Greg Brown, one of the founding members and the original guitarist of the band Cake, has died at the age of 55. The band announced Brown's death, stating that it occurred after a brief period of suffering from an unspecified illness. Brown was integral to the formation of the band in the early 1970s, contributing significantly to the development of their early repertoire, including the composition and arrangements of their first two albums.

His contribution to Cake was especially noteworthy with the hit song "The Distance," which gained international acclaim and became the band's most commercially successful track, receiving extensive airplay and chart success. Brown's departure from Cake in the late 1990s led him to pursue other musical endeavors, including founding the band Deathray and working on various collaborative projects, including those associated with Weezer.

In the 2010s, Brown made a return to Cake for a special project, reminding fans of his impact on the band's sound and legacy. His passing marks a significant loss for fans of the band and the music community at large, reflecting the lasting influence of his work and contributions to the music industry.