New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert has died aged 45 months after undergoing surgery to remove three brain tumours and battling adrenal cancer
New Found Glory rocker Chad Gilbert has died, aged 45. The musician had been battling adrenal cancer and had undergone surgery in March to remove three brain tumours.
Sharing the news, his bandmates and wife Lisa Cimorelli described Chad, a founding member of the band as a “legendary musician”. In a statement, they said: “On the morning of September 20, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep.
“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. 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 favourite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.” The statement continued: “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.”
Earlier this year, Chad was rushed to A&E after he began experiencing weakness in his legs, which resulted in a fall. This came just days after he struggled to use his left hand at a gig in Nashville.
At the time, he told fans how a CT scan revealed three tumours on his brain, which required urgent surgery to remove them. The musician was first diagnosed with cancer just five years ago, with doctors finding a large adrenal gland tumour, which had metastasised to his liver.
The tumour was removed during surgery, as well as half of his liver and his gallbladder. After sharing that he was cancer-free just a month later, the disease sadly returned to his spine. He later underwent a six-hour operation to remove the vertebral which had been affected and replace it with an artificial disc.
However, a year later, nodules were discovered in his lungs. Despite going through rounds of chemotherapy, he continued to release music and perform with the band.
The late rocker started the band in Coral Springs, Florida, back in 1997 with Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Steve Klein and Cyrus Bolooki.
Just two years later, the band released their debut album, Nothing Gold Can Stay. But it wasn’t until the release of their third record, Sticks and Stones, in 2002, that the band achieved astronomical success.
The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
