NEW FOUND GLORY Guitarist CHAD GILBERT Dead At 45

Guitarist Chad Gilbert of the long-running pop-punk band NEW FOUND GLORY has died after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 45 years old.

Gilbert's passing was announced via a social media post earlier today (Sunday, September 20). The message, signed by Chad's wife Lisa Cimorelli and bandmates Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki and Dan O'Connor, reads as follows: " 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. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.

"Chad's guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape NEW FOUND GLORY for nearly three decades. 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.

"Rest in peace, Chad. We love you forever."

Less than five years ago, Gilbert, who co-founded NEW FOUND GLORY in 1997, revealed that he was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, a rare type of tumor that develops in the adrenal glands, small glands on the top of the kidneys.

A week after his December 2021 diagnosis, the musician underwent successful surgery to remove the tumor and declared in late January 2022 that he was "cancer free". That same year, however, doctors discovered another tumor in his spine, leading to further surgery.

In August 2025, Chad revealed that he was undergoing further treatment after doctors had discovered a "small spot in my back."

Earlier this year, Gilbert underwent brain surgery after three tumors were discovered. He later said doctors had revised his diagnosis to stage four adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of adrenal cancer.

NEW FOUND GLORY are often referred to as the "godfathers" of pop-punk, as they are credited with defining the genre in the early 2000s.

Gilbert shares a five-year-old daughter with Cimorelli.

The pair were married in March 2020.