Greg Brown, founding guitarist of alt-rock band Cake and the man behind the group’s breakout hit “The Distance,” has died at 56. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Greg Brown’s passing after a brief illness,” his bandmates announced . “Greg was an integral part of CAKE’s early sound and development. His creative contributions were immense. “Godspeed, Greg.” The band did not provide a cause of death but said he suffered a “brief illness.” Brown helped shape Cake’s quirky, genre-