Singer shared a photo with his wife on Instagram on Christmas Day<\/p>\n
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Published Feb 09, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 14\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Just six weeks before his death at the age of 47<\/a>, Three Doors Down rocker Brad Arnold expressed his gratitude for life in what turned out to be his final social media post<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cMerry Christmas, everybody,\u201d Arnold captioned a snap he shared on Christmas Day alongside his wife, Jennifer Sanderford, and their Golden Retriever in front of a decorated tree. \u201cI can\u2019t tell ya how thankful I am to be here!\u201d<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Last May, Arnold revealed he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cGot some not so good news for you today,\u201d Arnold said in a video message shared with his fans<\/a>. \u201cSo, I\u2019d been sick a couple of weeks ago and then went to the hospital and got checked out, and actually got the diagnosis that I had a clear cell renal cell carcinoma that had metastasized into my lung. And it\u2019s stage four, and that\u2019s not real good.\u201d<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n But Arnold said his faith helped him face the disease head on and without fear.<\/p>\n \u201cWe serve a mighty God, and he can overcome anything,\u201d he continued. \u201cSo I have no fear. I really, sincerely am not scared of it at all, but it is going to force us to cancel our tour this summer and we\u2019re sorry for that.\u201d<\/p>\n Arnold helped form the band in 1996 in Mississippi, and was the original drummer and vocalist. He wrote and produced the hit Kryptonite, which hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart<\/a>.\u00a0The Grammy-nominated song was written when he was just 15 years old in math class.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Their 2000 debut LP, The Better Life, sold over 6 million copies worldwide and they released five other albums, including 2016\u2019s Us And The Night.<\/p>\n Arnold died \u2018surrounded by loved ones\u2019<\/p>\n The singer-songwriter\u2019s bandmates \u2013 which also included guitarist Chris Henderson, drummer Greg Upchurch, guitarist Chet Roberts and bassist Justin Biltonen \u2014 announced Arnold\u2019s death in a post on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWith heavy hearts, we share the news that Brad Arnold, founder, lead singer, and songwriter of 3 Doors Down, passed away on Saturday,\u201d the band said in a statement. \u201cBrad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Arnold was hailed as \u201ca devoted husband\u201d and died \u201csurrounded by loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cAbove all, he was a devout husband to Jennifer, and his kindness, humour, and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him,\u201d the band continued. \u201cThose closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith, and deep love for his family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n The band played at President Donald Trump\u2019s first inauguration in 2017 alongside other music stars like Toby Keith.<\/p>\n \u201cWe love America,\u201d Arnold told TMZ<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s a great honour to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n Arnold said he considered himself very lucky to have enjoyed a career in the music business, telling the Associated Press<\/a> in 2011, \u201cIf you do something as long as we\u2019ve done it, you can\u2019t help but get better at it, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n On social media, fans paid tribute to Arnold\u2019s lasting impact on music.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for all the awesome music throughout the years, Brad. You\u2019ll always be in our memories,\u201d one person wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou are with our beloved creator now. My heart breaks for your beautiful family, friends, loved ones and fans. Soar high Brad. You are dearly missed Sir,\u201d another commented.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cRIP Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down, I love this band. Brad was great, an inspiration, and he unapologetically loved Jesus. Praying for his family and friends,\u201d Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X.<\/p>\n mdaniell@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Brad Arnold, founder and lead singer of rock band 3 Doors Down, dies at 47<\/p>\n <\/a> Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell dead at 56: ‘A true American original’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Love concerts, but can’t make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off.<\/a> Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n![\"Singer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/obit-3-doors-down-singer-brad-arnold_301218293-e1770661278576.jpg\")
Singer Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down takes to the stage at the opening concert of their German tour in the Columbiahalle in Berlin, on Feb. 21, 2012. Photo by J\u00f6rg Carstensen \/APArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.5.3\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Brad Arnold, singer and founding member of 3 Doors Down, has died after a battle with cancer. Photo by Scott Gries \/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Brad](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Brad-Arnold-obit-Feb7.jpg\")
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