New Found Glory lead guitarist and founding member Chad Gilbert has died aged 45.
The musician passed away yesterday morning (September 20), six months after revealing he was battling brain cancer, having previously been diagnosed with liver cancer in 2021. The Florida pop-punk band and Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, announced the sad news with a post on social media, saying that he "passed away peacefully in his sleep." A statement reads:
"On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep. “He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished.
"We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went. The amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was, and always will be. He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian."
Paying tribute to his near-30 years with the band, they wrote: "Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades. Through more than a dozen albums, endless tours around the world, and more accolades than we ever could have imagined, Chad challenged all of us to grow as musicians, performers, and human beings. While we are devastated to lose him, we are so grateful for the incredible life he lived, the memories we shared, and the brotherhood we had. His influence will always be part of New Found Glory and his spirit will be felt on every stage we stand on, with every note we play. Rest in peace, Chad. We love you forever. Lisa, Jordan, Ian, Cyrus, and Dan."
Born in 1981, Gilbert helped shape New Found Glory's place in the early '00s pop-punk boom, writing most of the band's songs, including hits My Friends Over You and Head on Collision, while also working as a producer with bands such as A Day To Remember, H2O and Terroy, and releasing music through his solo project What's Eating Gilbert.
Despite his illness, he continued working with New Found Glory, contributing to their latest album, 'Listen Up!', released back in February, before making an emotional return to the stage later in the year.
Following news of his death, tributes have poured in from fans and fellow artists across the music industry, including Mark Hoppus, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma in 2021 and successfully entered remission later that year.
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