Greg Brown, the founding guitarist of the band Cake, has sadly passed away after a short illness. The band shared the news on social media, expressing their deep sorrow and highlighting how vital he was to their early sound and development. Brown’s unique creative spark will be profoundly missed.
Cake emerged from Sacramento, California, in 1991, featuring Brown on guitar alongside singer John McCrea and multi-instrumentalist Vince DiFiore. While McCrea was the main songwriter, Brown played a crucial role, co-writing songs for their first two albums, Motorcade of Generosity (1994) and Fashion Nugget (1996). He penned the iconic hit “The Distance,” which became a defining track for the band.
In a 2021 interview, Brown shared insights about the creative process behind “The Distance.” He was initially surprised that McCrea chose it as a single over another track, “Frank Sinatra.” He admitted, “I liked the way it sounded… but I thought ‘Frank Sinatra’ was a much stronger choice.” The label’s decision turned out to be a great success.
After the Fashion Nugget tour, Brown left Cake, citing personal health reasons amid a time of turmoil. He went on to explore other musical projects, including his band Deathray and a collaboration with Rivers Cuomo of Weezer called Homie. Brown even played on the song “American Girls,” featured in the Meet the Deedles soundtrack.
Years later, Brown reunited with Cake to contribute guitar to “Bound Away,” a track from their 2011 album Showroom of Compassion.
The music industry has lost a gifted artist whose work had a lasting impact. The sound of Cake, with its quirky blend of rock and funk, will be forever shaped by Greg Brown’s contributions. As fans share tributes online, his legacy will continue to inspire musicians and listeners alike.
For further details on Greg Brown’s life and band history, you can visit Billboard.
Source link
Cake,Greg Brown,obit,Obituary
