Chad Everett Gilbert, the founding guitarist and creative force behind New Found Glory, has died. He was 45.
Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 20, surrounded by loved ones, according to an Instagram announcement from his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, and the band.
For nearly three decades, Gilbert's guitar work, songwriting and creative vision shaped one of pop-punk's most influential bands. New Found Glory released more than a dozen studio albums, toured extensively worldwide and created a catalog of anthems that resonated with millions of listeners.
Born in Coral Springs, Florida, in 1981, Gilbert co-founded New Found Glory in 1997 during the genre's early days. The band achieved breakthrough success in 2002 with the album "Sticks and Stones," which reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Tracks like "My Friends Over You" and "Head On Collision" became defining songs of the early 2000s. The album "Catalyst" followed in 2004, climbing to No. 3 and cementing the band's status in the pop-punk pantheon.
Gilbert's artistry was marked by technical precision balanced with emotional accessibility. Alongside vocalist Jordan Pundik, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Cyrus Bolooki, he crafted hooks that were both memorable and musically sophisticated.
Beyond New Found Glory, Gilbert performed with the hardcore band Shai Hulud and collaborated on various side projects, continually pushing himself as a musician.
In February 2024, Gilbert revealed he had been battling stage 4 adrenal cancer since 2021. The disease had metastasized to his spine, lungs and brain. He underwent brain surgery, followed by radiation and immunotherapy.
Despite his illness, Gilbert returned to the stage in June at a New Found Glory show in Nashville, performing from a mobility scooter with his daughter Lily in the audience. "I got to play a show in front of my daughter, something I truly never thought I'd get to do again," he wrote on Instagram afterward.
New Found Glory said in a statement that Gilbert's influence as a performer and human being had shaped them across decades. "His 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."
Gilbert is survived by his wife Lisa, his daughter Lily, his mother Jackie and his brother Brian.
