart on the Pop charts, although it did at Metal radio. The album went on to become certified Gold in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
The band followed their impressive debut with Hold Your Fire
Hold Your Fire (FireHouse album)
Hold Your Fire is the second studio album of the hard rock band FireHouse. It was released in June 1992. The album spent thirty weeks in the Billboard 200 Top Albums chart peaking at # 23....
in 1992. Although not as successful as its predecessor, Hold Your Fire produced three more hit singles and was certified Gold in the USA. To date, Hold Your Fire has soundscanned over 873,000 copies in the United States alone. It is estimated that the RIAA will certify Hold Your Fire as platinum in 2008. Singles from Hold Your Fire included "Sleeping with You
Sleeping with You
"Sleeping with You" is the sixth single released by the American rock band FireHouse. The single reached #78 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J. Snare....
," "Reach for the Sky
Reach for the Sky (FireHouse song)
"Reach for the Sky" is the fifth single released by the American rock band FireHouse. As the first single from their second album, Hold Your Fire, the song reached #83 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #27 on the Mainstream Rock charts. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J....
," and the ballad "When I Look Into Your Eyes
When I Look Into Your Eyes
"When I Look Into Your Eyes" is the sixth single released by the American rock band FireHouse. Upon release, the song became the band's second hit ballad, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J. Snare.-Charts:-External links:*...
." The latter single became a Top 40 hit in the United States.
For the band's third album, aptly titled 3
3 (FireHouse album)
3 is the aptly titled third studio album of the rock band FireHouse. It was released in 1995.The album featured a softer sound than their previous two albums. It also spawned another hit signature power ballad in "I Live My Life for You"....
, they changed producers. Ron Nevison
Ron Nevison
Multi-platinum record producer Ron Nevison, throughout his career, has operated much like a surgeon, brought in during a critical point in a band's career to bring them back to the top from the commercial brink...
, who had served as producer for Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, Europe
Europe (band)
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements...
, Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
, and many other groups, produced this album. While the band's success had waned in the United States by 3's release in 1995, it brought them more success overseas than ever before. It was certified Gold in several Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n countries, giving the band an opportunity to tour in countries like India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. The lead single from the album, "I Live My Life for You
I Live My Life for You
"I Live My Life for You" is the seventh single released by the American rock band FireHouse. The song reached number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 20 on the Adult Contemporary charts. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J...
," was the band's third Top 20 ballad in the United States. Kenneth JP Locke remarked that despite drastic changes in the industry, FireHouse was the only band of its genre that managed to have a Top 20 hit as late as 1995, without having to make drastic changes to their sound. 3's follow-up, Good Acoustics
Good Acoustics
Good Acoustics is the fourth album of the rock band FireHouse. It was released in 1996.The album featured acoustic versions of several of the band's biggest hits. However, it also featured four new songs.-Track listing:...
, was a collection of acoustic arrangements of several of their greatest hits, as well as four new songs. Good Acoustics, produced by the band's guitarist Bill Leverty
Bill Leverty
William G. Leverty II is an American guitarist, who is a founding and current member of the American rock band FireHouse. Leverty, along with vocalist C.J. Snare, was responsible for writing many of the band's hit songs including "Don't Treat Me Bad"...
, went gold in six countries around the world including Malaysia, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Tracks "In Your Perfect World", "You Are My Religion", and "Love Don't Care" became hits in many Asian countries. After the album's release, the band launched their second tour of Asia which ended in late 1996, which was followed by another tour of Indonesia, Thailand, and Japan in February 1997, including several sold out shows. The band returned to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
in July and played an unprecedented 25 city sold out tour of Indonesia.
After this time, the band, frustrated with their label's lack of promotion in the United States, asked to be released from their contract. However, they made a significant and important change, when they signed with Pony Canyon
Pony Canyon
is a Japanese company, established on October 1, 1966 , which publishes music, DVD and VHS videos, movies and video games. It is a subsidiary of Japanese Media Group, Fujisankei Communications Group.-History:...
, from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. With the decline of popularity among rock acts of the 80s in the States, and their steady fame in Asia and elsewhere abroad, they agreed and released Category 5
Category 5 (album)
Category 5 is the fifth album of the rock band FireHouse. It was originally released in 1998 in Japan and in 1999 in the United States by Lightyear Records....
with their new label. They toured heavily throughout Asia during 1998 and 1999, achieving great success with their album. They continued to tour heavily in the United States as well, performing on the first ever "Rock Never Stops Tour" all over America in 1998. This tour featured fellow 1980s rock bands including Slaughter
Slaughter (band)
Slaughter is an American heavy metal band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada by lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Mark Slaughter and bassist Dana Strum. The band reached stardom in 1990 with their first album, Stick It to Ya which spawned several hit singles including "Up All Night", "Spend My Life", "Mad...
and Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot is an American Heavy Metal band. They are best known for their hit singles "Metal Health" and "Cum On Feel the Noize". They were founded in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni, under the original name Mach 1, before changing the name to Little Women and finally Quiet...
. On April 22, 1999, FireHouse recorded a live show in Osaka, Japan and released it with the title Bring 'Em Out Live
Bring 'Em Out Live
Bring 'Em Out Live is the first live album of the rock band FireHouse.-Track listing:# "Intro"# "Overnight Sensation"# "All She Wrote"# "Lover's Lane"# "Hold Your Fire"# "Dream"# "When I Look Into Your Eyes"# "Acid Rain"# "Bringing Me Down"...
later that year.
2000 and beyond
Bruce Waibel
Bruce Kenneth Waibel was a musician that played for several artists and bands. He was last remembered for playing bass guitar and touring with rock band FireHouse. He died in 2003 and his death was ruled a suicide....
, who had played in The Gregg Allman
Gregg Allman
Gregory Lenoir Allman , known as Gregg Allman, is a rock and blues singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter, and a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. He was inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia...
Band for 10 years. Leverty met Waibel in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
and was impressed with his bass guitar skills. When the band had an opening for a bassist due to Richardson's departure, Leverty contacted Waibel and asked him to join the band. With Waibel, they recorded their next album, O2
O2 (FireHouse album)
O2 is the seventh album of the rock band FireHouse. It was released in 2000 and it's the only album to feature the late Bruce Waibel on bass.-Track listing:All songs written by Leverty and Snare.# "Jumpin'" - 3:44# "Take It Off" - 3:51...
, and toured on the Metal Edge 2002 tour with Dokken
Dokken
Dokken is an American heavy metal and hard rock band formed in 1978. They split up in 1989 but reformed four years later. The group accumulated numerous charting singles and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide...
, Ratt
Ratt
Ratt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt...
, Warrant, and LA Guns. After the twelve week tour, Waibel parted ways with the band to spend more time with his family. In 2003, Waibel died unexpectedly at age 39. Guitarist Bill Leverty expressed the band's sadness over his death in a statement shortly after the news broke. Initially, Waibel was replaced by Brazilian Dario Seixas
Dario Seixas
Dario Seixas Filho is a bass player, best known for touring with the multi-platinum hair metal band Firehouse and recording their 2003 release Prime Time. He has been credited by Brazilian media as the first Brazilian musician to play in a top hair metal band...
, who played bass on the band's 2003 critically acclaimed album Prime Time, but Seixas left the band shortly after, so the band announced that they were in need of a bass player. Allen McKenzie
Allen McKenzie
Allen McKenzie is an American rock musician who is currently the bass guitar player for the rock band FireHouse.Allen McKenzie was born on January 1, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio, and spent his formative years growing up in rural Jackson, Ohio. He married his wife Tina on Oct...
, who was playing bass for Jani Lane
Jani Lane
Jani Lane , born John Kennedy Oswald, later changed to John Patrick Oswald, was an American recording artist and the lead vocalist, frontman, lyricist and main songwriter for the hard rock band Warrant....
's solo project at the time, sent in his audition tape, and the band agreed that he was the right musician for the job.
In December 2004, FireHouse became the first major international rock band to play concert dates in northeast India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The band's first Indian concert date was in Shillong
Shillong
-Connectivity:Although well connected by road, Shillong has no rail connection and a proper air connection. Umroi Airport exists but has only limited flights.-Roadways:Shillong is well connected by roads with all major north eastern states...
, followed by two more dates in Dimapur
Dimapur
Dimapur in Nagaland is bounded by Kohima district on the south and east, Karbi Anglong district of Assam on the West, the Karbi Anglong and stretch of Golaghat District of Assam, in the west and the north...
, and Aizawl
Aizawl
Aizawl is the capital of the state of Mizoram in India. With a resident population 228,280 , it is the largest city within the state. It is also the center of all important government offices, state assembly house and civil secretariat...
. The band's first Indian date, in Shillong When the Maharaja of Tripura Kirit Pradyot Deb Burman invited them, took place in front of a sold out stadium crowd of over 40,000, setting a record for that city. The band toured in 2005, 2006, and launched another tour in 2007 visiting states in the Midwest United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
such as North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
and playing at several festivals including Rocklahoma
Rocklahoma
Rocklahoma is an annual hard rock music festival held in Pryor, Oklahoma...
. In a March 2007 interview, when asked about the band's next album, guitarist Bill Leverty said "we plan on going into the studio this coming winter. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get all the songs together and record them for a spring/summer release." Regarding the future of the band, C.J. Snare commented that "this has been an incredible, incredible career. To do something that you love, to be an artist, to be an entertainer and to actually go out there and have fans all over the world and be able to make a living at it. As long as that's perpetuated, I don’t see any reason to ever stop."
Band members
Originally composed of vocalist C. J. SnareC. J. Snare
C J Snare is a rock singer best known for being the frontman and founding member of the band FireHouse. He co wrote most of the band's songs and has had 7 songs chart in the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, five of which were top 40. He also appears periodically with the band Scrap Metal and works as a...
, guitarist Bill Leverty
Bill Leverty
William G. Leverty II is an American guitarist, who is a founding and current member of the American rock band FireHouse. Leverty, along with vocalist C.J. Snare, was responsible for writing many of the band's hit songs including "Don't Treat Me Bad"...
, drummer Michael Foster
Michael Foster
Michael Foster may refer to:* Michael Foster , British physiologist and Member of Parliament * Michael Jabez Foster , British politician, former MP for Hastings and Rye...
, and bassist Perry Richardson
Perry Richardson
Perry Richardson is the former bassist of rock band FireHouse until 1999.Richardson met C. J. Snare in North Carolina and started a band called Max Warrior. Eventually they met with Bill Leverty and Michael Foster...
, the band has maintained all of its original members with the exception of Perry Richardson, who departed in 2000 due to conflict. Richardson was initially replaced by Bruce Waibel
Bruce Waibel
Bruce Kenneth Waibel was a musician that played for several artists and bands. He was last remembered for playing bass guitar and touring with rock band FireHouse. He died in 2003 and his death was ruled a suicide....
, but Waibel left in 2003 to spend more time with his family. Dario Seixas
Dario Seixas
Dario Seixas Filho is a bass player, best known for touring with the multi-platinum hair metal band Firehouse and recording their 2003 release Prime Time. He has been credited by Brazilian media as the first Brazilian musician to play in a top hair metal band...
was brought on board to play bass on the band's 2003 album Prime Time, but he parted ways with the band shortly after the album was released. Current bassist Allen McKenzie
Allen McKenzie
Allen McKenzie is an American rock musician who is currently the bass guitar player for the rock band FireHouse.Allen McKenzie was born on January 1, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio, and spent his formative years growing up in rural Jackson, Ohio. He married his wife Tina on Oct...
was given the position in 2004. In 2011 the band is releasing their 9th Studio CD entitled "Full Circle."
Guitarist Bill Leverty and C.J. Snare, have both pursued solo careers, but neither have let their solo projects interfere with the band's studio and touring efforts. Leverty has released two solo albums; Wanderlust in 2004 and Southern Exposure in 2007, and when asked if he would ever tour in support of them, he said that it would be "extremely selfish" to do so while putting the band on hold. Snare has released a Christmas single entitled "A Christmas Gift" ,another single with Liberty 'N Justice ,"Do What You Believe", and is currently working on the 2011 release of his side project with English guitarist Chris Green. The Project is called "Rubicon Cross." Drummer Michael Foster has participated in Leverty's solo career by playing drums on both of his albums.
Current
- C.J. Snare - lead vocals, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(1989–present) - Bill LevertyBill LevertyWilliam G. Leverty II is an American guitarist, who is a founding and current member of the American rock band FireHouse. Leverty, along with vocalist C.J. Snare, was responsible for writing many of the band's hit songs including "Don't Treat Me Bad"...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s (1989–present) - Michael FosterMichael Foster (musician)Michael Foster is the drummer of rock band FireHouse.-Biography:Michael Foster was born in Richmond, Virginia to James Earnest and Patricia Valenti Foster. He has a younger brother called Daniel Sean. Since he was a kid, his parents gave him pots and pans to beat on. Later on, he would receive a...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1989–present) - Allen McKenzieAllen McKenzieAllen McKenzie is an American rock musician who is currently the bass guitar player for the rock band FireHouse.Allen McKenzie was born on January 1, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio, and spent his formative years growing up in rural Jackson, Ohio. He married his wife Tina on Oct...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2004–present)
Former
- Perry RichardsonPerry RichardsonPerry Richardson is the former bassist of rock band FireHouse until 1999.Richardson met C. J. Snare in North Carolina and started a band called Max Warrior. Eventually they met with Bill Leverty and Michael Foster...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1989–1999) - Bruce WaibelBruce WaibelBruce Kenneth Waibel was a musician that played for several artists and bands. He was last remembered for playing bass guitar and touring with rock band FireHouse. He died in 2003 and his death was ruled a suicide....
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2000–2003) - Dario SeixasDario SeixasDario Seixas Filho is a bass player, best known for touring with the multi-platinum hair metal band Firehouse and recording their 2003 release Prime Time. He has been credited by Brazilian media as the first Brazilian musician to play in a top hair metal band...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2003)
Studio albums
- FireHouseFireHouse (album)FireHouse is the debut album of the band FireHouse. It was released in 1990 and launched the band into stardom. It was certified 2x Platinum in the United States, and Gold in Canada, Japan, and Singapore....
- August 21, 1990 - Hold Your FireHold Your Fire (FireHouse album)Hold Your Fire is the second studio album of the hard rock band FireHouse. It was released in June 1992. The album spent thirty weeks in the Billboard 200 Top Albums chart peaking at # 23....
- June 16, 1992 - 33 (FireHouse album)3 is the aptly titled third studio album of the rock band FireHouse. It was released in 1995.The album featured a softer sound than their previous two albums. It also spawned another hit signature power ballad in "I Live My Life for You"....
- April 11, 1995 - Good AcousticsGood AcousticsGood Acoustics is the fourth album of the rock band FireHouse. It was released in 1996.The album featured acoustic versions of several of the band's biggest hits. However, it also featured four new songs.-Track listing:...
- October 8, 1996 - Category 5Category 5 (album)Category 5 is the fifth album of the rock band FireHouse. It was originally released in 1998 in Japan and in 1999 in the United States by Lightyear Records....
- October, 1998 - O2O2 (FireHouse album)O2 is the seventh album of the rock band FireHouse. It was released in 2000 and it's the only album to feature the late Bruce Waibel on bass.-Track listing:All songs written by Leverty and Snare.# "Jumpin'" - 3:44# "Take It Off" - 3:51...
- November 7, 2000 - Prime Time - August 12, 2003
- Full Circle - June 1, 2011
Singles
| Year | Song | US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US MSR Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
US A.C. | CAN Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
UK Singles UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 1991 in music See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year... |
"Don't Treat Me Bad Don't Treat Me Bad "Don't Treat Me Bad" is the second single by FireHouse from their self-titled debut album. It went to #19 on the Hot 100, becoming the band's first charting single and their first to Reach the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.-Charts:... " |
19 | 16 | - | 35 | 71 | FireHouse |
| 1991 1991 in music See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year... |
"Love of a Lifetime Love of a Lifetime "Love of a Lifetime" is a song performed by the American rock band FireHouse. It was the band's third single and its highest charting single in the United States, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1991. It is also the band's first and most popular power ballad. The song was... " |
5 | - | - | 30 | - | |
| 1991 1991 in music See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year... |
"All She Wrote All She Wrote (song) "All She Wrote" was the fourth and final single from the self-titled FireHouse by the American rock band FireHouse. The single peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J. Snare. The promotional video for the song was filmed at the O.C.... " |
58 | 25 | - | - | - | |
| 1992 1992 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s.... |
"Reach for the Sky Reach for the Sky (FireHouse song) "Reach for the Sky" is the fifth single released by the American rock band FireHouse. As the first single from their second album, Hold Your Fire, the song reached #83 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #27 on the Mainstream Rock charts. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J.... " |
83 | 27 | - | - | - | Hold Your Fire |
| 1992 1992 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s.... |
"When I Look Into Your Eyes When I Look Into Your Eyes "When I Look Into Your Eyes" is the sixth single released by the American rock band FireHouse. Upon release, the song became the band's second hit ballad, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J. Snare.-Charts:-External links:*... " |
8 | - | - | 20 | 65 | |
| 1992 1992 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s.... |
"Sleeping with You Sleeping with You "Sleeping with You" is the sixth single released by the American rock band FireHouse. The single reached #78 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J. Snare.... " |
78 | - | - | - | - | |
| 1995 1995 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident.... |
"I Live My Life for You I Live My Life for You "I Live My Life for You" is the seventh single released by the American rock band FireHouse. The song reached number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 20 on the Adult Contemporary charts. The song was written by guitarist Bill Leverty and vocalist C.J... " |
26 | - | 20 | 17 | - | 3 |
| 1995 1995 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident.... |
"Here For You" | 108 | - | - | - | - |