Chad Gilbert, Founding Member and Lead Guitarist of New Found Glory, Dies at 45 Following Battle with Rare Cancer

The global punk rock and alternative music community is mourning the loss of Chad Gilbert, the visionary lead guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the influential pop-punk band New Found Glory. Gilbert passed away on September 20 at the age of 45, following a courageous and extended multi-year battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. His death marks the conclusion of a remarkable three-decade career that helped define the sonic landscape of modern pop-punk.

Gilbert’s wife, Lisa Cimorelli, announced his passing in a heart-wrenching joint statement issued alongside his bandmates. According to the announcement, Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his closest family and friends. His final moments were spent with his wife and mother by his side, fulfilling his final wishes. The suddenness of his decline left his family and bandmates shocked, yet profoundly grateful for the peaceful manner of his passing and the outpouring of love from the music community.

A Courageous Battle Against Rare and Aggressive Cancer

Gilbert’s health struggles began years prior to his passing. In 2021, he underwent emergency surgery to remove a pheochromocytoma, a rare type of neuroendocrine tumor that develops in the adrenal glands. Although medical teams initially pursued aggressive surgical and therapeutic interventions—including a subsequent surgery in 2022 and grueling rounds of chemotherapy the following year—the illness proved relentless.

In March of this year, medical scans revealed the presence of three new tumors in his brain, prompting emergency neurosurgery. Following this procedure, his diagnosis was officially upgraded from a pheochromocytoma to stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare and highly aggressive metastatic cancer that severely impacts the adrenal cortex. Despite the devastating prognosis, Gilbert continued to face his diagnosis with resilience, supported fiercely by his family, bandmates, and millions of fans worldwide.

Early Life and the Formation of New Found Glory

Born on March 9, 1981, in Coral Springs, Florida, Chad Everett Gilbert displayed an early and profound passion for music. As a teenager, he immersed himself in the burgeoning Florida punk and hardcore scenes, developing the technical precision and melodic sensibilities that would later become the signature sound of New Found Glory.

In 1997, at just 16 years old, Gilbert teamed up with vocalist Jordan Pundik, rhythm guitarist Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka, and original drummer Joe Moreno to form New Found Glory. Driven by an unrelenting work ethic, Gilbert made the pivotal decision to leave high school after completing the 11th grade, just as the band secured a record deal with the influential independent label Drive-Thru Records.

That calculated risk paid off almost immediately. In 1999, New Found Glory released their debut studio album, Nothing Gold Can Stay. The record became a cornerstone of the late-90s and early-2000s pop-punk explosion, bridging the gap between aggressive hardcore punk energy and infectious, hook-laden melodies.

A Lasting Legacy in Pop-Punk and Beyond

Over the next 27 years, Gilbert’s creative vision, blistering guitar work, and prolific songwriting anchored New Found Glory through the release of more than a dozen studio albums. The band toured relentlessly, headlining massive international tours, performing at major festivals, and earning critical acclaim and commercial success with seminal albums such as New Found Glory (2000), Sticks and Stones (2002), and Catalyst (2004)—the latter of which debuted in the top five of the Billboard 200 chart.

Beyond his primary vehicle, Gilbert was a towering figure in the independent punk and hardcore communities. He performed extensively with the influential hardcore band Shai Hulud, lending his distinctive guitar work and creative direction to their early recordings. Additionally, he explored his lighter, power-pop sensibilities through his solo recording project, What’s Eating Gilbert.

Gilbert’s influence extended far beyond the stage. As a highly respected producer and songwriter, he helped shape the sound of a new generation of alternative and rock acts. He famously produced music for prominent bands such as A Day to Remember, helping them hone their signature blend of crushing metalcore and melodic pop-punk, as well as the legendary punk outfit H2O. His ear for arrangement and arrangement structures made him an in-demand collaborator for artists seeking to capture authentic punk energy without sacrificing commercial appeal.

Tributes and Tributes from Bandmates and Loved Ones

In their official statement, Lisa Cimorelli and New Found Glory members Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki, and Dan Higgins reflected on Gilbert’s immense impact on their lives and careers.

"Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades," the statement read. "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."

The statement highlighted the sheer volume of visitors who rushed to the hospital upon hearing the news of his declining health—a testament to the profound warmth, kindness, and loyalty Gilbert exhibited throughout his life. Yet, despite his legendary status in the global music industry, those closest to him emphasized that his greatest pride and joy came from his personal life.

"He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true," the statement continued. Gilbert is survived by his wife, Lisa; his young daughter, Lily; his mother, Jackie; and his brother, Brian.

The Broader Impact on the Alternative Music Landscape

Gilbert’s passing represents a profound loss for the alternative rock and pop-punk genres. Along with his peers, he helped pioneer a subgenre that influenced countless modern bands, ranging from Blink-182 and Fall Out Boy to Paramore and All Time Low. His guitar riffs were foundational templates for thousands of aspiring musicians who picked up instruments in the late 90s and 2000s.

Industry peers, lifelong fans, and major alternative music institutions have flooded social media with tributes, sharing memories of Gilbert’s infectious enthusiasm, boundless energy, and unwavering dedication to the DIY punk ethos.

As New Found Glory prepares to navigate an uncertain future without one of its founding architects, the band members vowed to keep his memory alive. "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 bandmates expressed. "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."

Chad Gilbert’s legacy will endure not only through the timeless recorded catalog he left behind, but also through the hearts of the family, friends, and fans whose lives he touched so deeply across a legendary, music-filled lifetime.