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Chad Gilbert, founding member and lead guitarist of the influential punk rock band New Found Glory, has passed away at the age of 45. The news was shared Saturday in a joint Instagram statement by the band and Gilbert’s wife, Lisa Cimorelli. While no cause of death was specified, Gilbert had been battling adrenal cancer since 2021 and had undergone brain surgery earlier this year after tumors were discovered.
The statement read, “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.”
New Found Glory members-lead singer Jordan Pundik, bassist Ian Grushka, and drummer Cyrus Bolooki-paid heartfelt tribute to Gilbert’s profound impact on the band and their lives. “Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades,” they expressed. “Through more than a dozen albums, worldwide tours, and countless achievements, Chad pushed all of us to grow as musicians and as people.”
They added, “Though devastated by his loss, we are grateful for the incredible life he lived, the memories we shared, and the brotherhood we had. His influence will always be a part of New Found Glory, and his spirit will live on every time we take the stage.”
Gilbert’s wife and the band noted how deeply loved he was, highlighting the steady stream of visitors who came to the hospital during his final days. He is survived by Lisa, their daughter Lily, his mother Jackie, and his brother Brian.
Diagnosed initially with metastatic pheochromocytoma, a rare adrenal gland cancer, Gilbert revealed in a February interview how the disease had spread to his spine, lungs, and brain. He shared the challenges he faced after suffering weakness on his left side, a collapse at home, and emergency brain surgery to remove one of three tumors detected.
Following surgery, his diagnosis was updated to adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a cancer of the outer adrenal gland. Despite a difficult recovery, Gilbert made a courageous return to the stage in June, performing with New Found Glory in Nashville. He described the experience as deeply emotional, especially performing in front of his young daughter and loved ones.
Born in Coral Springs, Florida, in 1981, Gilbert co-founded New Found Glory in 1997. The band rose to fame with their 2002 album “Sticks and Stones,” which featured hits like “My Friends Over You” and “Head On Collision,” reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
They followed with successful albums including 2004’s “Catalyst,” which peaked at No. 3 on the charts. Over the years, New Found Glory became a defining force in the early-2000s pop-punk scene, releasing 12 studio albums and touring extensively worldwide.
Beyond New Found Glory, Gilbert was recognized for his contributions to the hardcore music scene, performing with bands like Shai Hulud and the International Superheroes of Hardcore. He also worked as a producer, collaborating with artists such as A Day to Remember, H2O, State Champs, and Fall Out Boy.
Chad Gilbert’s passing marks a significant loss for the music community and his fans around the globe. He will be remembered not only for his talent and creativity but also for his devotion as a husband and father. Rest in peace, Chad.