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Chad Gilbert, the founding member and lead guitarist for the punk rock band New Found Glory, has died. He was 45.
The band and the late musician’s wife Lisa Cimorelli announced the news of Gilbert’s death in a joint Instagram post Saturday. The post did not cite a cause of death, but Gilbert had battled adrenal cancer since 2021, and in February, underwent brain surgery after doctors found tumors.
“On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep,” they wrote. “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.”
Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory has died at the age of 54. (FilmMagic)
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“We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went,” they continued. “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.”
In their statement, New Found Glory, whose members include lead singer Jordan Pundik, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Cyrus Bolooki, paid tribute to Gilbert’s lasting influence on the band and the deep personal bond that they shared.
“Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades,” they wrote. “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.”
The band’s guitarist and founding member had battled adrenal cancer since 2021. (Future Publishing via Getty Images)
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“Rest in peace, Chad. We love you forever,” they concluded.
Digital has reached out to New Found Glory’s management company Le Grand Music and label Pure Noise Records for comment.
Gilbert had been open about his battle with stage 4 adrenal cancer that was first diagnosed in 2021 and later spread to his spine, lungs and brain. He was initially diagnosed with metastatic pheochromocytoma, a rare adrenal gland cancer, in which the tumor grows inside the inner part of the adrenal gland.
In a February interview with People magazine, he shared that he began experiencing weakness on the left side of his body and difficulty walking while New Found Glory was promoting its latest album “Listen Up!”
After collapsing at home, Gilbert underwent a scan and doctors discovered he had three brain tumors, one of which required emergency surgery. Gilbert later underwent radiation and immunotherapy to treat the two remaining tumors.
After the operation, he told People magazine his diagnosis changed to adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), which starts growing in the outer layer of the adrenal gland.
Gilbert helped form the Florida punk rock band in 1997. (Redferns)
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In a March Instagram post, Gilbert wrote that his “recovery has been bumpy at times,” but that he was “feeling much better now and getting stronger by the day.”
Gilbert returned to the stage in June, performing with New Found Glory during their tour stop in Nashville, Tennessee. He joined the band onstage to perform a few songs while using a mobility scooter.
“I got to play a show in front of my daughter, something I truly never thought I’d get to do again,” he wrote in an Instagram post following the show. “And my beautiful wife and all the nurses and doctors, my amazing team that have kept me alive through my battle. It was very emotional getting up on stage with my band again to play. So many feelings all at once.”
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Gilbert shared daughter Lily, 5, with Cimorelli, whom he wed in 2020. The guitarist was previously married to Eisley singer Sherri DuPree. The two tied the knot in 2007 but split later that year. Gilbert was also married to Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams from 2016 to 2017.
New Found Glory made their breakthrough with their 2002 album “Sticks and Stones.” (WireImage)
Born March 9, 1981 in Coral Springs, Florida, Gilbert helped form New Found Glory in 1997. The band broke through with its 2002 album, “Sticks and Stones,” which featured the hit singles “My Friends Over You” and “Head On Collision” and reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart.
New Found Glory followed up with 2004’s “Catalyst,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, and produced the singles “All Downhill from Here” and “Failure’s Not Flattering.”
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New Found Glory became one of the defining bands of the early-2000s pop-punk era. The band has released 12 studio albums and toured extensively around the world. Gilbert appeared on all of New Found Glory’s albums, including “Listen Up!,” which came out in February.
In June, Gilbert returned to the stage for an emotional performance with New Found Glory in Nashville. (Getty Images)
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Outside New Found Glory, Gilbert was also known for his work in hardcore, including as a vocalist for Shai Hulud and with New Found Glory’s side project International Superheroes of Hardcore. Gilbert also worked as a producer for artists including A Day to Remember, H2O and State Champs, and collaborated with Fall Out Boy.
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In addition to his wife and daughter, Gilbert is survived by his mother, Jackie and his brother, Brian.
