3 Doors Down Frontman Brad Arnold Passes Way At 47
3 Doors Down founding vocalist Brad Arnold passed away today at the age of 47. Arnold had announced that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer that had metastasized to his lungs, back in May of 2025. The singer died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family.
The Early Years
Arnold met Matt Roberts and Todd Harrell in his teens. The three Escatawpa, Mississippi residents started what would become 3 Doors Down while still in high school. Arnold wrote the band’s breakout hit “Kryptonite” during math class at the age of 15. He was 19 when the group began recording demo music. The band added guitarist Chris Henderson in 2000, the same year that the band signed with Republic Records.
3 Doors Down Find Immediate Success
3 Doors Down found immediate success with their debut album The Better Life. The album peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200, and has received seven platinum certifications in the United States alone. The lead single, “Kryptonite,” topped the Mainstream Rock and Alternative Airplay charts, and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has sold over eight million copies in the U.S.
3 Doors Down went on to record six studio albums together, two of which topped the Billboard charts. They have had 15 Top 10 singles, six of which hit #1. Besides “Kryptonite,” songs like “It’s Not My Time,” “Here Without You,” “Let Me Go,” “When I’m Gone,” “Be Like That,” and “Loser” are still played regularly on rock radio.
The band has accumulated a raft of honors over the years. 3 Doors Down has been nominated for more than 30 major awards, winning five BMI Pop Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, a Blockbuster Entertainment Award, and an American Music Award.
Remembering Brad Arnold
3 Doors Down paid tribute to the only singer they had ever known on X/Twitter earlier today.
Country singer Kenny Alphin of Big & Rich felt the loss as well…
Even former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene was touched by Arnold’s passing:
The loss of Arnold will not soon be forgotten. he was an epic talent who fronted one of the biggest rock bands of the 2000s. Though he is gone, his songs and his voice will live forever. Rest in peace, Brad Arnold, 1978 – 2026.
