Chad Gilbert Dies at 45

Chad Gilbert, the founding guitarist and songwriter of New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45. The Florida pop-punk band's members and Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, announced his death on September 20, 2026, saying that he passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family and friends. His death comes after years of cancer treatment and only months after he publicly discussed his battle with brain tumors. For fans searching for the latest Chad Gilbert news, his passing marks the loss of one of the musicians who helped shape modern pop-punk.

Chad Gilbert Dies at 45

Gilbert died on the morning of September 20, according to the statement shared by New Found Glory and Cimorelli. His wife and mother were by his side during his final moments. The statement described his death as peaceful but said his family, friends, and bandmates were shocked by how quickly his condition changed.
The family also remembered Gilbert beyond his career as a musician. They described him as a husband and father who considered his family his greatest achievement. Gilbert is survived by his wife Lisa, their daughter Lily, his mother Jackie, and his brother Brian.

A Cause of Death Has Not Been Announced

Gilbert had been dealing with cancer for several years, but his family and bandmates did not publicly give an official cause of death in their announcement.
His cancer journey had become known to fans, particularly during 2026. He had previously been diagnosed with a rare adrenal cancer in 2021 and later revealed that doctors had discovered three tumors affecting his brain. He underwent emergency brain surgery in February 2026 and continued updating supporters about his recovery and treatment.
It is important to distinguish his documented medical history from an official cause of death. Current reports describe his long cancer battle, but the death announcement itself did not specify a medical cause.

The Founding of New Found Glory

Gilbert was a central figure in New Found Glory from the band's beginning in Florida in 1997. He formed the group with Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Steve Klein, and other early members as the band developed within the American punk and hardcore scene.
New Found Glory eventually became one of the most recognizable bands associated with the pop-punk explosion of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Gilbert's guitar work and songwriting were important components of the band's identity as it moved from the underground scene toward a much larger international audience.
The band's early releases helped establish its energetic combination of punk guitars, melodic hooks, fast rhythms, and emotionally direct lyrics.

Breaking Through With Sticks and Stones

New Found Glory reached a much wider audience with the release of Sticks and Stones in 2002.
The album included “My Friends Over You,” one of the band's best-known songs and a defining track of the early-2000s pop-punk era. The band's growing popularity helped place New Found Glory alongside other major acts that were bringing pop-punk into the mainstream.
Gilbert's contributions extended beyond simply performing guitar parts. He was involved in songwriting and the creative development of the band's music, making him one of the key figures behind its sound.

Nearly Three Decades With New Found Glory

Gilbert remained connected to New Found Glory throughout most of the band's nearly three-decade history.
According to the band's statement, his guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and drive helped shape the group across more than a dozen albums and years of touring around the world. The band said his influence would continue to be felt through its music and live performances.
His death also comes shortly after the release of New Found Glory's 2026 album, Listen Up!. Variety reported that Gilbert performed on the band's albums from its 1999 debut through the new record.
That makes his passing particularly significant for longtime fans, because Gilbert remained part of the band's musical story almost until the end of his life.

Returning to the Stage

Despite his health problems, Gilbert continued trying to perform.
After his brain surgery, he eventually returned to the stage with New Found Glory in June 2026. Reports said he performed in Nashville on June 15, an emotional moment after an extended period away from live performances.
Gilbert had previously spoken about how meaningful it was to perform again, particularly because he was able to have his daughter watch him play. His return demonstrated how strongly he remained connected to performing even while dealing with serious health challenges.
Earlier in the year, his condition had prevented him from performing normally after he experienced loss of sensation on the left side of his body. His health struggles became part of the public story surrounding New Found Glory's 2026 activities.

His Work Beyond New Found Glory

Gilbert's musical career extended beyond New Found Glory.
Before and alongside his work with the band, he was involved with Shai Hulud, the influential hardcore group with which he served as a vocalist. He also participated in projects including International Superheroes of Hardcore and other musical collaborations.
His work as a songwriter and musician also connected him with other artists across the punk and alternative music scene. These projects demonstrated that his influence was not limited to the commercial pop-punk sound that made New Found Glory famous.

A Major Figure in Pop-Punk

Gilbert's importance to pop-punk goes beyond the band's discography.
New Found Glory emerged during a period when punk-influenced music was reaching a much larger mainstream audience. Alongside groups such as Blink-182, Sum 41, Good Charlotte, and other acts, the band helped define the sound and culture associated with early-2000s pop-punk.
New Found Glory's music combined fast punk instrumentation with catchy melodies and personal themes, creating songs that became closely associated with a generation of listeners.
Gilbert's role as a guitarist and songwriter made him an important part of that movement. His work influenced not only New Found Glory's albums but also the wider community of musicians who came through the pop-punk and alternative scenes.

Tributes From Fellow Musicians

News of Gilbert's death quickly prompted tributes from musicians who knew him and worked alongside him.
Blink-182's Mark Hoppus was among those who publicly remembered Gilbert, describing him as a positive and creative presence and reflecting on the strength he showed during his illness.
The response from fellow musicians reflects the breadth of Gilbert's connections within punk, hardcore, and alternative music. His career included collaborations, touring relationships, songwriting connections, and friendships that extended well beyond New Found Glory.
For many musicians in the scene, Gilbert represented a link between the hardcore and pop-punk communities that developed during the 1990s and expanded dramatically during the following decade.

His Legacy With New Found Glory

The band has emphasized that Gilbert's influence will remain part of New Found Glory's identity.
That legacy can be heard through the band's extensive catalog, from its early records to its most recognizable mainstream releases and its later albums. His guitar playing and songwriting helped establish a sound that remained recognizable through numerous changes in the music industry.
New Found Glory continued touring and recording as streaming, social media, and new generations of pop-punk listeners changed how bands reached audiences. Gilbert remained connected to that evolution throughout his career.
His contribution therefore spans more than a specific period of pop-punk. It covers almost 30 years of recording, touring, collaboration, and songwriting.

A Final Chapter After a Long Career

Gilbert's final years were marked by a difficult health journey, but also by continued involvement with music and family.
He remained open with fans about his treatment and recovery, and his return to the stage in 2026 gave him an opportunity to perform again after doctors discovered the brain tumors.
His family and bandmates have emphasized the personal side of his life in their statements, remembering him not only as a musician but also as a husband and father.
That perspective is particularly important when remembering a musician whose public career lasted for decades. Gilbert's professional achievements were extensive, but the people closest to him ultimately highlighted the relationships and family life that mattered most to him.

Final Thoughts

Chad Gilbert's death at 45 marks a significant loss for the pop-punk community. As a founding member, guitarist, and songwriter of New Found Glory, he helped build a band that became one of the defining names of the genre's rise during the late 1990s and early 2000s. His work continued through the band's 2026 album and his brief return to live performance earlier this year.
The full impact of his career can be seen in New Found Glory's long discography, international tours, collaborations, and the musicians who have remembered him following his death. While the circumstances surrounding his final days were deeply personal, the band's statement makes clear that Gilbert's influence will remain part of its music.
For generations of pop-punk listeners, his guitar work and songwriting will remain connected to a period when the genre moved from underground scenes into the mainstream. Chad Gilbert leaves behind a substantial musical legacy, as well as a family, bandmates, and fans who will continue to remember his contribution to the music they love.