Chad Gilbert’s Final Encore: Pop-Punk Pioneer Dies at 45

Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist and backing vocalist of New Found Glory, has died at 45, confirmed by the band and his wife. A cause of death wasn’t disclosed; Gilbert had battled cancer, including brain tumors and adrenocortical carcinoma, revealed earlier in 2026. A cornerstone of NFG since 1997, he contributed to every album up to 2026’s Listen Up! and played with other groups like Shai Hulud and IOHC. He’s survived by his wife Lisa Cimorelli, daughter Lily, his mother Jackie, and brother Brian.