Chad Gilbert, a founding member and lead guitarist of the influential pop-punk band New Found Glory, has passed away at the age of 45.

The death of the beloved musician was confirmed Sunday, September 20, by his bandmates and his wife, Lisa Cimorelli. Mr. Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his immediate family, marking the conclusion of a courageous and highly public six-month battle with a recurring and aggressive form of cancer. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the global music community, prompting an outpouring of grief from peers, collaborators, and the millions of fans who grew up listening to the band’s high-energy sound.

A Legacy of Pop-Punk Innovation

Formed in 1997 in Coral Springs, Florida, New Found Glory became a cornerstone of the late-90s and early-2000s pop-punk explosion. The band, originally consisting of Jordan Pundik on vocals, Chad Gilbert on guitar, Ian Grushka on bass, and Cyrus Bolooki on drums, helped define a genre that bridged the gap between underground hardcore ethics and mainstream radio accessibility.

Throughout their nearly three-decade career, New Found Glory released 11 studio albums, including their most recent offering, Listen Up!, which arrived in February 2025. Mr. Gilbert’s role in the band extended far beyond the stage; he was a prolific songwriter and a creative engine whose influence helped steer the band through multiple stylistic shifts while maintaining a loyal, multi-generational fanbase.

A Chronicled Health Journey

Mr. Gilbert’s health struggles were well-documented, reflecting a period of intense personal adversity that he faced with remarkable transparency. The sequence of his medical challenges began in December 2021, when his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, discovered him unresponsive in their home. Following an emergency medical intervention, he was diagnosed with a rare pheochromocytoma—a neuroendocrine tumor that develops on the adrenal gland.

The tumor, which secretes hormones that can drastically elevate blood pressure and disrupt metabolic function, necessitated a complex surgical approach. Despite the severity of the diagnosis, Mr. Gilbert remained active in his professional life, even as he managed the long-term effects of the condition.

The situation grew more critical in early 2025. In March, Mr. Gilbert shared updates from his hospital bed regarding surgery to remove three brain tumors. The emergency procedure was prompted by a frightening incident during a concert in Nashville, where he experienced a loss of motor control in his left hand while performing—a devastating development for a career musician. By August 2025, he informed his supporters that the cancer had metastasized to his lungs and spine, and he continued to undergo intensive treatment, including the identification of a secondary tumor on his back.

The Final Days and Official Statements

The band’s official statement reflected the sudden nature of his passing despite his ongoing health challenges. "On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep," the band noted in a collective statement signed by Pundik, Grushka, Bolooki, and touring guitarist Dan O’Connor, alongside Cimorelli.

The band highlighted the overwhelming response from the community, noting that the hospital lobby was crowded with friends and colleagues who had arrived at a moment’s notice to pay their respects. This, the band stated, was a testament to his character as both a musician and a human being. While he reached the pinnacle of rock stardom, his bandmates emphasized that his greatest pride remained his roles as a husband and a father.

Industry Reactions and Tributes

The death of a figure as central to the pop-punk scene as Chad Gilbert has elicited profound reactions from the industry’s most prominent artists. The interconnected nature of the early 2000s Warped Tour scene, of which New Found Glory was a perennial headliner, meant that Gilbert had cultivated deep personal and professional bonds with peers across the genre.

Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, who has himself been open about his own experience with cancer, issued a poignant tribute on social media. Hoppus praised Gilbert for his unwavering positivity and described him as a "joyous, courageous warrior." He noted that throughout his illness, Gilbert never succumbed to bitterness, instead choosing to focus on the gratitude he felt for his life and his family.

William Ryan Key, the former lead singer of Yellowcard, credited Gilbert with saving his career. Key shared that when Yellowcard disbanded in 2017, it was Gilbert’s persistent encouragement and mentorship that provided him the confidence to remain in the industry and continue creating music. Similarly, Anthony Raneri of Bayside spoke to the loss of a "best friend," lamenting the absence of the vibrant energy Gilbert brought into every professional and personal space he occupied.

Implications for the Future of New Found Glory

The death of a founding member presents an existential challenge for any band, particularly one that has remained as active as New Found Glory. With 11 albums to their name and a consistent touring schedule, the group has long functioned as a tightly knit unit.

Industry analysts suggest that the loss of a primary songwriter and guitarist will significantly alter the band’s trajectory. Historically, bands that lose founding members often take extended hiatuses to process the loss before deciding on a path forward. However, given the band’s long history and the emphasis they placed on Gilbert’s "spirit" being felt "on every stage we stand on," it is likely that his influence will continue to define their future creative output, even if the band’s internal structure must undergo significant changes.

The success of Listen Up! in early 2025 provided the band with a recent creative peak, and the tour that followed allowed them to connect with fans in a way that now serves as a final, unintentional farewell to their longtime guitarist.

A Chronology of a Career

• 1997: New Found Glory is founded in Coral Springs, Florida.
• 2000s: The band achieves mainstream success with albums like Sticks and Stones and Catalyst, cementing their status in the pop-punk pantheon.
• December 2021: Gilbert suffers a health crisis and is diagnosed with a pheochromocytoma after being found unresponsive.
• March 2025: Gilbert undergoes emergency surgery to remove three brain tumors after losing hand function during a live performance in Nashville.
• August 2025: Gilbert discloses that his cancer has spread to his lungs and spine, and he begins treatment for a new growth on his back.
• February 2026: The band releases their 11th studio album, Listen Up!, and embarks on a national tour.
• September 20, 2026: Chad Gilbert passes away at age 45.

Conclusion

Chad Gilbert’s contribution to music extends beyond the technical proficiency of his guitar playing or the success of his discography. He represented a bridge between generations of punk rock, a mentor to younger musicians, and a steadfast friend to those who shared the road with him.

As the music community continues to process his death, the focus remains on the immense catalog of work he leaves behind and the enduring impact he had on the culture of the genre. While the industry mourns a "legend," his family and bandmates have asked for space to grieve, leaving behind a legacy characterized by resilience, creativity, and an infectious, positive spirit that defined the better part of three decades in music. The loss is not merely one of a musician, but of a central figure whose presence was, as many of his peers noted, essential to the life and energy of the entire scene.