3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold died today (Feb. 7, 2026), exactly nine months after he announced that he was battling stage 4 cancer. The band, best known for their hit single from 2000, “Kryptonite,” shared the news “with heavy hearts” just before 2 p.m. ET on their Facebook page. The singer and founding member of the Mississippi rock band was just 47. Arnold had announced the diagnosis on May 7, 2025, in a video on the group’s social media page. He noted then that they had canceled their tour planned for that summer.

In their statement, 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 culture touchstone for a generation, producing some of the most enduring hits of the 2000s, including the band’s breakout hit, ‘Kryptonite,’ which he wrote in his math class when he was just 15 years old. 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.”

In the May 2025 video, Arnold said, “I’ve got some not-so-good news for you today. I’ve been sick a couple weeks ago, and I went to the hospital and got checked out, and had actually got the diagnosis that I had clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and it had metastasized into my lung. And it’s stage 4, and that’s not real good.

“But we serve a mighty god, and he can overcome anything,” Arnold, 46, continued. “So, I have no fear. I really and sincerely am not scared of it at all. But it is gonna force us to cancel our tour this summer, and we’re sorry for that. I’d love for you to lift me up in prayer every chance you get, and I think it’s time to go listen to ‘It’s Not My Time’ a little, right? Thank you guys so much. God loves ya, we love ya. See ya.”

The Grammy Award®-nominated 3 Doors Down formed in 1996 as a trio by Arnold, bassist Todd Harrell and guitarist Matt Roberts. The band subsequently underwent several personnel shifts with Arnold the only remaining original member. Best Classic Bands reported on the 2016 death of Roberts. They have sold more than 20 million albums globally, earned two American Music Awards, and five BMI Pop Awards for songwriting, including ”Songwriter of the Year.” Their debut, The Better Life, became certified seven times RIAA Platinum and was fueled by the success of juggernaut hit ”Kryptonite,” written by Arnold. The single ultimately reached #3 on the Hot 100. Away From The Sun has been certified five times Platinum.

Arnold was born in 1978 in Escatawpa, Mississippi. The band’s most recent tour concluded in December 2024.