Brad Arnold, Lead Singer and Founder of 3 Doors Down, Dies at 47 After Battle With Stage 4 Kidney Cancer

Colombo (News 1st): Brad Arnold, lead singer and founding member of Grammy-nominated rock band 3 Doors Down, has died at the age of 47, months after announcing that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer.

The band confirmed Arnold’s death on Saturday, saying he “passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, in his sleep after his courageous battle with cancer.” Arnold’s illness had forced the band to cancel a planned summer tour following his diagnosis of clear cell renal carcinoma, which had metastasized to his lungs.

Arnold, born in 1978 in Mississippi, was the creative heart of 3 Doors Down for over two decades. He originally played drums before becoming the band’s lead singer and songwriter. At the age of 15, he wrote the group’s breakout hit “Kryptonite,” which helped launch the band into international success. Their debut album, "The Better Life", sold over 6 million copies, and the band earned a second Grammy nomination in 2003 for “When I’m Gone.”

Most recently, the 3 Doors Down released six studio albums, "Us And The Night" in 2016. Popular singles included “Loser,” “Duck and Run,” and “Be Like That,” which appeared on the soundtrack of the 2001 film "American Pie 2". Arnold reflected on his career during the promotion of the band’s fifth album, "Time of My Life", saying, “If you do something as long as we’ve done it, you can’t help but get better at it, you know?”

The band said Arnold “helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners.” In 2017, 3 Doors Down performed at the first inauguration concert of President Donald Trump.

Following his death, the band paid tribute to Arnold’s lasting impact, stating, “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.” Fans worldwide shared memories of how his music inspired them through struggles, heartbreak, and moments of hope.