Greg Brown, Guitarist Who Wrote Cake's Biggest Hit, Dies at 56

The musician co-founded the band Cake and penned their hit song "The Distance".

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Greg Brown, a co-founder of the band Cake and the writer of their hit song "The Distance," died on February 5 at the age of 56. Brown's grungy guitar work and irony-laced lyrics helped propel Cake to the top of the alternative rock charts in the mid-1990s. He left the band after their 1996 album "Fashion Nugget" but briefly returned in 2011.

Why it matters

As a co-founder of Cake, Greg Brown played a pivotal role in shaping the band's distinctive sound and helping to define the alternative rock genre in the 1990s. His songwriting, particularly on the hit "The Distance," resonated with a generation disillusioned with the pursuit of material wealth and success.

The details

Brown co-founded Cake in 1991 with lead singer John McCrea, and the band's debut album "Motorcade of Generosity" featured Brown's grungy guitar work on songs like "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle." Their 1996 album "Fashion Nugget" included Brown's signature song "The Distance," which reached #4 on the alternative charts. Brown left the band after that album due to creative differences with McCrea, but briefly returned in 2011 to play guitar on the song "Bound Away." After his time with Cake and the band Deathray, which he co-founded with Cake's Vince DiFiore, Brown largely retired from professional music, though he released a solo EP in 2023.

  • Greg Brown died on February 5, 2026.
  • Brown co-founded Cake in 1991.
  • Cake's debut album "Motorcade of Generosity" was released in 1994.
  • Cake's hit album "Fashion Nugget" featuring "The Distance" was released in 1996.
  • Brown briefly returned to Cake in 2011 to play guitar on the song "Bound Away."

The players

Greg Brown

A co-founder of the band Cake who wrote their hit song "The Distance" and provided the band's grungy guitar sound.

John McCrea

The lead singer of Cake and Brown's co-founder, with whom he had creative differences that led to Brown's departure from the band.

Vince DiFiore

A member of Cake who left the band around the same time as Brown and co-founded the band Deathray with him.

Adri Brown

Greg Brown's daughter, who confirmed his death.

Courtney Brown

Greg Brown's wife.

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What they’re saying

“I might have told you one thing back when I was 27 years old, and I left hotheaded and mad about what I considered to be irreconcilable personality problems or whatever. I would just say there was a lot of turmoil at the time, and I felt like leaving Cake would be a decision that would be good for my health.”

— Greg Brown (Billboard)

“There's still a kind of kernel of Greg Brownness that I bring, whether it's intentional or not. He is a total authentic original and a hardcore talent, and really built that group.”

— Xan McCurdy, Cake's current guitarist (Billboard)

The takeaway

Greg Brown's contributions to Cake's distinctive sound and his songwriting on hits like "The Distance" cemented his legacy as an influential figure in the alternative rock scene of the 1990s. Even decades after his departure from the band, his musical imprint remained, demonstrating the lasting impact he had on the group he co-founded.