Brad Arnold, who was the lead singer of the post-grunge rock band 3 Doors Down, died at the age of 47 after fighting stage 4 kidney cancer. The band and Universal Music Enterprises both confirmed that he died peacefully in his sleep on February 7, 2026, with loved ones, including his wife Jennifer, by his side. Arnold told the band in May 2025 that he had Stage 4 clear cell renal cell carcinoma, which had spread to his lungs. This made them cancel their summer tour.
Arnold was born in Escatawpa, Mississippi, and in 1996 he started the band 3 Doors Down with guitarist Matt Roberts and bassist Todd Harrell. Their first album, The Better Life (2000), had huge hits like “Kryptonite,” which Arnold wrote in math class when he was 15 and got a Grammy nomination for, and “Loser.” Other songs that defined mainstream rock in the early 2000s were “Here Without You” and “When I’m Gone,” which mixed post-grunge with emotional lyrics.
Arnold beat his alcoholism and stayed sober for ten years, which he called the “best years” of his life. He had a bad prognosis, but he had a lot of faith. He said he had “no fear” and asked fans to pray for him. In their social media tribute, the band praised his role in changing rock music and his dedication to God and family.
