Chad Gilbert, lead guitarist and founding member of New Found Glory, has died at 45. His band and wife, Lisa Cimorelli, confirmed the news in a joint statement shared Sunday on Instagram, saying they were “devastated and shocked” and that Gilbert “passed away peacefully in his sleep” surrounded by family and friends. A cause of death was not released, but Gilbert had lived with cancer for years. He had been diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma and three brain tumors. Story URL
Papa Roach canceled their appearance at Louisville, Kentucky’s Louder Than Life festival after bassist Tobin Esperance suffered an unexpected health emergency. The band was scheduled to perform on the Life Stage Saturday, in what would have been their final U.S. date before a European tour beginning November 1. In a statement, the band said medical professionals advised Esperance, 46, against performing. “Right now, Tobin’s health is our immediate concern,” the band said. “We look forward to welcoming him back on stage in November.” No further details about Esperance’s condition were shared. His brother, Anthony “Twan” Esperance, also performs with the band as a touring guitarist. Louder Than Life headliners Limp Bizkit were scheduled to follow Papa Roach’s set. (Story URL)
Duncan Sheik, singer of the 1996 hit “Barely Breathing” and Tony Award-winning composer of Spring Awakening, died Thursday at age 56. His mother, Suzanne, confirmed the cause was organ failure. Sheik’s self-titled debut album featured “Barely Breathing,” which reached Number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted for 55 consecutive weeks, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. He later collaborated with lyricist Steven Sater on Spring Awakening, which won Best Musical at the 2007 Tony Awards. Sheik received Tonys for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, plus a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album. He is survived by his wife and children. (Story URL)