He was the lead singer and co-founder of the American rock band 3 Doors Down. On Saturday, February 7, Brad Arnold died of cancer at the age of 47. His loved ones paid a touching tribute to him on Instagram.

It was in the small town of Escatawpa, Mississippi, that Brad Arnold and two of his high school friends decided to form an alternative rock band in 1996.

They called it 3 Doors Down. Success came quickly, and the band left its mark on the 2000s   . 

Sadly, on Saturday, February 7, Brad Arnold lost his battle with cancer. Last May, the singer announced on Instagram that he had been diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Jennifer, the light of his life.

“You’ve always been a part of my life, but you’ve made these last sixteen years the best of them all,” Brad Arnold wrote affectionately on Instagram last May, on the occasion of his wife’s birthday. The singer fought until the very end…

In an Instagram post, the members of the band 3 Doors Down paid a touching tribute to the deceased, praising the talent of their “founding member, vocalist and drummer” who helped “redefine mainstream rock”, leaving a mark on an entire generation.

“His kindness, sense of humor, and generosity touched everyone who had the good fortune to know him. His loved ones will remember him not only for his talent, but also for his warmth, humility, faith, and the deep love he had for his family and friends.”

The band, whose last album was released in 2006, has continued to perform live, from Hellfest to Donald Trump’s first inauguration. Below, you can listen to two of the songs that made the band famous.

Brad Arnold’s Death: The Extraordinary Story of His First Hit

Throughout their career, 3 Doors Down has sold millions of copies of their six albums, both in the United States and internationally. Their debut single, ”  Kryptonite  ,” was one of the most played songs on radio the year it was released. Brad Arnold composed the song under rather unusual circumstances: as the band revealed in their Instagram tribute,  “He wrote it in math class when he was just 15.”  Through this song,   the talented rocker   will never truly leave his fans and loved ones, as explained in a statement from 3 Doors Down:  “His music created moments of connection, joy, and shared experiences that will endure.”