Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist of New Found Glory, has died aged 45.

The pop-punk band and Gilbert’s wife, Lisa Cimorelli, confirmed his passing on Sunday, six months after the musician revealed he had been diagnosed with brain cancer. Gilbert had previously been diagnosed with liver cancer in 2021.

“On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep,” New Found Glory shared in a statement. “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.”

Per Rolling Stone, the band said they were “devastated and shocked” by Gilbert’s passing. “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 favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.”

Gilbert co-founded New Found Glory with Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka and Stephen Klein in Florida in 1997, when he was just 17 years old. Over the following three decades, he became a driving force behind the band’s sound and songwriting, helping pen some of their best-known tracks including “My Friends Over You” and “Head on Collision”.

“Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades,” his bandmates said.

“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.”

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The band were last on our shores last year, where they played Good Things festival – including a secret set with Amy Shark. Rolling Stone AU/NZ was at the Melbourne edition, where New Found Glory – who played without Gilbert – “whipped the mid-afternoon crowd into an early singalong frenzy”.

Gilbert’s work also extended beyond New Found Glory. He contributed guest vocals to Fall Out Boy’s From Under the Cork Tree and guitar to the band’s 2007 track “The Take Over, The Breaks Over”.

Tributes have begun arriving from across the music community, including from Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus. “Chad was the best friend to every person he met. The most positive and creative force in any room he walked into,” Hoppus wrote. “These past years he fought his sickness with the soul of a joyous, courageous warrior.

“You’ll be sorely missed by more people than you could ever imagine. See you on the other side.”