Greg Brown, the original guitarist and co-founding member of ’90s alt-rock eccentrics Cake, has died. In a statement on the band’s social media, Cake shared that Brown died “after a brief illness.” He was 55.
Brown co-founded Cake in 1991 with singer John McCrea, trumpeter Vince DiFiore, drummer Frank French, and bassist Shon Meckfessel.
Cake’s biggest hit, “The Distance,” was written solely by Brown and features his most pronounced guitar work; the single rocketed up numerous Billboard charts, reaching No. 4 on Alternative Airplay and No. 35 for Radio Songs overall.
Brown left the band in 1997 before the release of Cake’s third studio album, Prolonging the Magic, and formed another Sacramento band, Deathray, which was active through the late 2000s.
His band have said “His creative contributions were immense, and his presence—both musical and personal—will be deeply missed. Godspeed, Greg.”