Chad Gilbert, Founding Guitarist of Pop-Punk Band New Found Glory, Dies at 45

Chad Gilbert, a founding member and lead guitarist of the influential US rock band New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45. According to an announcement from his family, Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by loved ones, with his wife and mother by his side.

Gilbert’s family shared that they were shocked by how quickly his condition deteriorated, but expressed gratitude that his final moments were peaceful. While the family did not explicitly disclose his immediate cause of death in their statement, Gilbert had publicly shared details regarding a rigorous battle with cancer in the months leading up to his passing.

In an interview with People magazine published in April, Gilbert revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage four adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). This diagnosis came after medical professionals discovered three brain tumors, including one the size of a walnut, following ongoing treatments for metastatic pheochromocytoma, a form of adrenal cancer that he had been fighting since 2021.

Sharing updates with his followers on social media, Gilbert detailed his medical journey, noting that he underwent successful brain surgery in late February and subsequently focused on recovery. His wife, Lisa Cimorelli, explained to People that while previous treatments had effectively targeted the cancer across his body, they were unable to cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing tumors to develop in the brain.

In August, Gilbert shared another update on Instagram detailing a terrifying health scare when he struggled to breathe and could not sleep. A visit to the emergency room revealed he had accumulated 4.5 liters of fluid in his lungs, requiring a multi-day hospital stay and a procedure to drain the fluid. Despite the setbacks, he consistently expressed gratitude for the medical staff who cared for him and remained hopeful about regaining his strength.

Following the announcement of his death, Gilbert's family highlighted the profound impact he had on those around him, noting that the large crowd of visitors who gathered at the hospital was a testament to how deeply he was cherished. They emphasized that while he was widely recognized as a legendary musician, his most treasured role was being a husband and father. Gilbert is survived by his wife, his daughter Lily, his mother Jackie, and his brother Brian.

Gilbert’s bandmates in New Found Glory—Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, and Cyrus Bolooki—released a joint statement honoring his immense contributions to the group. They noted that his guitar playing, songwriting, distinct humor, and relentless drive helped define the band for nearly three decades.

Formed in Coral Springs, Florida, in 1997, New Found Glory emerged as a cornerstone of the early 2000s pop-punk movement. Over a career spanning nearly thirty years, the band released 14 studio albums, including their most recent release, Listen Up!. They earned widespread recognition for defining anthems that resonated deeply with young audiences at the turn of the century, most notably the 2002 hit My Friends Over You, as well as other fan favorites like Hit or Miss and All Downhill From Here.

Throughout their long career, the band maintained an active touring schedule. Reflecting on his enduring legacy, his bandmates stated that Gilbert's influence would forever remain a part of New Found Glory, and his spirit would be felt on every stage they play.

Gilbert's passing marks a significant loss for the global punk and alternative rock community, where his musical arrangements and song craft helped shape the sound of an entire generation of music fans.