Chad Gilbert, a founding member and lead guitarist of the influential band New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45. His wife, Lisa Cimorelli, announced on Sunday that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 20.
The progression from pheochromocytoma to stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma
Chad Gilbert's health decline was marked by a grueling multi-year medical battle. according to Deadline Hollywood, Gilbert first underwent surgery to remove a pheochromocytoma cancerous tumor in 2021,followed by another operation in 2022 and a course of chemotherapy in 2023. The situation reached a critical point in March when emergency brain surgery revealed the presence of three tumors.
This discovery led to a devastating diagnosis upgrade, as his metastatic pheochromocytoma was reclassified as stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma.. Lisa Cimorelli noted in a joint statement with the band that Gilbert remained surrounded by his family, including his daughter Lily and mother Jackie, during his final moments.
From Coral Springs to the Drive-Thru Records era
Born in Coral Springs, Florida, on March 9, 1981, Chad Gilbert was a primary architect of the pop-punk sound that domminated the turn of the millennium. He co-founded New Found Glory in 1997 alongside bandmates Jordan Pundik, Steve Klein, Ian Grushka, and Joe Moreno. The band's trajectory was so immediate that Gilbert left high school after the 11th grade to focus on the group's signing with Drive-Thru Records.
This early leap into the professional music industry allowed Chad Gilbert to help shape the sonic identity of a generation.. His relentless drive and songwriting capabilities were central to the band's rise, transforming them from a local Florida act into a global touring force.
The enduring legacy of New Found Glory's dozen-plus albums
Beyond his role as a lead guitarist, Chad Gilbert acted as a pivotal figure in the wider alternative music scene. as reported by Deadline Hollywood, Gilbert contributed to the industry as a producer for acts such as H2O and A Day to Remember, while also exploring solo creative outlets under the moniker What’s Eating Gilbert and performing with the band Shai Hulud.
His work across more than a dozen New Found Glory albums helped define a genre that bridged the gap between aggressive hardcore punk and melodic mainstream pop. This versatility ensured that his influence extended far beyond the stage, impacting how subsequent pop-punk bands approached production and songwriting.
What becomes of New Found Glory's future touring schedule?
While the announcement from Lisa Cimorelli emphasizes the brotherhood of the band, several questions remain regarding the professional future of New Found Glory. It is currently unclear whether the remaining members—including Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, and Dan—intend to continue performing as a unit or if the group will enter an indefintie hiatus.
Furthermore, the source does not specify if there are any unreleased recordings or planned appearances that will be handled posthumously.. As the music community mourns, the industry awaits word on how the band will navigate the loss of a founding member whose spirit, as the band stated, will be felt on every stage they stand on.
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