Chad Gilbert, guitarist and founding member of the American pop-punk band New Found Glory, has passed away at 45 years old. The musician peacefully passed away in his sleep on Sunday, September 20, after several years of battling cancer.
The news was announced by his wife, Lisa Morelli, on Instagram. "On the morning of September 20, Chad Everett Gilbert peacefully passed away in his sleep. He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his last breaths with his wife and mother by his side, as he wished," she explained.
"We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, but also very grateful for how peaceful and serene everything was," added his family, who highlighted the outpouring of affection received in the last hours. "The number of people who gathered in the hospital lobby within minutes shows how much Chad was, and always will be, loved and appreciated."
Gilbert, who was not only a musician but also a producer, leaves behind a daughter, Lily. "He was a legendary musician, but his greatest pride was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true," his wife pointed out. He is also survived by his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.
"His influence will always be part of New Found Glory"
The members of New Found Glory Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki, and Dan O'Connor also publicly bid farewell to their bandmate.
"Chad's guitar playing, songwriting, sense of humor, and tireless determination helped shape New Found Glory for almost three decades," they wrote.
"Throughout more than a dozen albums, countless tours around the world, and more recognition than we could have ever imagined, Chad pushed us all to grow as musicians, artists, and human beings," they added.
The band also highlighted the bond they shared for decades: "Although we are devastated to have lost him, we are deeply 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 present on every stage we step on and in every note we play." "Rest in peace, Chad. We will love you forever," they concluded.
A five-year battle with illness
Gilbert was diagnosed in 2021 with metastatic pheochromocytoma in the liver and had to undergo surgery to remove the tumor. Subsequently, the disease progressed to an adrenocortical carcinoma and spread to other parts of his body.
In January 2022, he was declared cancer-free after doctors removed "half of the liver, the gallbladder, and an adrenal gland." However, the illness reappeared, and the musician had to undergo surgery again to remove a tumor in his spine.
Earlier this year, his health deteriorated. Gilbert lost control of the left side of his body, and doctors discovered three new tumors in his brain. He underwent another operation and radiation therapy, in addition to being hospitalized for an extended period.
Chad Gilbert began his musical career as a teenager as the lead singer of Shai Hulud. He participated in the debut album of the hardcore band, Hearts Once Nourished With Hope And Compassion, released in 1997 and considered one of the genre's standout works.
In the late 1990s, he co-founded New Found Glory, a group that became one of the most recognizable bands in the early 2000s pop-punk movement. The band released over a dozen albums and embarked on numerous international tours.
In addition to his work with New Found Glory, Gilbert pursued a career as a producer and contributed to albums by bands like A Day To Remember, H2O, and Terror. He also launched the solo project What's Eating Gilbert and was the vocalist for International Superheroes Of Hardcore, New Found Glory's hardcore side project.