Chad Gilbert, the guitarist for New Found Glory, has passed away at the age of 45. He died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Sunday, <a On the morning of <a
“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 favourite 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.”
The remaining members of the band—Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki, and Dan O’Connor—also shared a tribute to their late bandmate.
They wrote: “Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humour, 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.”
Gilbert was first diagnosed with metastatic pheochromocytoma of the liver in 2021 and underwent an additional surgery to address a spinal tumour.
Earlier this year, he lost motor function on the left side of his body. After discovering three new tumours in his brain, doctors performed surgery, which was followed by radiation therapy and an extended period of hospitalization.
Gilbert first gained recognition as the teenage vocalist for Shai Hulud, appearing on the hardcore group’s influential 1997 debut record, Hearts Once Nourished With Hope And Compassion. He co-founded New Found Glory later that decade, and the band soon became a defining act of the early 2000s pop-punk scene.
Outside of his work with the band, Gilbert was a producer who contributed to records for artists such as A Day To Remember, H2O, and Terror. Additionally, he maintained a solo project titled What’s Eating Gilbert and served as the frontman for the New Found Glory hardcore side project, International Superheroes Of Hardcore.
