Chad Gilbert, the founding guitarist of New Found Glory, has died at 45 after a battle with cancer, according to reports from The Guardian and the NZ Herald. His death has put the rock musician back at the center of attention, with Hayley Williams among those remembering his influence on hardcore music.

Why is Chad Gilbert trending right now?

Chad Gilbert is trending because reports of his death have prompted tributes across the music world. The Guardian reported that the New Found Glory guitarist died at 45, while the NZ Herald reported that he had been battling cancer. Rolling Stone then highlighted a tribute from Williams, who remembered Gilbert’s “influence and attitude” on hardcore music and said she was “forever grateful.”

The story has been covered by outlets in the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand, reflecting interest in Gilbert’s role in New Found Glory and his wider connection to the hardcore scene. For many fans, the news has also renewed attention on the guitarist’s place in the band he helped establish.

Who was Chad Gilbert?

Gilbert was a founding guitarist of New Found Glory, the rock band with which he became widely known. The Guardian identified him as the group’s founding guitarist, a description that places him among the musicians responsible for creating the band from its earliest days.

His influence was not limited to New Found Glory’s identity. Williams’ tribute, reported by Rolling Stone, focused specifically on Gilbert’s impact on hardcore music. Her comments point to the respect he received from musicians connected to that scene, beyond his work with the band.

The available reports do not provide a full account of Gilbert’s final days or additional medical details. They report that he died after a battle with cancer.

What did Hayley Williams say about Chad Gilbert?

Hayley Williams remembered Gilbert’s “influence and attitude” on hardcore music and said she was “forever grateful,” according to Rolling Stone. Her tribute drew attention because it emphasized both his musical influence and the character he brought to the scene.

The wording also connects Gilbert’s legacy to hardcore rather than describing him only through his work with New Found Glory. That distinction matters in the coverage: Gilbert is being remembered not simply as a guitarist from a well-known rock band, but as someone whose approach affected musicians and listeners within a heavier musical community.

Williams’ tribute is one of the clearest responses included in the early reporting on Gilbert’s death. Rolling Stone’s coverage places her comments alongside the news of his passing, giving fans a direct reflection on the mark he left on the genre.

What happened to the New Found Glory guitarist?

Gilbert died at 45 after a battle with cancer, the NZ Herald reported. The report did not provide further medical details, and the available coverage does not establish a more specific cause of death.

The Guardian’s report confirmed the death while identifying Gilbert through his role in New Found Glory. Taken together, the reports establish the central facts: Gilbert was a founding guitarist of the band, he died at 45, and the news was reported in connection with a cancer battle.

The reporting has led fans and fellow musicians to revisit Gilbert’s musical legacy. New Found Glory remains the defining reference point in coverage of his career, while Williams’ comments have brought fresh focus to the hardcore influence that shaped how other artists remember him.

How is the music world remembering Chad Gilbert?

The early tributes center on influence, attitude and gratitude. Williams’ message describes Gilbert as an important figure in hardcore music, while coverage from The Guardian and the NZ Herald has identified him as a founding member of New Found Glory.

That combination explains why Gilbert’s death has resonated beyond a single band’s fan base. His public legacy is being discussed through both parts of his musical identity: the guitarist who helped found New Found Glory and the artist whose influence was felt in hardcore. At 45, his death has prompted an immediate focus on the music and community he leaves behind.