Chad Gilbert, New Found Glory Guitarist and Backing Vocalist, Dies at 45

Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist and backing vocalist of the pop-punk group New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45. According to a joint statement from the band and his wife Lisa Cimorelli, Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of September 20th.

Gilbert had been battling cancer, with reports indicating he was diagnosed with brain cancer six months prior to his death, as per Stereogum. However, Consequence provides a more detailed account of his cancer battle, stating that Gilbert had been fighting cancer since 2021, when a rare tumor was removed from his adrenal gland. The cancer later spread to his spine, lungs, back, and brain, requiring multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. In April 2026, Gilbert's diagnosis was revised to stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma.

Gilbert is survived by his wife, Lisa, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian. According to Consequence, he died surrounded by friends and family, with his wife and mother by his side.

Brief written by urgent.news from Variety, Stereogum, Consequence — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.