Chad Gilbert, the guitarist and songwriter whose sharp, melodic riffs helped make New Found Glory one of pop-punkâs defining bands, has died at the age of 45.
Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Sunday, September 20, according to a joint statement shared by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, and New Found Glory. He was surrounded by friends and relatives, with his wife and mother beside him during his final moments.
âWe are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went,â the statement said. His family added that the number of people who gathered at the hospital at short notice showed how deeply he was loved.
Gilbert had lived with cancer for several years. Although the statement announcing his death did not give a formal medical cause, it followed his public battle with stage-four adrenal cancer and surgery earlier this year to remove three tumours from his brain.
From Floridaâs hardcore scene to a pop-punk legacy
Born Chad Everett Gilbert in Coral Springs, Florida, on March 9, 1981, he entered the hardcore scene as a teenager. Before New Found Glory, he was the vocalist for influential hardcore group Shai Hulud, performing with the band from 1995 to 1998 and later returning for another period.
Gilbert joined New Found Glory shortly after the band formed in 1997. Alongside Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka and Cyrus Bolooki, he helped build a sound that paired hardcore energy with bright melodies and emotionally direct songwriting. His lead guitar and backing vocals became central to songs including âHit or Miss,â âMy Friends Over Youâ and âSonny.â
The groupâs self-titled album, Sticks and Stones and Catalyst all received US sales certifications. The Recording Industry Association of America lists Sticks and Stones as platinum and the bandâs self-titled record and Catalyst as gold. âMy Friends Over You,â one of the eraâs most recognisable pop-punk singles, was also certified gold.
His work extended far beyond his own band. Gilbert produced three important A Day to Remember albumsâHomesick, What Separates Me from You and Common Courtesyâas well as H2Oâs Nothing to Prove and Use Your Voice. He also produced State Champsâ debut album, The Finer Things, helping shape a younger generation of pop-punk and melodic-hardcore acts.
He explored a lighter, retro-influenced sound through his solo project Whatâs Eating Gilbert and fronted New Found Gloryâs hardcore side project, International Superheroes of Hardcore. The breadth of those projects reflected a career that reached well beyond the guitar parts for which casual listeners knew him.
New Found Glory released Listen Up! in February 2026. It became Gilbertâs final studio album with the group and carried a message of hope written during the most difficult period of his illness.
Wife Lisa Cimorelli, daughter Lily and his cancer battle
Gilbert married singer Lisa Cimorelli, a member of the family vocal group Cimorelli, in October 2020. Their daughter, Lily, was born in July 2021. The family statement said he is also survived by his mother, Jackie, and brother, Brian.
His illness began publicly in late 2021, when Cimorelli found him unresponsive at home. Doctors discovered a rare tumour involving his adrenal gland. Gilbert underwent major surgery, which included the removal of an adrenal gland, gallbladder and part of his liver. The disease later returned and spread to his spine and lungs.
In February 2026, weakness in his left hand and leg led doctors to find three brain tumours. He underwent emergency surgery on February 27 and regained movement in his hand immediately, according to an update reported by People. His diagnosis was later described as stage-four adrenocortical carcinoma.
Gilbert returned to a New Found Glory stage in Nashville in June, playing âHit or Missâ and âMy Friends Over Youâ from a motorised scooter. The appearance carried special meaning because it was the first time Lily had watched her father perform. He wrote afterward that it was something he once feared he would never get to do.
In one of his final major interviews, Gilbert said music had been a lifelong dream, but family was the dream that mattered most. âI got my dream,â he told People, referring to his wife and daughter.
That thought was echoed in the announcement of his death: âHe was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.â
His bandmates said Gilbertâs guitar playing, songwriting, humour and drive had shaped New Found Glory for nearly three decades. âHis 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,â the statement read.
This is a developing story and will be updated if the family or band releases further information.
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