Hayley Williams Pays Tribute to Chad Gilbert

Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist of New Found Glory and vocalist for Shai Hulud, died this week from complications related to brain cancer. Hayley Williams has now responded publicly.

Williams, who was married to Gilbert from 2016 to 2017, posted a written tribute to her Instagram story. She opened with hesitation: “Have not known what to say or if it’s appropriate.” But the message that followed went beyond a standard memorial note.

She called Gilbert “a legend in the scene,” then placed the emphasis on what he built around him rather than what he recorded. According to Williams, he introduced her to people and music that continued to shape her life, and gave her “a deeper understanding and a reverence for the community and the culture of hardcore.” Her statement credited him with a passion for fostering community that guided the genre forward.

Gilbert and Williams were both central figures in the Warped Tour-era punk and emo circuit at the height of the MySpace era. They began dating in 2007, married in 2016, and divorced the following year.

Williams closed by sending love to Gilbert’s family, the New Found Glory circle, and his friends. Her words frame his contribution as one of scene-building, not just songwriting — a guitarist remembered for what he gave others, not only what he played.