New Found Glory Guitarist Chad Gilbert Dies at 45

Details of the Passing and Family Statement

The death of Chad Gilbert was announced on Sunday, September 20, 2026, through a joint social media statement from his bandmates and his wife, Lisa Cimorelli. The New Found Glory guitarist passed away surrounded by loved ones after fighting the disease for several years. The announcement noted that he took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, fulfilling his final wishes.

"On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep. 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. We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went. 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."

— New Found Glory and Lisa Cimorelli

Gilbert is survived by his wife, Lisa; their five-year-old daughter, Lily; his mother, Jackie; and his brother, Brian. The band’s statement, signed by Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki, and Dan O'Connor, emphasized Gilbert's "relentless drive" and his role in shaping the group for nearly three decades.

A Long Battle with Cancer

Gilbert had been transparent about his health struggles since 2021, when he was first diagnosed with a rare tumor called a pheochromocytoma. This type of tumor develops in the adrenal glands and can cause severe spikes in blood pressure. Although he was briefly declared "cancer free" in January 2022 after surgery, the disease returned, spreading to his spine and lungs. In August 2025, Gilbert informed fans he was undergoing further treatment for a "small spot" on his back.

In early 2026, Gilbert underwent emergency brain surgery to remove three tumors. The procedure was necessitated after he lost sensation in his left hand and the left side of his body during a performance in Nashville. Doctors eventually revised his diagnosis to stage four adrenocortical carcinoma, described as an aggressive and rare form of adrenal cancer. Despite these challenges, Gilbert remained positive, telling Rolling Stone in April 2026 that he wanted to "inspire and grow a community of people that want to go to our shows and smile."

Career Highlights and Influence on the Rock Scene

Gilbert helped form New Found Glory in 1997 in Coral Springs, Florida. The band became a pillar of the Rock and pop-punk community, achieving massive success with the platinum-selling 2002 album, Sticks and Stones. Throughout his career, Gilbert contributed to more than a dozen studio albums, including the band's 11th release, Listen Up!, which arrived in February 2026. He was the primary lyricist and songwriter for many of the band's hits, such as "Hit or Miss," "My Friends Over You," and "All Downhill From Here."

Beyond his work with New Found Glory, Gilbert was a prolific figure in the music industry. He was formerly the lead vocalist for the hardcore band Shai Hulud and a member of Hazen Street and International Superheroes of Hardcore. As a producer, he worked on albums for artists including A Day to Remember, State Champs, H2O, Terror, and Lisa Loeb.

Tributes from the Music Community

The news of Gilbert's death prompted an immediate outpouring of tributes from across the music world. His longtime bandmate, singer Jordan Pundik, shared a deeply personal reflection on their friendship.

"My brother, my best friend. I’ve never been great with getting my thoughts like this out. It’s hard to even know what to say right now. This feels so wrong. Chad was not only an inspiration to me but also to so many people. He always had a way of pushing me to be a better singer and frontman. He lived and breathed this band but he also lived and breathed for his family and friends... I’ll miss him when it’s time to re watch seasons of the Office for 100th time on the bus. I’ll miss him onstage."

— Jordan Pundik

Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, who has also faced a public battle with cancer, praised Gilbert’s resilience. "These past years he fought his sickness with the soul of a joyous, courageous warrior," Hoppus wrote. Other tributes came from members of Sum 41, Yellowcard, The Offspring, and Bayside. Anthony Raneri of Bayside stated, "Today I say goodbye to one of my best friends. I don’t know what my life is going to look like without him."