Chad Gilbert, Founding Guitarist of New Found Glory, Dies at 45

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By Vivian Nguyen - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28038774
Chad Gilbert, who was a founding guitarist for New Found Glory, has died. The guitarist and vocalist was 45. Gilbert's band and his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, announced his death on Instagram, writing: "With heavy hearts, we are sad to share the news that Chad Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his wife and mother, just as he wanted.
"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."
No details were immediately available about Gilbert's cause of death, but he previously shared with People that he had battled stage four adrenal cancer.
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The band went on to become one of the most influential acts in pop-punk's history, helping to shape the genre's sound in the early 2000s. Gilbert played on all of the band's records from the debut 1999's Nothing Gold Can Stay to this year's Listen Up! Album, released in February.
He also helped the band achieve more mainstream success with 2002's Sticks And Stones and 2004's Catalyst, which both debuted in the Billboard 200 top 10. Gilbert played in other bands as well, including Shai Hulud and the side project International Superheroes of Hardcore. He was previously married to Paramore's Hayley Williams and singer Sherri DuPrey.
Written by
Lakshya