Brad Arnold in 2018. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Live Nation Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Brad Arnold, the lead singer, founding member and original drummer of rock band 3 Doors Down, has died. He was 47. Arnold died on Saturday in his sleep after a battle with cancer, according to a statement posted on 3 Doors Down's official social media platforms. He was surrounded by his wife, Jennifer, and family. "Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners," reads the post. "Brad's songwriting became a cultural touchstone for a generation, producing some of the most enduring hits of the 2000s, including the band's breakout hit, 'Kryptonite,' which he wrote in his math class when he was just 15 years old. His music reverberated far beyond the stage, creating moments of connection, joy, faith, and shared experiences that will live on long after the stages he performed on." Related Stories Music LaMonte McLemore, Founding Member of The 5th Dimension, Dies at 90 TV Scott Printz, Producer on 'Private Practice' and 'How to Get Away With Murder,' Dies at 69 The statement noted that Arnold was a "devoted" husband and said his family asked that their privacy be respected during this time. View this post on Instagram In May, Arnold revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer. "I have no fear. I really, sincerely am not scared of it at all, but it is going to force us to cancel our tour this summer and we're sorry for that," he said in an Instagram video. Born in Escatawpa, Mississippi, on Sept. 27, 1978, Arnold founded 3 Doors Down in 1996 with his bandmates Todd Harrell and Matt Roberts while they were in high school. The band's debut album, The Better Life, was released in 2000 and became the 11th-best-selling album of that year. Their songs "Kryptonite," "Loser" and "Be Like That" all reached the Billboard Hot 100. Over the course of its career, 3 Doors Down released six studio albums, most recently Us and the Night in 2016. Arnold is survived by his wife, Jennifer. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Sinners SCL Awards: Ludwig Göransson and 'Sinners' Win Two, "Golden" Takes Outstanding Original Song for Comedy or Musical Taylor Swift Taylor Swift Debuts "Opalite" Music Video Starring Domhnall Gleeson Post Malone Carter Faith Is Bringing Whimsy and Heartbreak to Country Music stubhub Can New York Stop Ticket Scalpers From Gouging Concertgoers? Warner Music Group Warner Music Posts Quarterly Revenue Gain to $1.8 Billion on Streaming Growth and Hit Releases Super Bowl 2026 Bad Bunny "Never Thought" His Grammy-Winning Album Would Lead to Headlining 2026 Super Bowl Sinners SCL Awards: Ludwig Göransson and 'Sinners' Win Two, "Golden" Takes Outstanding Original Song for Comedy or Musical Taylor Swift Taylor Swift Debuts "Opalite" Music Video Starring Domhnall Gleeson Post Malone Carter Faith Is Bringing Whimsy and Heartbreak to Country Music stubhub Can New York Stop Ticket Scalpers From Gouging Concertgoers? Warner Music Group Warner Music Posts Quarterly Revenue Gain to $1.8 Billion on Streaming Growth and Hit Releases Super Bowl 2026 Bad Bunny "Never Thought" His Grammy-Winning Album Would Lead to Headlining 2026 Super Bowl