New Found Glory Frontman Chad Gilbert Dies at 45, Three Months After Returning to the Stage Following Emergency Brain Cancer Surgery
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Chad Gilbert, the guitarist and founding member of New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45 after battling cancer for several years.
Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, September 20, according to an announcement shared by his New Found Glory bandmates and his wife, Lisa Cimorelli. The musician had been receiving cancer treatment since 2021 and had returned to performing just three months before his death after undergoing emergency surgery for brain tumors.
In a statement posted to social media, the band and Cimorelli said Gilbert died surrounded by people close to him, with his wife and mother at his side during his final moments.
The statement described his death as both unexpected and peaceful, while emphasizing the profound impact he had on those around him. Friends and loved ones quickly gathered at the hospital after learning of his condition, reflecting the affection and respect they held for the musician.
Although Gilbert became widely known for his work as a musician, his family remained central to his life. His wife and their daughter, Lily, were particularly important to him, and he had previously spoken about how becoming a husband and father fulfilled one of his greatest personal ambitions.
Earlier this year, Gilbert told PEOPLE that he had achieved what he considered his biggest dream. While music had always been an important goal, he explained that building a family with a loving wife and raising his daughter was ultimately what he had hoped for most.
New Found Glory also paid tribute to Gilbert’s nearly three decades with the band. He helped establish the group in Florida in 1997 and played a major role in its development through his guitar work, songwriting, sense of humor and determination.
Over the course of the band’s career, Gilbert contributed to more than a dozen albums and countless international tours. His bandmates credited him with pushing them to develop not only as musicians and performers but also as people, underscoring the lasting influence he had on New Found Glory.