MUSIC WORLD (THECOUNT) — Brad Arnold, the founding member and lead singer of 3 Doors Down, has died, the band announced in a social media post. He was 47.
The statement says Arnold passed peacefully early Saturday, surrounded by his wife, family members, and loved ones following his cancer diagnosis.
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The band added that Arnold helped redefine rock music through his work with 3 Doors Down, producing enduring hits over the years, including “Kryptonite,” which he wrote while sitting in a high school math class.
“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.
The band noted that Arnold was a dedicated family man and asked for privacy for his loved ones at this time.
This is the band’s first post since sharing a video in May 2025 in which Arnold confirmed he had been diagnosed with clear cell renal carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer. The cancer had metastasized to his lungs, giving him a stage 4 diagnosis.
Arnold was the longest-tenured member of 3 Doors Down, singing and playing drums when the band formed in 1996. He was the only member to remain in the band from its inception.
3 Doors Down’s debut studio album, “The Better Life,” went seven-times platinum. The band’s next three albums also achieved platinum status.
Arnold is the second founding member of 3 Doors Down to pass away. Guitarist Matt Roberts died from a prescription drug overdose in 2016.
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