Brad Arnold, the frontman of 3 Doors Down, has died at the age of 47.
The new was shared by his representatives earlier today (February 7), who confirmed that he passed away peacefully in his sleep after a battle with kidney cancer. He was surrounded by his wife Jennifer and family.
The singer had announced in May last year that he had been diagnosed with clear cell renal carcinoma that had progressed to stage four. “We serve a mighty God, and he can overcome anything. So I have no fear,” he said in a social media post at the time. “I really, sincerely am not scared of it at all.”
In a statement on Instagram today, the band wrote: “As a founding member, vocalist, and original drummer of 3 Doors Down, Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners.”
“Brad’s songwriting became a cultural touchstone for a generation, producing some of the most enduring hits of the 2000s,” they added. “His music reverberated far beyond the stage, creating moments of connect, joy, faith and sharted experiences that will live on long after the stages he performed on.”
They paid tribute to his “kindness, humour and generosity”, adding: “Those closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith, and deep love for his family and friends.”
His family have said they are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and have asked for their privacy to be respected.
Among those commenting on the post were Alter Bridge, who said Arnold’s “friendship was one we will hold close forever”, and Creed, who sent their “love to the Arnold and 3DD family”.
Arnold was born on September 27, 1978 and he formed the band in Escatawpa, Mississippi in 1996, with Arnold taking on lead vocals and drums, alongside Matt Roberts on lead guitar and Todd Harrell on bass.
He wrote the band’s breakthrough hit ‘Kryptonite’ during a high school maths class at the age of 15, and the band went on to release it in 2000 as their official debut single. It reached Number Three on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Song.
That success was followed by their debut album ‘The Better Life’ later that year, which also featured the hits ‘Loser’ and ‘Duck And Run’. The record sold over seven million units in the US, and its track ‘Be Like That’ was later included in American Pie 2.
The band released five further studio albums, most recently ‘Us And The Night’ in 2016. That same year, Roberts died at the age of 38 from a prescription drug overdose.
