Chad Gilbert in 2011. Cindy Ord/Getty Images Chad Gilbert, the founding guitarist and backing vocalist of the punk rock band New Found Glory, died on Sunday. He was 45.
The band and Gilbert’s wife, Lisa Cimorelli, confirmed his death on Instagram, writing in a joint statement that he “passed away peacefully in his sleep” 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 statement read. “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 favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.”
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His cause of death wasn’t immediately available, but he previously opened up to People about his longtime battle with stage 4 adrenal cancer.
Born on March 9, 1981, in Coral Springs, Florida, Gilbert went on to form New Found Glory in 1997 with Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Steve Klein and Joe Moreno, though the latter was quickly replaced by Cyrus Bolooki.
The group became one of the most influential bands in pop-punk’s history, helping to shape the sound in the early 2000s. Gilbert played on all the band’s albums from their debut in 1999 with Nothing Gold Can Stay to their most recent album, Listen Up!, released earlier this year.
He also helped the band find more mainstream success with 2002’s Sticks And Stones and 2004’s Catalyst, both of which landed in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In addition to New Found Glory, Gilbert has also played in other groups, including Shai Hulud and the original band’s side project International Superheroes of Hardcore.
Gilbert was previously married to Paramore’s Hayley Williams and singer Sherri DuPrey.
In addition to his wife, Cimorelli, Gilbert is also survived by his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.
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