Chad Gilbert, co-founder and guitarist of New Found Glory, died in his sleep on September 20th at age 45 after a five-year battle with cancer. The news sent shockwaves through the pop-punk and hardcore communities, where Gilbert had been a foundational figure since launching New Found Glory in 1997.
Hayley Williams has now shared her first public tribute, posting on Instagram Stories that Gilbert is“a legend in the scene”and that her time connected to him taught her a lot. She credited him with introducing her to the people, music, and culture that enriched her life, and said she gained a deeper reverence for the hardcore community and its culture through him. Williams and Gilbert dated from 2007, married in 2016, and divorced in 2017. Their relationship inspired Paramore’s“Still Into You”and Williams’solo track“Dead Horse.”
Beyond New Found Glory, Gilbert also fronted the hardcore band Shai Hulud and remained a champion of the scene he helped build. Fans have been flooding social media with memories, playlists, and gratitude for the music that shaped their formative years. What’s your favorite New Found Glory memory?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.