American pop-punk band New Found Glory has found a fitting way to pay tribute to their late guitarist, Chad Gilbert — they’re headed to Disney World.
Gilbert was part of the Coral Springs, Florida, band’s founding lineup in 1997 and went on to build a cult following across 11 albums. In recent years, he battled multiple forms of cancer and earlier this month tragically passed away at age 45.
There’s been an outpouring of love for the guitarist from across the music scene, and now his surviving bandmates have found a fitting way to honor his memory by going ahead with a series of shows at Epcot at the Disney World resort in their home state.
The shows were arranged before Gilbert’s passing, but they’ve now taken on a different meaning.
“We want to thank everyone for the overwhelming amount of love and tribute posts for Chad these past few days,” the band says in an official statement via Instagram. “Seeing how deeply he touched so many lives means everything to us, and we know he would be so proud to see it.”
The band also announced that it was pulling out of its upcoming appearance at Aftershock Festival to give its members time to grieve. Though taking place before the festival, the Epcot shows will be the band’s first since Gilbert’s death, and they will go ahead as planned. In doing so, the band will unite two of Gilbert’s biggest passions.
“Anyone who knew Chad knew that he was a massive Disney fan,” the post continues. “Our shows at Epcot were dates he was so excited for and he was actively planning to be on stage with us there. He had already worked on the setlists with us and was practicing as much as possible to be ready.
“Because of how much he wanted to play these shows, taking the stage at Epcot feels like the right way to honor him, and what he would want us to do. Our plan from the beginning with him was to announce our Epcot sets ahead of time, so we feel it’s only appropriate to share them with you now as we prepare to play in his memory.”
Given his illness, Gilbert — whose main electric guitars were Les Pauls and Telecasters — had been unable to play many shows with the band in recent years. Real Friends guitarist David Knox has been filling in for him at recent shows, but Gilbert was able to return to the stage for a show in Nashville on June 8, performing two songs from a motorized scooter as his daughter watched on. He underwent brain surgery in March after struggling to control his left hand.
At Epcot, the band will play three shows each night at America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure pavilion, at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. The shows will take place September 28 and 29 as part of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
“Every note we play and every word you sing at Epcot is for Chad,” the band concludes. “Thank you all for wrapping us in so much love, understanding, and support as we come together to honor his legacy.”
Meanwhile, Blink-182 bassist and Fender signature artist Mark Hoppus has paid an emotional tribute to the guitarist, who touched the lives of many.
“Chad was the best friend to every person he met,” he writes. “The most positive and creative force in any room he walked into. These past years he fought his sickness with the soul of a joyous, courageous warrior. With dignity, love, and gratitude. He never complained once, only kept saying how lucky he was. For everything. Today we lost a good one, and the world won’t be the same.”
Gilbert is survived by his wife and daughter, as well as his mother, Jackie, and brother, Brian.
