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

Chad Everett Gilbert, the visionary lead guitarist, primary songwriter, and foundational pillar of the influential Florida pop-punk band New Found Glory, passed away on September 20 at the age of 45. His passing brings to a close a nearly three-decade career that helped define the sound, ethos, and community of modern pop-punk. Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep at a hospital, surrounded by close friends and family, with his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, and his mother by his side.

The announcement of his death was shared jointly by the band and Cimorelli through social media, prompting an immediate and profound outpouring of grief, tribute, and remembrance from across the global alternative music community. Gilbert’s death comes approximately six months after he publicly disclosed that he was battling aggressive brain cancer, a devastating development in a multi-year medical ordeal that began with a primary liver cancer diagnosis in 2021. Despite enduring arduous medical treatments, multiple surgeries, and the physical toll of his illness, Gilbert maintained a remarkably resilient spirit, continuing to connect with fans and fellow musicians until his final days.

A Pillar of the Pop-Punk Movement: Chronology and Formation

Born in Coral Springs, Florida, Gilbert’s trajectory in music began in the late 1990s when the underground punk and hardcore scenes were coalescing into a more melodic, commercially viable movement. In 1997, at just 17 years old, Gilbert teamed up with vocalist Jordan Pundik, bassist Ian Grushka, and original guitarist Stephen Klein to form New Found Glory. Originally performing under the moniker A New Found Glory, the group quickly distinguished itself through a high-energy blend of traditional punk rock aggression, infectious power-pop hooks, and youthful exuberance.

Gilbert quickly assumed a vital role within the creative engine of the band. While Pundik delivered the distinctive, emotive vocals, Gilbert wrote the vast majority of the band’s musical compositions and lyrics. His knack for crafting indelible guitar riffs and soaring choruses helped propel New Found Glory to the forefront of the early-2000s pop-punk boom.

In 1999, the band released their self-titled sophomore studio album, which featured the breakout single "Hit or Miss." The record caught the attention of major label Drive-Thru Records and subsequently MCA/Geffen, marking a pivotal moment for the genre as independent punk bands began breaking into mainstream commercial consciousness. Two years later, in 2001, New Found Glory released Sticks and Stones, an album that debuted at Number Four on the Billboard 200 and achieved RIAA gold certification. The record housed some of the most enduring anthems of the decade, including "My Friends Over You" and "Head on Collision," both penned by Gilbert. These tracks became cultural touchstones for a generation of alternative music fans, cementing the band’s legacy as pioneers of the genre’s second wave.

Musical Contributions, Collaborations, and Industry Impact

Over the course of nearly 30 years, Gilbert’s influence extended far beyond his work with New Found Glory. He was an industrious collaborator, producer, and mentor within the punk and alternative rock ecosystems. His distinctive guitar work and vocal harmonies left an indelible mark on various seminal projects of the 2000s.

Notably, Gilbert contributed guest vocals to Fall Out Boy’s multi-platinum 2005 breakthrough album, From Under the Cork Tree, and lent his guitar expertise to their 2007 track "The Take Over, The Breaks Over." Furthermore, as a producer, he applied his sharp ear and technical expertise to records by other prominent independent acts, helping shape the sonic landscape of the broader emo and pop-punk revivals.

His personal life also frequently intersected with the alternative music world. Gilbert was previously married to Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams, with whom he shared a high-profile relationship that lasted from their engagement in 2014 until their amicable separation in late 2017. Following his divorce, Gilbert found enduring partnership and happiness with singer Lisa Cimorelli, whom he married and with whom he shared the later years of his life and his journey into fatherhood—a role he frequently cited as his proudest personal accomplishment.

A Multi-Year Battle with Cancer: The Final Chapter

Gilbert’s health struggles began quietly in 2021 when he was diagnosed with liver cancer. True to his reputation for resilience, Gilbert underwent treatment while continuing to engage with his art and his audience. However, the medical battle intensified significantly in early 2024 when doctors discovered three tumors pressing against his brain.

The cerebral tumors resulted in severe neurological symptoms, including the progressive loss of sensation and motor function on the left side of his body, which ultimately rendered him unable to play the guitar or perform live with New Found Glory. Despite these profound physical setbacks, Gilbert maintained a transparent and remarkably optimistic posture regarding his prognosis. In April of the previous year, he participated in an in-depth interview with music publications, discussing the physical and emotional toll of his treatments, which included cutting-edge immunotherapies designed to curb the spread of the disease.

"It felt good to know that there’s still a battle to be going on and that I can recover from this and grow stronger from this," Gilbert remarked during the interview. While acknowledging the inevitable moments of vulnerability and grief, he consistently emphasized a philosophy of community and gratitude. "I have my crying moments where, like everyone, I have to let it out," he said. "But I like that we can turn it around into something positive… It’s always been just to inspire and grow a community of people that want to go to our shows and smile and have a good time."

Even in his absence from the stage, his bandmates ensured his presence remained felt. Earlier this year, during a high-profile performance at the Vans Warped Tour revival stop in Washington, D.C., New Found Glory paused their set to pay tribute to their absent guitarist, leading thousands of fans in a resounding cheer of solidarity. "Give it up for Chad!" the band proclaimed to the packed amphitheater, a testament to the enduring bond shared between the musician and his fanbase.

Tributes and Tributes from the Alternative Music Community

News of Gilbert’s passing precipitated a massive wave of condolences from across the international music community, with artists, producers, and industry figures sharing memories of his boundless energy, kindness, and creative force.

Blink-182 bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, who himself navigated a public battle with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma following a 2021 diagnosis, penned a heartfelt tribute honoring Gilbert’s strength and character. "Chad was the best friend to every person he met. The most positive and creative force in any room he walked into," Hoppus wrote. Reflecting on their shared experiences with severe illness, Hoppus added, "These past years he fought his sickness with the soul of a joyous, courageous warrior. You’ll be sorely missed by more people than you could ever imagine. See you on the other side."

New Found Glory released an extensive statement detailing the shock and devastation felt by his bandmates—Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, and current touring members—as well as the immense gratitude they held for the decades spent by his side.

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

Broader Implications and Legacy

The loss of Chad Gilbert marks the passing of one of the architects of modern American punk rock. While bands of the genre often relied on fast tempos and cynical lyrical themes, Gilbert infused New Found Glory with an unabashed sense of melody, emotional sincerity, and community-driven ethos that paved the way for generations of subsequent alternative bands.

His legacy is codified within the catalog of over a dozen studio albums, countless international tours, and the countless musicians he mentored, produced, and inspired. Beyond the commercial success of gold records and Billboard-charting singles, Gilbert’s enduring imprint remains visible in the communal spaces of rock shows—spaces he dedicated his life to building, sustaining, and filling with optimism. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, his family, his bandmates, and millions of fans worldwide whose lives were touched by his music and indomitable spirit.