New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert dies at 45 after cancer battle

Chad Gilbert, the founding guitarist and songwriter of the influential pop-punk band New Found Glory, died peacefully in his sleep on September 20, 2026, at the age of 45. Gilbert passed away surrounded by family following a long battle with cancer, which began with a 2021 diagnosis of a rare adrenal gland cancer and progressed to stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, and his daughter, Lily.

Chad Gilbert death

• ▪New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of September 20, 2026, at the age of 45.
• ▪Chad Gilbert passed away surrounded by friends and family, taking his final breaths with his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, and his mother by his side.

Cancer diagnosis progression

• ▪In April 2026, Chad Gilbert's cancer diagnosis changed from metastatic pheochromocytoma to stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare and advanced cancer of the outer layer of the adrenal glands.
• ▪Chad Gilbert was diagnosed with a rare adrenal gland cancer, metastatic pheochromocytoma, in December 2021, which later spread to his spine, lungs, and back.

Treatment history

• ▪Chad Gilbert underwent emergency brain surgery in March 2026 to remove three tumors discovered after he experienced symptoms of being unable to properly move his left hand.
• ▪Chad Gilbert was declared cancer-free in January 2022 after having half a liver, a gallbladder, and one adrenal gland removed, but he later required further surgery to remove a spinal tumor.

New Found Glory career

• ▪New Found Glory released their latest album, Listen Up!, in February 2026, which featured guitar parts recorded by Chad Gilbert while he was undergoing chemotherapy.
• ▪New Found Glory was formed in Coral Springs, Florida, in 1997, by lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka, and drummer Joe Moreno.

Musical legacy

• ▪Chad Gilbert first made his name as the teenage singer of the hardcore band Shai Hulud, appearing on the band's 1997 debut album Hearts Once Nourished With Hope And Compassion.
• ▪Chad Gilbert worked as a producer for bands such as A Day To Remember, H2O, and Terror, and fronted the side projects What's Eating Gilbert and International Superheroes Of Hardcore.

Family survivors

• ▪Chad Gilbert was previously married to Eisley musician Sherri DuPree in 2007 and to Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams from 2016 to 2017.
• ▪Chad Gilbert is survived by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.