Sept. 20 (UPI) — New Found Glory founding member and lead guitarist Chad Gilbert has died at 45, the band and his family announced Sunday.

Gilbert’s death came six months after he announced he had brain cancer. He was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2021.

“On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep,” the band wrote on social media. “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.”

New Found Glory was formed in Florida in 1997. The pop punk band’s hits include “My Friends Over You,” “Vicious Love,” “Stay Awhile,” and “Ready and Willing.” Their most recent album was released in February.

“Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades,” the band wrote. “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.”

Gilbert is survived by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli; his daughter, Lily; his mother, Jackie; and his brother, Brian, his bandmates said.