David Roback, the co-founding guitarist of influential US alternative act Mazzy Star, has died. He was 61.
A representative for the band confirmed Roback's passing to US music publication Billboard. No cause of death was given.
California-born Roback was a co-founder of cult 1980s bands Rain Parade and Opal before forming Mazzy Star with singer Hope Sandoval in 1989. They released their debut album, She Hangs Brightly, the following year.
Mazzy Star are best known for their seminal ballad Fade Into You from their 1993 album So Tonight That I Might See.
Follow-up Among My Swan was released in 1996 with Mazzy Star's most recent album, Seasons of Your Day, released in 2013. Roback produced all of Mazzy Star's albums.
There have been many tributes on social media from his fellow musicians, friends and fans:
Peace and love David Roback...
— Susanna Hoffs (@SusannaHoffs) February 25, 2020
my first musical partner and my very dear friend. You will be eternally missed. 💔 pic.twitter.com/mO1MnLDCOG
In memory of David Roback Opal - Happy Nightmare Baby - original SST video https://t.co/O5cgW39ZQv via @YouTube
— Krist Novoselić (@KristNovoselic) February 26, 2020
I saw Mazzy Star at Woody's in 1990 and all of Galaxie 500 were in the audience as well as many other bands. It was a spellbinding show that I continue to draw inspiration from 30 years later... https://t.co/N5uOy59lXl
— grasshopper (@mercuryrevvd) February 26, 2020
Very Sad David Roback died
— J Mascis (@jmascis) February 26, 2020
I always loved his music pic.twitter.com/UrADoJ2ds3
Time fades away. Empty Box Blues by Opal. I love this music. #davidroback https://t.co/lApa8uuBLZ
— the pastels (@pastels_the) February 25, 2020
I love a lot of Mazzy Star songs but I don't know what I would do without Fade Into You. RIP David Roback. Thank you for the music 💔💙
— SLEIGH BELLS (@sleighbells) February 25, 2020
Very sad to hear that David Roback he gone to The Great Gig In the Sky. I loved his work with The Rain Parade, Opal and Mazzy Star. Rock In Peace, I x pic.twitter.com/QOIKEQVJGj
— Ian McNabb (@empiresend) February 26, 2020
RIP David Roback. Of course Mazzy Star was incredible, an oasis of hushed minimalism at a time when alt-rock was cranking shit up to the max. But his earlier bands were just as great -- especially Opal, whose 1987 LP Happy Nightmare Baby remains one of SST Records' hidden gems. pic.twitter.com/maHVcCMalE
— Jason Heller 🌹 (@jason_m_heller) February 26, 2020
His quiet revolution never stopped playing in the back of my head. ❤️ David Roback pic.twitter.com/pZyaTvOnhR
— Claudia Durastanti (@CDurastanti) February 25, 2020
Sad to hear about the passing of David Roback
— Vivienne Gucwa (@travelinglens) February 25, 2020
Mazzy Star has had a profound influence on my life + art ever since I first heard their music in the 90s
Into Dust (one of my favorites of all time)
-> https://t.co/OGKN5zNRPZ
😢 pic.twitter.com/HO10WwKHhV
