David Roback, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and co-founder of Los Angeles dream pop and shoegaze act Mazzy Star, has passed away, according to a statement Tuesday evening made by the publicist for the group.
He was 61 years old.
Roback originally began as a guitarist for paisely underground band The Rain Parade. He left soon after the release of debut record Emergency Third Rail Power Trip to briefly form Rainy Day, a supergroup of local musicians who issued one album of covers in 1984. Roback would then go on to form Opal, whose psychedelic guitar sound was complimented by vocalist Kendra Smith of The Dream Syndicate. After one full-length album, Smith left and was replaced by newcomer Hope Sandoval, where the seeds of Mazzy Star were born.
Over the course of three incredible records, Mazzy Star became champions of the psychedelic dream pop movement. Their hit “Fade Into You” was inescapable in 1993, where it was played in constant rotation on MTV and radio stations across the world. After the release of their third record Among My Swan, Mazzy Star went on hiatus until 2013, reuniting for new album Seasons of Your Day. The band’s final recording, the Still EP, was released in 2018.
No cause or date of death has been given at this time. All of our love to Roback, his friends, and his family…
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
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