New Found Glory Guitarist Chad Gilbert Dies at 45 Following Cancer Battle

Chad Gilbert, the guitarist and co-founder of pop-punk band New Found Glory, died Sunday at age 45 following a prolonged battle with cancer, his family and band announced.

A joint statement shared by New Found Glory and Gilbert’s wife, musician Lisa Cimorelli, said he died peacefully in his sleep. The announcement followed years of treatment after Gilbert was diagnosed with a rare adrenal cancer that later spread to his brain.

Gilbert helped form New Found Glory in South Florida in 1997 and became a central songwriter and producer in the band’s catalog. The group helped define the melodic pop-punk sound that reached a broad audience in the early 2000s.

He had returned to the stage months before his death following emergency brain surgery. Tributes from fellow musicians and listeners emphasized both his work with New Found Glory and his influence as a producer.

Gilbert is survived by his wife and family. The band’s statement asked for compassion as those closest to him grieve.