New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert has died.
The news was confirmed by his band mates a few moments ago in an official statement. Chad Gilbert “passed away peacefully” – he was 45 years old.
The guitarist helped to found the Florida band in the mid 90s, and worked with them across 11 studio albums. Merging punk energy with rock crunch and a clear passion for melody, debut album ‘Nothing Gold Can Stay’ in 1999 sparked a major label bidding war.
2000’s ‘New Found Glory’ was a crossover moment, while 2004 album ‘Catalyst’ showed the Florida group firmly embracing alternative rock within their pop-punk framework.
A much-loved group who both produced valuable work and acted as a gateway for a generation of punk and alt kids, Chad Gilbert played a key role in New Found Glory’s three-decade run.
Diagnosed with cancer in 2022, he underwent intense chemotherapy the following year. Earlier this year, Gilbert underwent emergency brain surgery and in April 2026 he confirmed the cancer diagnosis had changed to Stage 4 Carcinoma.
A full statement from Chad’s family and band mates reads:
On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep. He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished. We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went. The amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was, and always will be. He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.
“Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades. Through more than a dozen albums, endless tours around the world, and more accolades than we ever could have imagined, Chad challenged all of us to grow as musicians, performers, and human beings. While we are devastated to lose him, we are so 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 felt on every stage we stand on, with every note we play.”
Rest in peace, Chad. We love you forever
