90s Guitarist Who Wrote ‘The Distance’ Has Died

Founding member and lead guitarist of the band Cake, Greg Brown, has died. His band mates honored him in a social media post.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Greg Brown’s passing after a brief illness. Greg was an integral part of CAKE’s early sound and development. His creative contributions were immense, and his presence—both musical and personal—will be deeply missed. Godspeed, Greg.It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Greg Brown’s passing after a brief illness. Greg was an integral part of CAKE’s early sound and development. His creative contributions were immense, and his presence—both musical and personal—will be deeply missed. Godspeed, Greg.”

Brown co-founded the alt-rock band in 1991 with singer John McCrea, trumpeter Vince DiFiore, drummer Frank French, and bassist Shon Meckfessel. He wrote “The Distance,” one of the band’s greatest hits.

Brown and bassist Victor Damiani left the group in 1997, and they formed the band Deathray with Dana Gumbiner. Todd Roper joined on drums a few years later. Brown also collaborated with Weezer members Rivers Cuomo and Matt Sharp on several side projects.