Chad Gilbert, New Found Glory founding guitarist, dies aged 45
Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist and backing vocalist of pop-punk band New Found Glory, has died at 45. The band and his wife confirmed that he passed away peacefully on September 20; he had been battling cancer.
Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist and backing vocalist for New Found Glory, died at age 45. The band and Gilbert’s wife, Lisa Cimorelli, confirmed his death in a joint social-media statement saying he passed peacefully on the morning of September 20, surrounded by friends and family. Variety reports that a cause of death was not given. Gilbert had publicly battled cancer for several years, and earlier in 2026 told People that doctors had discovered three brain tumours and that he had been diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma after previous treatment for a rare adrenal cancer.
Band and wife announce Gilbert ‘passed away peacefully’
New Found Glory and Gilbert’s wife issued a joint statement on social media confirming his death. “On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep,” the message said, adding that he “left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side.” The statement called Gilbert “a legendary musician” and noted that his greatest joy was being a husband and father. Variety reports that no cause of death was given in the announcement.
Gilbert had been publicly battling cancer
Variety notes that Gilbert had battled cancer for many years. In early 2026, he told People that doctors had found three brain tumours and that he had been diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma years after treatment for a rare adrenal cancer. The Variety report does not state a cause of death and preserves the timeline of his public disclosures about his health.
Founding member of New Found Glory and veteran of the pop-punk scene
Gilbert was a founding member of New Found Glory, playing on all of the band’s albums from their 1999 debut, Nothing Gold Can Stay, through their 11th and most recent record, 2026’s Listen Up!. He also performed with other groups, including hardcore band Shai Hulud and New Found Glory’s side project International Superheroes of Hardcore. Gilbert helped form New Found Glory in 1997 alongside Jordan Pundik, Steve Klein, Ian Grushka and Joe Marino, with Cyrus Bolooki replacing Marino early on.
Raised in Florida, remembered by family
Gilbert grew up in Coral Springs, Florida, and played in several local bands before New Found Glory formed. He left school after 11th grade when the band signed to Drive-Thru Records. Variety reports he is survived by his wife, Lisa; their daughter, Lily; his mother, Jackie; and his brother, Brian.