Chad Gilbert, the founding guitarist of pop-punk band New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45 after a years-long battle with . His death was announced by the band and his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, on Sunday, 20 September.
Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep that morning, surrounded by friends and family, with Cimorelli and his mother, Jackie, by his side, according to the statement shared by the musician’s family and bandmates. He is survived by his wife, their daughter Lily, his mother and his brother Brian.
“We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went,” New Found Glory said in its statement. The band also remembered Gilbert’s guitar playing, songwriting, humour and determination, saying his contribution had shaped the group across nearly three decades.
They also said, “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.”
Gilbert had been living with cancer since 2021. He was initially diagnosed with metastatic pheochromocytoma, a rare form of adrenal cancer, and underwent treatment over several years. His diagnosis was later revised to stage 4 .
Earlier this year, Gilbert underwent emergency brain surgery after doctors discovered three tumours. Despite the severity of his illness, he returned to the stage in June during a New Found Glory show in Nashville. He performed while using a motorised scooter, playing guitar during “Hit or Miss” and “My Friends Over You”. He later described performing in front of his young daughter as something he had not expected to experience again.
His health struggles also became part of the story surrounding New Found Glory’s later music. The band released Make the Most of It in 2023, followed by Listen Up! in February 2026.
Gilbert helped form New Found Glory in in 1997 alongside vocalist Jordan Pundik and bassist Ian Grushka. The band became one of the defining names of the early-2000s pop-punk movement, combining melodic hooks with the energy of and hardcore.
Their 2002 album Sticks and Stones became a major commercial breakthrough, reaching No. 4 on the . It featured songs including “My Friends Over You” and “Head on Collision”. The following album, Catalyst, reached No. 3 in 2004.
Gilbert’s career extended beyond New Found Glory. He was associated with Shai Hulud and International Superheroes of Hardcore, released music under the name What’s Eating Gilbert, and worked as a producer for other rock and punk acts, including A Day to Remember.
