Cake co-founder Greg Brown dies; Tuscaloosa concert unaffected

Mark Hughes Cobb

Tuscaloosa News

USA TODAY NETWORK

Greg Brown, one of the founders of rock band Cake, writer of its biggest hit 'The Distance,' died recently, but that won't directly affect the April 25 gig at Tuscaloosa's Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater since the guitarist had left the group nearly 30 years ago.

His former band members announced the death Feb. 7 on Instagram and Facebook accounts, reading in part: 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Greg Brown’s passing after a brief illness.' The cause of death wasn't given, nor his age, but according to a Billboard retrospective, he was around 56 years old.

The announcement went on: '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.'

The eclectic Sacramento, California-born band, formed in 1991 as a 'somewhat antagonistic answer to grunge,' has been lead by singer-songwriter John McCrea and keyboard/trumpet player Vince DiFiore since its creation. Both are still with the band, joined by Xan McCurdy on guitar, Todd Roper on drums, and Daniel McCallum on bass. Brown left the group in 1997, after the second album. McCurdy stepped in on guitar that year.

In addition to 'The Distance,' Cake hits include 'Never There,' 'Short Skirt/Long Jacket,' 'Let Me Go,' 'No Phone,' 'Sheep Go to Heaven,' 'Sick of You,' a cover of Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs,' and their cover of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive.'

The 8 p.m. April 25 Tuscaloosa show was the first announced for the 2026 season, booked now by Danny Wimmer Presents out of Los Angeles.

It's, as of now, the only 2026 concert that's been named, but Amp representatives say two or more new shows will be announced within the next 10 days.

Tickets, ranging from $42 and up, are on sale through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Amphitheater box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa. The Cake show will start at 8, with gates opening at 7. For more, see www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.

Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at mark.cobb@tuscaloosanews.com . To support his work, please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News .