Guitarist and songwriter Greg Brown, who founded the American rock band Cake, has died at the age of 56. The band confirmed the news in an Instagram statement, although they didn't reveal his cause of death other than to say he had been suffering from a "brief illness". Alongside a moody black and white image of the star holding his guitar, they wrote: "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."
Greg founded the alt-funk band in Sacramento in 1991 alongside vocalist John McCrea, trumpeter/keyboardist Vince DiFiore and Frank French. Gabe Nelson joined the group in 1992. He left the band before the third album was released, but remained in their orbit contributing a song to their 2011 album Showroom of Compassion.
Outside of Cake, he formed the band Deathray in 2000 and released a solo EP in 2023. He also had a solo credit for writing the 1996 single The Distance, which reached number four on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart.
Responding to the post, Greg's daughter Adri paid a heartbreaking tribute simply writing:"The best dad I could’ve asked for," followed by a heart emoji.
On her own Instagram page she posted a series of pictures with the star in her stories, and captioned the first one: "I will love and miss you forever."
Fans also took tot he post to comment and pay tribute. One penned: "What!!? No!!!! One of my all time favourite guitar players. I got a vintage Guild Starfire just like his - coz he created so much magic with it. Singular and irreplaceable talent." Another added: "Oh man. He invented a guitar sound and style like no other. His riffs still blow my mind. RIP."
A third chimed in: "Damn that’s so sad, one of the greatest guitar players in my personal opinion. He will live on in the history he’s made and the musicians he’s inspired. Rest in peace brother."
A fourth added: "RIP Greg Brown, the founding lead guitarist for Cake. I absolutely loved his playing. His style was always so tasteful and appropriate for the song. He was one of my heros when I picked up the guitar in the late 90’s."
A fifth shared: "I heard him and fell in love with his sound and playstyle. One of my 5 guitar idols, he inspired my own playstyle a lot! I love Xan too, but Greg was the best cake guitarist. Rest in peace, you genius! Wish to jam with you in heaven some day!"
Meanwhile a sixth commented: "I remember my high school buddies always emulating Greg’s signature guitar stylings. Seeing Cake w/ Greg at the Crest - one of my first “big” shows. Greg, thank you for amazing memories. My heart hurts."
