New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert has died, according to an Instagram post from the band and his wife Lisa Cimorelli.
Gilbert had deep roots in Franklin, calling it his second home and a place where he found a sense of community in a 2018 Tennessean interview
ahead of that year's punk rock Breakfest at The Factory. The band's post said Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Sept. 20. He was 45.
"He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished," part of the post read. "We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went."
The news comes after Gilbert's yearslong fight with cancer.
In a February post to his personal Instagram page, Gilbert said three new tumors were discovered in his brain and surgically removed. According to the band's post, Gilbert is survived by his wife, Lisa, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian. Gilbert was previously married to Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams.
The post went on to praise Gilbert for his musicianship, songwriting, humor and "relentless drive" that shaped the band for nearly 30 years. The pop-punk band was founded in 1997 and also includes vocalist Jordan Pundik, bassist Ian Grushka, and drummer Cyrus Bolooki. The band has several upcoming tour dates, including the Aftershock Festival on Oct. 1 and the Vans Warped Tour on Nov. 15.
"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," the post read. "He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true."
"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," the band wrote. "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.”
Reach reporter Rachel Wegner at RAwegner@tennessean.com. You can also find her on X or Bluesky under the handle RachelAnnWegner.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: New Found Glory's Chad Gilbert dies at 45 after cancer battle
