New Found Glory founding guitarist and songwriter Chad Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep on September 20, 2026, surrounded by family. He was 45.
The news came in a joint statement shared by his bandmates and his wife, singer Lisa Cimorelli. The family confirmed the veteran pop-punk pioneer took his final breaths surrounded by loved ones, with his wife and his mother Jackie at his side.
The Short Version
- Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist and songwriter of New Found Glory, died on September 20, 2026, at age 45.
- His death was confirmed jointly by New Found Glory and his wife, singer Lisa Cimorelli.
- Gilbert had been battling stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma since December 2021.
- Despite undergoing brain surgery earlier in 2026, he managed a brief, celebrated return to the live stage in June.
- He is survived by his wife Lisa, daughter Lily, mother Jackie, and brother Brian.
An Unexpected Heartbreak for the Pop-Punk Scene
The announcement arrived on social media, shaking fans who grew up listening to the Florida band throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. The joint message released by New Found Glory and Lisa Cimorelli confirmed the timeline of his peaceful final morning.
According to Consequence, the statement explained: “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.”
The Los Angeles Times and The Guardian both reported on the massive outpouring that immediately followed across the rock community. For fans tracking Gilbert’s health across several years, the sudden announcement was a devastating blow. His bandmates made it clear that while his health had grown increasingly fragile, his final hours were calm, gentle, and shared entirely with the people he loved most.
Gilbert had spent nearly three decades serving as the creative engine of New Found Glory. His stage energy remained an enduring fixture of the alternative rock circuit, making the final confirmation of his passing hit especially hard for both long-time listeners and touring contemporaries.
Inside His Five-Year Fight with Adrenocortical Carcinoma
Gilbert first experienced major health complications in December 2021, when he was rushed to the hospital after suffering severe hypoglycemia. Doctors quickly discovered an 8-inch tumor on his adrenal gland, requiring immediate emergency surgery to remove it.
The diagnosis that followed was stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma, an extremely rare and aggressive cancer. Rather than retreating quietly from public life, Gilbert decided to share every step of the journey directly with his fans on social media. He posted updates about scans, radiation, surgeries, and the daily grind of treatment with complete honesty.
That transparency became a lifeline for others dealing with similar battles. He never sugarcoated the harsh reality of living with metastatic disease. Instead, he regularly expressed deep gratitude for his medical staff, his family, and every extra month he had to play music.
The fight grew significantly steeper in April 2026, when Gilbert revealed that the cancer had spread to his brain. He underwent specialized brain surgery and endured repeated hospital stays to manage the progression of the disease. His updates remained centered on his desire to keep going for his wife and young child.
Against extraordinary odds, Gilbert managed to rejoin his bandmates on stage just two months later in June 2026. The brief appearance gave fans a final, uplifting memory of the guitarist doing what he loved best. Standing under the stage lights with his guitar strapped over his shoulder, he proved how much music still meant to him even amid intense medical treatment.
The Riffs That Defined Modern Pop-Punk
Gilbert originally co-founded A New Found Glory in Coral Springs, Florida, back in 1997 alongside Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, and Steve Klein. The group quickly stood out from the local scene by fusing fast hardcore tempo changes with clean, irresistible pop hooks. Readers can explore that golden era further through our look back at Warped Tour History.
The band dropped the “A” from their moniker and exploded into mainstream consciousness with their 2002 smash album, Sticks and Stones. The record earned widespread commercial acclaim and cemented their place in rock history, propelled by the genre-defining single “My Friends Over You.” Discover more about the landmark records of that era in our guide to the New Found Glory Discography.
Gilbert was the central musical architect for that sound. He crafted the driving guitar hooks, heavy downstrokes, and upbeat choruses that became a blueprint for an entire wave of 2000s Pop-Punk Bands. His distinct playing style showed that high-energy rock could remain aggressively punchy while remaining catchy enough for top-40 radio.
Beyond his guitar work, Gilbert served as a primary songwriter, lyricist, and backing vocalist. He provided the driving sonic bite behind Jordan Pundik’s bright lead vocals. Gilbert’s presence established a sound that would influence countless acts across modern Alternative Rock News.
Tributes Pour In: ‘Words Fall So Short’
Following the news, Gilbert’s wife shared an emotional personal message on social media. ABC10 reported her grief-stricken words: “Words fall so short. I said goodbye to the love of my life and the father of my child this morning. There just are no words.”
Her tribute was accompanied by heartfelt words from Gilbert’s lifelong bandmates. Global News reported the band’s reflection on his immense artistic influence: “Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades.”
He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father.
Colleagues and fellow musicians throughout the alternative rock world reacted to the loss right away. Longtime friends like Dashboard Confessional frontman Chris Carrabba, alongside countless touring partners from the 2000s festival circuits, shared messages honoring his generosity and relentless creative drive.
Peers remembered him not just as a sharp musician, but as someone who consistently lifted other artists up. Whether producing records, lending advice to younger bands, or cheering on tour mates from the side of the stage, Gilbert maintained an unwavering love for the heavy music scene he helped create.
A Father, a Husband, and a Lasting Legacy
Despite his status as a foundational pop-punk guitarist, Gilbert always viewed his domestic life as his biggest success. He married musician Lisa Cimorelli in 2020, and the two welcomed their daughter, Lily, who became the center of his universe.
Consequence reported that the official joint family statement highlighted that priority above everything else: “He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.”
Gilbert is survived by his wife Lisa, his daughter Lily, his mother Jackie, and his brother Brian. His family remembered him as a grounded family man whose greatest joy was spending quiet mornings at home rather than counting record sales or industry accolades.
The alternative music community now turns to the vast catalog he built over 29 years. Gilbert’s powerful riffs, infectious melodies, and fighting spirit remain an indelible part of modern rock history. Whenever fans press play on those timeless opening chords, his voice and guitar will keep ringing out clear and loud.
Questions People Are Asking
What happened to Chad Gilbert?
Chad Gilbert passed away on the morning of September 20, 2026, at age 45, following a battle with stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma.
What was Chad Gilbert’s cause of death?
Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by loved ones, with his wife Lisa Cimorelli and mother Jackie by his side, following complications from metastatic cancer.
Who is Chad Gilbert’s wife?
Chad Gilbert was married to singer Lisa Cimorelli. The couple married in 2020 and shared a daughter, Lily.
What band was Chad Gilbert in?
Chad Gilbert co-founded the Florida pop-punk outfit New Found Glory in 1997, serving as the band’s lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and primary songwriter.
