Brad Arnold (3 Doors Down Singer) Dies at 47 Following Kidney Cancer Battle

Brad Arnold, the lead singer, songwriter and co-founder of the rock band 3 Doors Down, died on Saturday at the age of 47.

The Mississippi native musician passed away in his sleep, surrounded by his wife Jennifer Sanderford and other family members, nine months after publicly revealing his diagnosis of stage 4 kidney cancer.

The band confirmed the news in a statement posted to social media platforms including X and Instagram.

"With his beloved wife Jennifer and his family by his side, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, in his sleep after his courageous battle with cancer," the statement read.

Arnold formed 3 Doors Down in 1996 in Escatawpa, Mississippi, initially serving as both drummer and vocalist before shifting to frontman duties full-time.

The group achieved breakout success with their 2000 debut album "The Better Life," which featured the hit single "Kryptonite" and sold over six million copies in the U.S. alone.

Subsequent albums like "Away from the Sun" in 2002 and their self-titled 2008 release produced additional chart-toppers including "Here Without You" and "When You're Young," earning the band two Grammy nominations and sales exceeding 20 million albums worldwide.

Arnold disclosed his health condition in a video shared on Instagram in May 2025, explaining that he had been diagnosed with clear cell renal carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer that had metastasized to his lung.

The revelation prompted the cancellation of the band's summer tour dates that year.

In the post's caption, Arnold wrote:

"Thank you for all the memories so far. Now, I believe “ITS NOT MY TIME” is really my song. This’ll be a battle so we need our prayers warriors! Thank y’all for being the best fans in the world. We love y’all!"

Cancer diagnosis marked the beginning of Arnold's public fight against the disease, during which he underwent treatments while expressing optimism about his prognosis in interviews.

3 Doors Down's music often drew from Arnold's personal experiences, incorporating themes of struggle, faith and resilience that connected with audiences during the post-grunge era of the early 2000s.

The band's performances included high-profile appearances at events like the 2017 inauguration concert for former President Donald Trump and multiple tours supporting U.S. military personnel overseas.

Arnold's death leaves behind his wife, whom he married in 2013, and a legacy tied to the band's enduring radio presence.

The rock community responded swiftly to the announcement, with tributes pouring in from fellow musicians and fans across social media.