The Inspiring Legacy of New Found Glory’s Legendary Guitarist (1981–2026)
Few names carry as much weight in the pop-punk and melodic hardcore world as Chad Gilbert. As the founding lead guitarist, primary songwriter, and driving creative force behind New Found Glory, he helped define an entire generation of music. His passing on September 20, 2026, at age 45, following a long and courageous battle with cancer, has left fans, peers, and the wider punk rock community reflecting on a career that shaped the sound of 2000s pop-punk. This article looks back at the life, music, and lasting influence of his career — the songs he wrote, the albums he produced, and the community he built.
Who Was Chad Gilbert?
Chad Everett Gilbert was born on March 9, 1981, in Coral Springs, Florida. He picked up the guitar as a teenager and, at just 17 years old, co-founded New Found Glory in 1997 alongside Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, and Steve Klein. From the very beginning, his guitar work and songwriting instincts set the band apart from the wave of pop-punk acts emerging in South Florida at the time.
Early Influences
Growing up immersed in the Florida hardcore and punk scenes, he developed a style that blended aggressive, palm-muted riffs with soaring, melodic hooks. That combination became the template for New Found Glory’s sound — and, arguably, for much of the pop-punk genre that followed.
Chad Gilbert and the Rise of New Found Glory
New Found Glory’s breakthrough came with their major-label debut, Sticks and Stones (2002), which introduced the world to the hit single “My Friends Over You.” The track — which he co-wrote — climbed the Billboard charts and became a defining pop-punk anthem, cementing the band’s place alongside genre peers of the era.
Sticks and Stones and Mainstream Breakthrough
Sticks and Stones transformed New Found Glory from a regional favorite into a mainstream act. Songs like “My Friends Over You” and “All Downhill from Here” showcased his knack for pairing catchy, singable melodies with fast, technical guitar work — a formula that influenced countless bands that came after.
Catalyst, Nothing Gold Can Stay, and Beyond
His songwriting continued to evolve across New Found Glory’s extensive catalog. Albums such as Catalyst (2004) and Nothing Gold Can Stay (2017) demonstrated his range, moving between the band’s signature pop-punk energy and more introspective, hardcore-tinged material. Over nearly three decades, he helped New Found Glory release more than a dozen studio albums, each one carrying his fingerprints as guitarist, backing vocalist, and chief songwriter.
Chad Gilbert’s Songwriting Legacy: Iconic Pop-Punk Anthems
His ability to write hooks that felt both anthemic and personal is a major reason New Found Glory’s catalog has endured. Below is a snapshot of some of the songs and albums most associated with his songwriting.
| Song / Album | Year | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| “My Friends Over You” | 2002 | Breakout single from Sticks and Stones; a genre-defining pop-punk anthem |
| “All Downhill from Here” | 2002 | Fan favorite showcasing his melodic guitar hooks |
| “Hit or Miss” | 1999 | Early fan favorite from New Found Glory, later reworked live |
| Sticks and Stones | 2002 | The album that took New Found Glory mainstream |
| Catalyst | 2004 | Explored a heavier, more aggressive sound |
| Nothing Gold Can Stay | 2017 | A later-career album reflecting the band’s maturity |
Beyond New Found Glory: Chad Gilbert’s Side Projects
While New Found Glory remained his home base, he was known throughout the scene for constantly creating. He lent his talents to several other bands and solo efforts over the years, reflecting his deep roots in hardcore and metalcore before pop-punk stardom.
- What’s Eating Gilbert – his solo/side project, home to the album Listen Up!, which let him experiment outside New Found Glory’s sound.
- Shai Hulud – An influential metalcore band he played with early in his career, reflecting his hardcore roots.
- Hazen Street – A punk rock supergroup featuring members from across the scene.
- International Superheroes of Hardcore – A satirical hardcore side project that showcased his sense of humor alongside his musicianship.
These side projects reveal a side of him that casual New Found Glory fans might not know: a musician who never stopped experimenting, collaborating, and pushing his own creative boundaries.
Chad Gilbert as Music Producer
Beyond his own bands, he built a respected career as a producer, shaping the sound of some of the biggest names in modern pop-punk and post-hardcore.
| Artist | Album(s) Produced |
|---|---|
| A Day to Remember | Homesick, What Separates Me from You |
| State Champs | The Finer Things |
| H2O | Studio recordings |
His production work on A Day to Remember’s Homesick and What Separates Me from You is widely credited with helping define the “easycore” sound — a fusion of pop-punk melody and metalcore breakdowns that dominated the late 2000s and early 2010s. Producing State Champs’ The Finer Things further cemented his reputation as a trusted architect behind a new generation of pop-punk bands, passing on the lessons he learned fronting New Found Glory’s guitar work to younger artists.
Vans Warped Tour and Live Legacy
He and New Found Glory were fixtures of the Vans Warped Tour, the touring festival that served as a launching pad for pop-punk, ska, and hardcore bands throughout the late 1990s and 2000s. His energetic stage presence, tight guitar riffs, and enthusiastic backing vocals made New Found Glory’s Warped Tour sets some of the most memorable of the era, and he continued performing with the band even during his cancer treatment, drawing praise from fans and fellow musicians for his resilience.
Chad Gilbert’s Personal Life
His personal life was often discussed alongside his music career. He was previously married to Paramore vocalist Hayley Williams; the couple’s relationship began in 2007, and they married in 2016 before separating in 2017. In 2020, he married Lisa Cimorelli, a member of the singing group Cimorelli, and the couple welcomed a daughter, Lily, in 2021. Those closest to him have said that being a husband and father was among his proudest accomplishments — even ahead of his achievements in music.
Chad Gilbert’s Cancer Battle and Passing
He was first diagnosed with cancer in 2021, later identified as metastatic pheochromocytoma, a rare cancer originating in the adrenal glands. In early 2026, doctors discovered brain tumors linked to his illness, which had progressed to stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma. Despite the diagnosis, he remained remarkably open and positive throughout his treatment, continuing to perform when he could and speaking candidly with fans and press about his journey. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 20, 2026, surrounded by his wife and mother. He is survived by his wife Lisa, daughter Lily, mother Jackie, and brother Brian.
Chad Gilbert’s Lasting Influence on Pop-Punk and Melodic Hardcore
It is difficult to overstate how much he shaped modern pop-punk. As a guitarist, he brought technical hardcore precision into a genre built on melody. As a songwriter, he helped craft some of the era’s most enduring anthems. As a producer, he passed his sensibilities on to the next generation of bands. Following his death, tributes poured in from bands across the punk and pop-punk world, including Dashboard Confessional, the Offspring, and Taking Back Sunday, underscoring just how deeply his influence ran throughout the scene. For readers who want to explore the full arc of his career and discography, the New Found Glory Wikipedia page offers an extensive overview of the band’s history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chad Gilbert
Who was Chad Gilbert?
He was the founding lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and primary songwriter of the pop-punk band New Found Glory, and a respected music producer known for his work with A Day to Remember and State Champs.
What band was Chad Gilbert in?
Chad Gilbert is best known as a founding member of New Found Glory, though he also played in Shai Hulud, Hazen Street, and International Superheroes of Hardcore, and led his solo project What’s Eating Gilbert.
What songs did Chad Gilbert write?
He co-wrote many of New Found Glory’s most popular songs, including “My Friends Over You,” “All Downhill from Here,” and “Hit or Miss,” among dozens of others across the band’s catalog.
Which albums did Chad Gilbert produce?
As a producer, he worked on A Day to Remember’s Homesick and What Separates Me from You, State Champs’ The Finer Things, and material with H2O.
When did Chad Gilbert pass away?
He passed away on September 20, 2026, at age 45, following a years-long battle with cancer, including metastatic pheochromocytoma and stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma.
Was Chad Gilbert married?
Yes. He was previously married to Paramore’s Hayley Williams and was later married to Lisa Cimorelli, with whom he had a daughter, Lily.
Final Thoughts
His story is one of relentless creativity — a musician who helped define pop-punk as a guitarist, wrote some of the genre’s most beloved songs, and later used his talents behind the mixing board to shape the next generation of bands. His work with New Found Glory, his side projects, and his production credits leave behind a catalog that will keep inspiring fans and musicians for decades to come. His legacy, both in the songs he wrote and the lives he touched, will remain a defining part of pop-punk history.
