Summary (tl;dr)

New Found Glory guitarist and co-founder Chad Gilbert has passed away at the age of 45 after a long battle with cancer, leading to an outpouring of tributes from fans and the music community.

Essential Background

Chad Gilbert was a founding member and lead guitarist of the pop-punk band New Found Glory, which formed in Florida in 1997. He played a pivotal role in shaping the band's sound across more than a dozen albums and nearly three decades. Gilbert was first diagnosed with a rare adrenal cancer, pheochromocytoma, in 2021. He underwent surgery to remove a tumor and part of his liver, but the cancer returned and spread to his spine and lungs in 2022 and 2023.

The Full Story

On the morning of September 20, 2026, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 45, surrounded by his family and friends. Earlier this year, in February, doctors discovered three new tumors in his brain, requiring emergency brain surgery on February 27. In April 2026, he confirmed his cancer diagnosis had changed to Stage 4 Carcinoma. Despite his ongoing health battle, Gilbert made a surprise return to the stage with New Found Glory in Nashville on June 8, performing from a motorized scooter, which he described as a very emotional experience, especially with his daughter in attendance. His passing was confirmed by his bandmates and wife in an official statement.

Why It Matters

Chad Gilbert's death is a significant loss to the pop-punk and alternative music scenes, as he was an influential guitarist and songwriter who helped define the sound of New Found Glory for nearly three decades. His public battle with cancer and his determination to perform despite his illness inspired many. The outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, fellow musicians, and his bandmates highlights his lasting impact as a musician, a husband, and a father.

Geographic Location

• Coral Springs, Florida, United States (New Found Glory founded)
• Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States (Chad Gilbert's surprise performance with New Found Glory)