Chad Gilbert, New Found Glory guitarist, dead at 45

musicSep 20, 202621268

Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist and principal songwriter for New Found Glory, died on the morning of September 20 at age 45, the band and his wife Lisa Cimorelli announced. Gilbert revealed in March that he was battling brain cancer after an initial liver cancer diagnosis in 2021; his band said he passed peacefully in his sleep with his wife and mother at his side. Gilbert helped form New Found Glory in 1997 with Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, and Stephen Klein at age 17 and wrote many of the band's songs, including "My Friends Over You" and "Head on Collision." The band said three tumors had pushed up against his brain and left him unable to perform after he lost sensation down the left side of his body; New Found Glory publicly saluted him at the 2026 Vans Warped Tour stop in Washington, D.C. Gilbert also recorded with other acts, contributed guest vocals on Fall Out Boy's From Under the Cork Tree era, and was previously married to Paramore singer Hayley Williams. Mark Hoppus paid tribute, calling Gilbert "the most positive and creative force in any room" and praising his courage during the illness. The band said Gilbert's guitar playing, songwriting, and humor shaped New Found Glory for nearly three decades and that his influence will be felt on every stage they play.

Stereogum

@stereogum.com

Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist for New Found Glory, is dead at 45 from brain cancer

10019d ago

Quoting this

Sheo25

45 is so young. His daughter is a year younger than Weeo.

J Riley L Hopkins6

This is so fucking sad. Christ.

no, im jory3

Man this sucks really bad. Battling both brain and liver cancer over the last few years had to have been rough. NFG is a major influence on every pop punk band I've loved of the last 2 decades. The self titled, Sticks and Stones, and Understatement are like No Skip albums

ericnewsom.bsky.social3

Saw NFG in 1999 at Tremont in Charlotte with not very many other people and bought their first album Nothing Gold Can Stay because they were so...honestly, so nice. Was happy to see them become a bigger thing in the following years. Don't think I realized just now that we were the same age. RIP.

Dr. Creed Willems, PhD2

Cancer can get fucked Glad he was able to play those last couple shows

lindsey adler

@lindseyadler.bsky.social

chad gilbert from new found glory died. he's like the fifth hardcore/punk guy to die in the last like 6 weeks? brutal.

2219d ago

Sewzinski

@sewzinski.bsky.social

I still remember friends telling me about this band and we listened to it nonstop. Just graduated high school, no clue what I was doing. It was perfect. RIP Chad Gilbert

2019d ago

Metal Injection

@metalinjection.bsky.social

NEW FOUND GLORY Guitarist and Songwriter Chad Gilbert Dead at 45 After Battle With Cancer metalinjection.net/news/new-fou...

1219d ago

Quoting this

Nicholas Fine2

Damn, he was a good guy. It was cool to see those dudes on the way up, being next door to Florida meant all those pop punk and third wave bands were in Alabama all the time as they were getting started.

Chrystal O’Keefe

@chrystalok.bsky.social

New Found Glory was not my first concert ever, but it was the first I got to go to without adult supervision. I was a freshman in high school and I not only had a great time, but I felt so cool. I am so sad to hear that Chad Gilbert passed away and at such a young age. Fuck cancer.

1919d ago

Timothy™️ (Not Tim)

@posttim.bsky.social

Giving the 2026 New Found Glory a listen. “I’m going through a nightmare. But even in that nightmare, there are lessons you can learn and there’s joy you can bring people. I don’t take that pain and waste it. I take it and turn it into joy.” Chad Gilbert. RIP.

1119d ago

Svvan "gone" Ronson a.k.a. Cory Peterson ⚫⚪🟣

@0ronson0.bsky.social

R.I.P. Chad Gilbert who most will remember as New Found Glory's guitarist, but me and mine will always remember him as Shai Hulud's singer even on the last full length they put out, he came back and sang on it. never got to see them with him singing, tho.

1119d ago

Chris Towers is In a Pennant Race

@cptowers.bsky.social

Growing up when I did in South Florida, I have probably seen New Found Glory more than any other band. RIP.

1019d ago

Lavinia[soft butch extraordinaire]

@effeneffervescent.bsky.social

Damn. RIP Chad Gilbert. Both New Found Glory and Shai Hulud had a huge impact in my young life. 2026 can fucking suck it.

919d ago

Katieee120

@katieee120.bsky.social

Man 2026 continues to be brutal. This has hit me hard. New Found Glory is one of my favourite bands & I've been lucky to see them live numerous times This is the first time a musician dying has affected me. This band has had a huge impact on my life and also helped me discover who I am😢 RIP Chad 💙

619d ago

matt oak

@mattoak.bsky.social

man. RIP Chad Gilbert. make fun of me all you want New Found Glory ripped

719d ago

Keith

@skirtingboardshoes.bsky.social

Not Chad Gilbert too!? 😭😭 If you need me I'll be listening to New Found Glory and crying

519d ago

The Festive Owl | Official

@festiveowl.bsky.social

So many memories tied to New Found Glory, and Chad was such a huge part of all of them. Just a gut-wrenching loss. Sending an incredible amount of love and positive energy to his family, friends and everyone who loved him.

619d ago

socalbat

@socalbat.bsky.social

Such sad news to wake up to this morning. Chad and NFG have been such a mainstay in my life over the past 25 years. RIP

Black and white photo of Chad Gilbert from the band New Found Glory with his guitar shared by @23punk_ on Instagram today sharing of his passing.

619d ago

Justin Clark

@justinofclark.bsky.social

1, fuck cancer 2, New Found Glory is, like, mid-aughts pop punk royalty, so I know a slew of younger folks who are not gonna take this well. 3, someone please check on Hayley Williams.

319d ago

3 sources

yahoo.comChad Gilbert, New Found Glory’s Founding Guitarist, Dead at 45 justjared.comNew Found Glory Guitarist Chad Gilbert Passes Away at 45 tmz.comNew Found Glory Guitarist Chad Gilbert Dead at 45

Chad Gilbert, New Found Glory guitarist, dead at 45music

Chad Gilbert, New Found Glory guitarist, dead at 45

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