Chad Gilbert, Founding Guitarist of New Found Glory, Passes Away at 45

WHO:

NBC News - Chad Gilbert is survived by his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.

Variety - Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist and backing vocalist of New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45.

TMZ - Gilbert was a lead guitarist and founding member of New Found Glory.

Variety - Gilbert was the former husband of Paramore's Hayley Williams.

Variety - Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, confirmed his death alongside the band.

WHAT:

Billboard - Gilbert's death comes six months after he revealed his cancer battle.

NBC News - The band New Found Glory has two upcoming shows scheduled for October and November, including the Vans Warped Tour Orlando.

NBC News - Gilbert's bandmates stated, "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."

Fox News - Gilbert's recovery was described as "bumpy at times," but he reported feeling much better and getting stronger by the day.

NBC News - Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, stated, "He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father."

Fox News - Gilbert's bandmates expressed gratitude for the "incredible life he lived, the memories we shared, and the brotherhood we had."

Fox News - Gilbert's band New Found Glory has released 12 studio albums and toured extensively around the world.

NBC News - Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, stated, "We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went."

NBC News - The band New Found Glory expressed that Gilbert's "guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades."

NBC News - Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, stated that the additional prognosis allowed for “a much shorter lifespan than he’s already lived.”

Fox News - Gilbert had been open about his battle with stage 4 adrenal cancer that was first diagnosed in 2021 and later spread to his spine, lungs, and brain.

Fox News - Gilbert was initially diagnosed with metastatic pheochromocytoma, a rare adrenal gland cancer, in which the tumor grows inside the inner part of the adrenal gland.

Fox News - Gilbert underwent radiation and immunotherapy to treat the two remaining tumors after his emergency surgery.

Fox News - Gilbert returned to the stage in June, performing with New Found Glory during their tour stop in Nashville, Tennessee, using a mobility scooter.

Fox News - Gilbert shared that he got to play a show in front of his daughter, something he truly never thought he’d get to do again.

NBC News - Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, stated that the amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was.

NBC News - Gilbert's daughter, Lily, is 5 years old.

NBC News - Gilbert was previously married to Eisley singer Sherri DuPree in 2007, but they split later that year.

Fox News - Gilbert was also married to Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams from 2016 to 2017.

NBC News - Gilbert had been receiving treatment for adrenal cancer since 2021 and was diagnosed with Stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma.

NBC News - New Found Glory's most recent album, “Listen Up!”, was released in February.

NBC News - The band has two upcoming shows scheduled for October and November, including the Vans Warped Tour Orlando.

Deadline - Gilbert "passed away peacefully in his sleep," following his emergency brain surgery in March when three tumors were discovered and his metastatic pheochromocytoma was upgraded to stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma.

Variety - Chad Gilbert passed away peacefully.

TMZ - The band announced Gilbert's death on social media, expressing they were "devastated and shocked" by his passing.

Rolling Stone Music - Gilbert had revealed in March that he was battling brain cancer.

WHERE:

Rolling Stone Music - Gilbert was a longtime member of the Florida pop-punk group New Found Glory.

WHEN:

Variety - Chad Gilbert passed away on September 20th.

WHY:

NBC News - Gilbert's wife noted that the number of visitors in the hospital lobby was a testament to how beloved and cherished he was.

NBC News - Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, stated that the amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was.

NBC News - Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, stated that the additional prognosis allowed for “a much shorter lifespan than he’s already lived.”

Rolling Stone Music - Gilbert was battling brain cancer prior to his death.

HOW:

Variety - The band and Gilbert's wife confirmed his death through a joint statement on social media.

NBC News - The band and Gilbert’s wife confirmed that he "took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished."

NBC News - Gilbert's bandmates stated, "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."

Fox News - Gilbert's recovery was described as "bumpy at times," but he reported feeling much better and getting stronger by the day.

Fox News - Gilbert underwent radiation and immunotherapy to treat the two remaining tumors after his emergency surgery.

NBC News - The band and Gilbert’s wife confirmed that 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."

Variety - The band and Gilbert's wife confirmed his death through a joint statement on social media.

(UPDATED September 21, 2026 19:57 UTC)

Tragically, the band New Found Glory has announced the death of their beloved member, Gilbert, just six months after he bravely shared his battle with cancer. In a heartfelt joint statement, the band and Gilbert's wife expressed that his influence will always be part of New Found Glory, and his spirit will be felt on every stage they perform on. Looking ahead, the band has two upcoming shows scheduled for October and November, including a performance at the Vans Warped Tour in Orlando.

(UPDATED September 21, 2026 14:58 UTC)

Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, shared that he was a legendary musician, but his greatest pride was being a husband and father. His bandmates from New Found Glory expressed their gratitude for the incredible life he lived and the brotherhood they shared, while the band confirmed that Gilbert took his final breaths surrounded by his wife and mother, just as he wished. New Found Glory, known for their extensive touring and twelve studio albums, will undoubtedly carry his legacy forward.

(UPDATED September 21, 2026 10:55 UTC)

Chad Gilbert, a beloved member of the band New Found Glory, is survived by his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian. His wife, Lisa Cimorelli, expressed their devastation over his sudden passing, while also highlighting the love and support shown by the many visitors in the hospital lobby. The bandmates reflected on Gilbert's lasting impact, stating that his influence will forever be a part of New Found Glory, with his spirit felt on every stage and in every note they play.

(UPDATED September 21, 2026 03:59 UTC)

Chad Gilbert, who has been battling stage 4 adrenal cancer since his diagnosis in 2021, has received a prognosis indicating a much shorter lifespan than he has already lived, according to his wife, Lisa Cimorelli. Despite the challenges of his illness, which included emergency surgery and treatment for tumors, Gilbert returned to the stage in June, performing with New Found Glory in Nashville, where he had the special opportunity to play for his daughter. The outpouring of support from visitors at the hospital highlights just how beloved Chad is, as he continues to report feeling better and getting stronger each day.

(UPDATED September 21, 2026 01:23 UTC)

Chad Gilbert's wife, Lisa Cimorelli, expressed that the overwhelming number of visitors at the hospital lobby reflects just how beloved he was. Gilbert, who is the father of a five-year-old daughter named Lily, previously had marriages with Eisley singer Sherri DuPree in 2007 and Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams from 2016 to 2017. He has been undergoing radiation and immunotherapy to address the two remaining tumors following his emergency surgery.

(UPDATED September 20, 2026 22:57 UTC)

Tragically, Gilbert has passed away after battling Stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma, a diagnosis he received while undergoing treatment for adrenal cancer since 2021. His wife, Lisa Cimorelli, shared that the prognosis indicated a much shorter lifespan than he had already lived, and it was confirmed that he left this world surrounded by friends and family, taking his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side. Meanwhile, New Found Glory's most recent album, “Listen Up!”, was released in February, and the band has two upcoming shows scheduled for October and November, including a performance at the Vans Warped Tour Orlando.

(UPDATED September 20, 2026 21:56 UTC)

Gilbert has passed away peacefully in his sleep following a battle with cancer. He underwent emergency brain surgery in March after three tumors were discovered, and his condition was later upgraded to stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma due to metastatic pheochromocytoma. This news comes as a significant loss to many who admired his work and spirit.

(UPDATED September 20, 2026 20:56 UTC)

Chad Gilbert, the founding guitarist and backing vocalist of New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45 after a battle with brain cancer. His passing was confirmed by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, alongside the band, who expressed their devastation and shock on social media. Gilbert was a longtime member of the Florida pop-punk group and was previously married to Paramore's Hayley Williams.