Pop-Punk Pioneer Remembered
New Found Glory Founding Guitarist and Songwriter Chad Gilbert Dies at 45
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Gilbert co-founded New Found Glory with Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Steve Klein and Cyrus Bolooki in Coral Springs, Florida, in 1997. The band released its debut album in 1999 and broke through with its third album, “Sticks and Stones.”
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“My Friends Over You,” a major hit from “Sticks and Stones,” had an influence beyond New Found Glory: its lyrics inspired the names of later bands including All Time Low and The Story So Far.
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Gilbert was previously married to Paramore singer Hayley Williams; reports also described his illness as a rare adrenal cancer, following his earlier cancer diagnosis in 2021.
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Gilbert is survived by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, their daughter Lily, his mother Jackie and his brother Brian.
Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist and songwriter of pop-punk band New Found Glory, died peacefully in his sleep on September 20 at age 45. Newsy Today reported that Gilbert had battled cancer since 2021 and underwent emergency brain surgery in March after doctors discovered three tumors. He returned to perform in a wheelchair just three months before his death, surrounded by his wife Lisa Cimorelli and mother Jackie.
New Found Glory, formed in Florida in 1997, became a major force in pop-punk through more than a dozen albums and songs like "My Friends Over You" and "Hit or Miss." The Independent noted that Gilbert's bandmates praised his guitar playing, songwriting, humor and drive. His influence on the genre extended beyond his own band—his lyrics inspired the names of later acts including All Time Low and The Story So Far.
A Five-Year Cancer Battle and Final Performance
Gilbert's health crisis began in late 2021 when he was diagnosed with cancer. Mirror reported that he later battled a rare adrenal cancer while also facing brain tumors. In March 2024, he underwent emergency surgery to remove three tumors from his brain. Despite his deteriorating health, Gilbert made a dramatic return to the stage just three months later, performing from a wheelchair in what would be his final shows.
Founding New Found Glory's Pop-Punk Legacy
Gilbert co-founded New Found Glory with Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Steve Klein and Cyrus Bolooki in Coral Springs, Florida, in 1997. The band released its debut album in 1999 but broke through with its third album, "Sticks and Stones," which arrived in the early 2000s. The album spawned major hits that helped define the pop-punk sound of that era and influenced countless musicians who followed.
His Lyrics Shaped the Names of Future Bands
"My Friends Over You," one of New Found Glory's biggest songs, had an outsized impact on music history. The song's lyrics inspired the names of later bands including All Time Low and The Story So Far. This single connection showed how deeply Gilbert's songwriting penetrated the pop-punk community and influenced the generation of musicians that came after New Found Glory.
Family Legacy Beyond the Stage
Gilbert is survived by his wife Lisa Cimorelli, their daughter Lily, his mother Jackie and his brother Brian. Bandmates emphasized that Gilbert considered being a husband and father his greatest accomplishment—a priority he placed above his achievements in music. His legacy extends across decades of touring, songwriting and mentoring younger musicians in the rock community.
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