Chad Gilbert: Founding guitarist of American rock band New Found Glory dies aged 45

American rock band New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert has died at the age of 45.

The guitarist “passed away peacefully in his sleep” on Sunday following a long battle with cancer, leaving his loved ones “devastated”.

A statement shared on his wife Lisa Morelli’s Instagram account read: “On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep. 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.

“We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went.

“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.

“He was a legendary musician, but his favourite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.

“He is survived by his wife, Lisa, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.”

The other members of the My Friends Over You group, Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki and Dan O’Connor, also paid tribute to the musician.

They wrote: “Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humour, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades.

“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.

“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.

“Rest in peace, Chad. We love you forever.”

Gilbert was diagnosed with metastatic pheochromocytoma of the liver in 2021 and underwent surgery to remove the tumour. His condition later developed into adrenocortical carcinoma and spread to other parts of his body.

He was declared cancer-free in January 2022, after having “half a liver, a gallbladder and one adrenal gland” removed, but later revealed he required further surgery to remove a spinal tumour.

Earlier this year, the guitarist lost control of the left side of his body. Doctors discovered three new tumours in his brain, leading to surgery, radiation treatment and a lengthy hospital stay.

Glbert first made his name as the teenage singer of Shai Hulud, appearing on the hardcore band’s groundbreaking 1997 debut album Hearts Once Nourished With Hope And Compassion.

He went on to co-found New Found Glory later in the decade, and they quickly became established as one of the defining acts of the pop-punk era of the early 2000s.

Gibert married Paramore’s lead singer Hayley Williams in 2016 after dating for eight years, though the former pair announced they had split in mid-2017.

Away from the band, Gilbert was also a producer and worked on records by the likes of A Day To Remember, H2O and Terror.

In addition, he had a solo side project, What’s Eating Gilbert, and fronted New Found Glory’s hardcore side project International Superheroes Of Hardcore.