Chad Gilbert, the co-founder and lead guitarist of New Found Glory, has died at 45 following a battle with cancer. His bandmates and his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, shared the news on social media, saying he passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday and that they were shocked by how quickly he left them.
Gilbert started New Found Glory in 1997 and helped shape the pop-punk sound that defined a generation. He’s credited with writing some of the band’s biggest hits, including “My Friends Over You” and “Head on Collision.” He was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, and just three months ago he returned to performing in a motorized scooter after undergoing emergency brain surgery.
He is survived by his wife, his daughter Lily, his mother Jackie, and his brother Brian. For longtime fans here on the Suncoast, the loss hits close to home. Many of us brought our old CDs and concert memories with us when we moved to Florida, and New Found Glory was part of that soundtrack. What’s the song you’ll be playing today in his honor?
