Brad Arnold, the lead vocalist of American rock band 3 Doors Down, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 47.
The band confirmed Arnold’s passing in a statement shared on social media, saying he died peacefully in his sleep on Feb 7, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Arnold was diagnosed with stage four cancer in May 2025, with reports indicating the disease had already spread to his lungs at the time of diagnosis.
A founding member of 3 Doors Down, Arnold was the last remaining original member of the band. In addition to fronting the group as its lead singer, he was also a key songwriter and had originally served as the band’s drummer.
The band’s lineup changed over the years, with bassist Todd Harrell later replaced following his conviction in a 2013 vehicular homicide case. Guitarist Matt Roberts departed the band in 2012 and died in 2016 due to a drug overdose.
Formed in the mid-1990s, 3 Doors Down rose to international fame with hits such as Kryptonite, When I’m Gone and Here Without You. Kryptonite, the band’s breakout single, was written by Arnold when he was just 15 years old during a school mathematics class.
Beyond his musical legacy, Arnold was remembered as a devoted husband. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer.
In their tribute, the band said Arnold’s influence extended far beyond music.
“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,” the statement read.
