The founding guitarist of New Found Glory, Chad Gilbert, died on Sunday morning at age 45. He had been undergoing treatment for cancer for several years before passing away peacefully in his sleep.
A 1997 Florida legacy defined by "My Friends Over You"
New Found Glory emerged from the Florida music scene in 1997, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the pop-punk genre. As the band's founding member and guitarist, Chad Gilbert was instrumental in crafting the melodic, high-energy sound that defined the era for a generation of listeners. The band's rise in the late 90s helped define the pop-punk aesthetic, blending catchy hooks with a raw, energetic edge that influenced countless subsequent acts.
The group's discography includes several influential tracks, such as "My Friends Over You," "Vicious Love," "Stay Awhile," and "Ready and Willing." According to the band's statement, Gilbert's songwriting, humor, and "relentless drive" helped shape the group through more than a dozen albums and countless global tours. His influence extended beyond the music, as the band noted he challenged them to grow as performers and human beings over nearly three decades of work.
The battle with Stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma
Chad Gilbert had been facing a difficult health journey for several years prior to his passing on Sunday morning. The musician had been receiving treatment for adrenal cancer since 2021, a struggle that became increasingly public as his condition progressed.
The severity of his illness was compounded by a diagnosis of Stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma.. His wife, Lisa Cimorelli, had previously indicated that this specific prognosis suggested a much shorter lifespan than originally anticipated. Despite the gravity of the diagnosis, the band and Cimorelli shared that Gilbert died "peacefully in his sleep," surrounded by his wife and mother ,just as he had wished .
What remains for Pundik, Grushka, and Bolooki?
The death of a founding member leaves significant questions regarding the future of New Found Glory. the remaining members—Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, and Cyrus Bolooki—have been active on tour in recent months, maintaining the band's presence in the live music circuit.
However, the report does not clarify whether the group intends to continue performing or if they will enter an indefinite hiatus following this loss. while the band's statement focused on celebrating Gilbert's life and his roles as a husband and father, the operational future of the group remains an unverified point for fans and promoters alike. The community is waiting to see if the band's signature sound can persist without its primary architect.
Tributes from the Madden brothers and Matthew Koma
The music community has responded to the news with a massive outpouring of grief and respect. Fellow artists and industry professionals have taken to social media to honor Gilbert's memory and his resilience during his illness.
Members of the band Dashboard Confessional, specifically Benjamin and Joel Madden, praised Gilbert for his "positivity and strength," calling him an example to all. Other notable tributes came from musician-songwriter-producer Matthew Koma, underscoring the deep respect Gilbert commanded across the alternative music landscape. The loss of such a central figure often signals a turning point for a band, yet the outpouring of love suggests Gilbert's legacy will remain a permanent fixture in the genre's history.
Gilbert is survived by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian. the band noted that while he was a legendary musician, his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father.
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