DAVID ROBACK,
1958-2020

David Roback, a key player in L.A.’s neo-psychedelic Paisley Underground who would form Mazzy Star with Hope Sandoval, died Tuesday. He was 61.

A representative for Roback announced his death without giving a cause.

Roback, a guitarist/songwriter/producer, began playing in bands in his native L.A. in the late 1970s, experiencing his greatest commercial success with Mazzy Star in the 1990s. Their second album, 1993’s So Tonight That I Might See, featured their biggest hit, “Fade Into You.” Roback and Sandoval split in 1996, reuniting in 2013 for Seasons of Your Day and 2018’s Still EP.

Roback’s first band, Unconscious, featured Susanna Hoffs, who would go on to form The Bangles, and Roback’s brother Stephen. Davd co-founded Rain Parade—Stephen was a member as well—departing after the release of their psychedelic masterwork Emergency Third Rail Power Trip in 1983.

He formed Opal with Dream Syndicate bassist Kendra Smith and drummer Keith Mitchell. They released two EPs and a full-length with Smith, who was replaced by Sandoval in the middle of a tour with Jesus & Mary Chain. They then changed the band’s name to Mazzy Star.

Peace and love David Roback...
my first musical partner and my very dear friend. You will be eternally missed. 💔 pic.twitter.com/mO1MnLDCOG

— Susanna Hoffs (@SusannaHoffs) February 25, 2020