Brad Arnold, 3 Doors Down Singer, Dies at 47 After Battle with Cancer
Brad Arnold, lead singer of rock band 3 Doors Down and the voice behind the hit “Kryptonite,” has passed away at the age of 47. Arnold died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, surrounded by his wife Jennifer and family, following a courageous battle with stage 4 kidney cancer.
The Mississippi-born musician formed 3 Doors Down in 1996 with high school friends Matt Roberts and Todd Harrell. Arnold served as both drummer and vocalist in the band’s early years, penning their breakout hit “Kryptonite” while still in high school. The song, re-recorded in 1999, reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining track of early-2000s rock.
Over the years, Arnold helped shape 3 Doors Down’s signature post-grunge sound, contributing to hits like “Loser,” “Be Like That,” and “Here Without You.” The band’s debut album The Better Life sold over seven million copies, followed by multiplatinum albums such as Away From the Sun, Seventeen Days, and 3 Doors Down.
In May 2025, Arnold revealed he was battling metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, which had spread to his lungs. He remained positive, urging fans to support him through prayer and by listening to 3 Doors Down’s song “It’s Not My Time.”
Arnold is the second original member of 3 Doors Down to pass away, following guitarist Matt Roberts in 2016. Rhythm guitarist Chris Henderson now remains the sole original member of the band.
Brad Arnold’s legacy endures through his music, which continues to resonate with fans worldwide.