Mark Hoppus pays tribute to Chad Gilbert — Rolling Stone
Blink-182 bassist and co-founder Mark Hoppus wrote a farewell tribute in memory of New Found Glory founder and lead guitarist Chad Gilbert. The musician died on September 20 at the age of 45 after battling brain cancer, Rolling Stone reports.
Friendship that began at concerts in Florida
Hoppus wrote that he had always regarded Gilbert as a younger brother. According to him, they met when Gilbert and his friends attended Blink-182 concerts in Florida. Later, Hoppus heard New Found Glory, who at the time had an album on the Drive-Thru Records label.
The musician recommended New Found Glory's work to friends, labels and radio stations, and Blink-182 took the band on tour. During the tour in support of the album Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, Gilbert often rode on the bus with Hoppus and his wife. During those trips, they talked a lot, including about Gilbert's worries despite his band's success.
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Conversations about treatment
In recent years, Hoppus, who himself survived cancer, corresponded with Gilbert about cancer. They discussed health updates, prognoses, treatment methods, medical terminology and the effectiveness of therapy. Hoppus noted that certain methods offered hope but eventually stopped working, while doctors found other tumors.
The musicians' last meeting took place in Nashville at a Blink-182 concert. According to Hoppus, Gilbert was weakened and walked with a cane, but came with his wife and daughter and remained optimistic. The treatment was working at the time, so Gilbert hoped for a positive outcome, although doctors had found another problem. At the end of the tribute, Hoppus wrote that he already missed his friend.
Working together
Hoppus also worked with New Found Glory on the album Not Without a Fight, released in 2009. He recalled tense moments in the studio but emphasized that Gilbert returned to work smiling after conflicts and was ready to move on.
