David Roback, 1990s Alt-Rock Founder of Mazzy Star, Dead at Age 61

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David Roback, who left an impact on two generations of Los Angeles Area alternative rockers Mazzy Star, Opal, and the Rain Parade has died. He was 61. No cause of death has been revealed at this time. Roback, said to be a notorious recluse, had his death was confirmed and announced by his publicist. His thoughtful, dreamy guitar work, compositions and producing, along with bands including the Bangles, the Dream Syndicate and the Three O’Clock, Roback’s early band the Rain Parade were often mentioned as part of the Paisley Underground, one of the pre-cursors to 1990s alternative rock. Later in the early 1990s, he found fame with collaborator Hope Sandoval in Mazzy Star, the band earned acclaimed for its laid back sadness in the time of grunge rock with their hits “Fade Into You,” “Blue Flower” and “Into Dust.” Many of his peers have taken to social media to send out their sympathies, as we also do to his family, friends, and fans at this time.