Chad Gilbert, the founding guitarist and songwriter of New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45. The musician’s death was announced on September 20, 2026, by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, and his New Found Glory bandmates.
According to the statement reported by multiple outlets, Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family and friends, with his wife and mother by his side. He had spent years battling cancer and had undergone major treatment, including emergency brain surgery earlier in 2026.
His death marks the loss of one of the musicians most closely associated with the rise and development of American pop-punk from the late 1990s through the 2000s and into the modern era.
Chad Gilbert Death: What We Know
Chad Gilbert died on September 20, 2026, at age 45.
His family and New Found Glory confirmed the death in a joint statement. The statement said Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep and was surrounded by loved ones during his final moments. His wife Lisa Cimorelli and his mother Jackie were reportedly at his side.
Gilbert’s death followed a prolonged cancer journey that had publicly affected his health and ability to perform.
Important: Although Gilbert had been battling advanced cancer, reports have not established a separate official medical cause of death beyond the family’s announcement. It is therefore more accurate to describe his death as occurring after a prolonged cancer battle rather than claiming a specific immediate cause without an official determination.
Chad Gilbert’s Cancer Battle
Gilbert had been dealing with cancer for several years.
People reported that he was initially diagnosed with metastatic pheochromocytoma in 2021, a rare cancer associated with adrenal-gland tissue. His diagnosis later evolved into adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), described in reporting as a more aggressive form of adrenal cancer.
His health challenges became especially serious in early 2026.
In February, Gilbert experienced weakness and other neurological symptoms. Medical examinations revealed three brain tumors, leading to emergency surgery. He subsequently underwent radiation treatment and a difficult recovery.
Despite the seriousness of his condition, Gilbert continued working on music and remained connected with his band and fans.
Chad Gilbert’s Emotional Return to the Stage
One of the most memorable moments of Gilbert’s final year came when he returned to the stage with New Found Glory.
In June 2026, he performed with the band in Nashville for the first time since his February brain surgery.
Gilbert performed from a motorized scooter and played guitar during songs including “Hit or Miss” and “My Friends Over You.”
The performance carried particular personal significance because Gilbert said it was the first time he had performed in front of his young daughter.
He expressed gratitude toward his family, medical team and fans following the performance.
That June appearance became one of the final major public musical moments of his career.
New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert Legacy
Gilbert co-founded New Found Glory in 1997 and became one of the group’s principal creative forces.
His work included guitar playing, songwriting and backing vocals, helping shape the sound that eventually became associated with the band’s energetic pop-punk style.
New Found Glory went on to become one of the prominent bands of the early-2000s pop-punk movement.
The band’s catalog includes albums such as:
- Nothing Gold Can Stay — 1999
- New Found Glory — 2000
- Sticks and Stones — 2002
- Catalyst — 2004
- Coming Home — 2006
- Not Without a Fight — 2009
- Radiosurgery — 2011
- Resurrection — 2014
- Makes Me Sick — 2017
- Forever + Ever x Infinity — 2020
- Listen Up! — 2026
The group’s 2000 self-titled album and 2002’s Sticks and Stones were particularly important periods in the band’s rise.
Songs including “My Friends Over You,” “Hit or Miss” and “All Downhill from Here” became closely associated with New Found Glory’s place in pop-punk history.
New Found Glory Released Listen Up! in 2026
One of the most poignant aspects of Gilbert’s final year was that he remained creatively involved with New Found Glory.
The band released ** Listen Up! in February 2026**, its latest studio album.
The record was created during a period when Gilbert was dealing with serious health problems. Reporting on the album has emphasized how his cancer battle formed part of the circumstances surrounding its creation.
The album therefore became the latest chapter in a musical partnership that had lasted almost three decades.
Chad Gilbert’s Role in New Found Glory
Gilbert was more than the band’s guitarist.
He was an important songwriter and creative contributor who helped establish the band’s sound from its earliest years.
New Found Glory’s music became particularly influential among listeners who came of age during the explosion of pop-punk in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
His guitar work and songwriting helped provide the musical foundation beneath Jordan Pundik’s vocals and the band’s energetic live performances.
The group continued touring and recording for decades, maintaining its connection with its original fan base while reaching newer audiences.
Chad Gilbert’s Other Musical Work
Gilbert’s career was not limited to New Found Glory.
He was also associated with International Superheroes of Hardcore, where he took on a more prominent vocal role.
He additionally worked as a producer and participated in other musical projects during his career.
His work across punk, hardcore and pop-punk helped connect different parts of the alternative music scene.
Chad Gilbert’s Family
Gilbert is survived by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, their daughter Lily, his mother Jackie and his brother Brian, according to reports on the family’s announcement.
Gilbert married Cimorelli in 2020, and the couple later welcomed their daughter.
His family became a major source of strength during his cancer treatment.
In an April 2026 interview, Gilbert spoke about the importance of his family and described having a wife and child as one of his greatest personal achievements.
Gilbert’s Relationship With His Fans
Throughout his illness, Gilbert was unusually open about his health journey.
He shared updates about surgeries, treatments and his recovery with fans through social media and interviews.
Rather than separating his health struggles from his musical identity, he frequently connected the two.
He continued writing and performing when physically possible and used his public platform to encourage people facing difficult circumstances.
His June return to the stage demonstrated that connection between Gilbert and his audience.
Tributes Begin Across the Music World
Following news of Gilbert’s death, musicians and figures from the alternative and rock communities began paying tribute.
Tributes highlighted his influence on pop-punk, his guitar playing, songwriting, humor and long association with New Found Glory.
The response reflects the broader impact New Found Glory had on the pop-punk generation.
For many fans, Gilbert was not simply a member of a successful band; his music formed part of the soundtrack to an important period in alternative music.
Chad Gilbert and Hayley Williams
Gilbert’s personal life also attracted media attention during his career.
He was previously married to Hayley Williams, lead singer of Paramore. Their marriage lasted from 2016 to 2017.
He was also previously married to musician Sherri DuPree.
Gilbert later married Lisa Cimorelli in 2020.
His relationship with Williams frequently appeared in entertainment coverage, but his later life increasingly centered around his family with Cimorelli and their daughter.
Chad Gilbert’s Final Months
Gilbert’s final months were marked by an extraordinary combination of serious medical challenges and continued involvement in music.
After emergency brain surgery in February, he underwent treatment and rehabilitation.
Then came his June return to the stage in Nashville.
The performance showed that he remained committed to music despite the physical difficulties caused by his illness.
Only months later, his family announced his death.
What Chad Gilbert Meant to Pop-Punk
Gilbert’s influence can be understood through the longevity of New Found Glory.
The band formed in 1997 and continued releasing music and touring for nearly three decades.
During that period, pop-punk moved from an underground and alternative scene into mainstream American music before later experiencing another resurgence among younger listeners.
New Found Glory remained part of that musical conversation throughout those changes.
Gilbert’s career therefore spans multiple generations of the genre.
Chad Gilbert’s Death: Latest Update
As of September 21, 2026, Chad Gilbert’s death has been confirmed by his family and New Found Glory.
He was 45 years old.
He died peacefully in his sleep on September 20 surrounded by loved ones, according to the family’s statement. His death came after years of cancer treatment and several serious medical complications, including brain tumors that required emergency surgery earlier this year.
His final year included the release of New Found Glory’s Listen Up! and an emotional return to the stage in Nashville.
For nearly 30 years, Gilbert’s guitar playing and songwriting helped define New Found Glory’s sound and contributed to the broader history of American pop-punk.
Chad Gilbert’s Lasting Legacy
Gilbert leaves behind a musical legacy that extends well beyond the albums and songs he helped create.
His career demonstrates the lasting influence of New Found Glory on pop-punk and alternative music.
He also leaves a personal legacy as a husband and father.
The band’s statement and accounts from people close to him emphasized that family was central to his life, even as music remained one of his defining passions.
His death is likely to prompt renewed interest in New Found Glory’s catalog, the band’s history and Gilbert’s contribution to the evolution of pop-punk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chad Gilbert
Who was Chad Gilbert?
Chad Gilbert was an American guitarist, songwriter and producer best known as a founding member and lead guitarist of New Found Glory.
How old was Chad Gilbert when he died?
Chad Gilbert was 45 years old when he died on September 20, 2026.
How did Chad Gilbert die?
Gilbert’s family said that he died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family and friends. He had been battling cancer for several years. A specific immediate medical cause beyond the family’s announcement has not been independently established in the reports reviewed.
What cancer did Chad Gilbert have?
He had been receiving treatment for metastatic pheochromocytoma and was later diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma, according to reporting based on Gilbert’s own health disclosures.
Did Chad Gilbert have brain cancer?
In February 2026, doctors discovered three brain tumors after Gilbert developed neurological symptoms, and he underwent emergency brain surgery.
When did Chad Gilbert last perform?
Gilbert returned to the New Found Glory stage in June 2026 in Nashville, several months after his emergency brain surgery.
Was Chad Gilbert married?
Yes. He was married to Lisa Cimorelli, with whom he had a daughter. He had previously been married to Sherri DuPree and Hayley Williams.
What band was Chad Gilbert in?
He was a founding member, guitarist and songwriter for New Found Glory.
What was New Found Glory’s latest album?
The band’s latest album, ** Listen Up! **, was released in February 2026. Gilbert participated in the album despite his ongoing cancer treatment.