Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Mazzy Star was a band that captivated and inspired many listeners in the 90s and beyond, with their haunting and hypnotic music, especially their hit song ‘Fade Into You’. The band was a collaboration between David Roback and Hope Sandoval, who came from different musical backgrounds and influences, but created a unique and distinctive sound that blended folk, rock, psychedelia, and dream pop. The band was critically acclaimed and commercially successful, but also faced challenges and struggles, such as pressure from the music industry, personal issues, and creative differences. The band eventually faded from the spotlight, and Roback tragically passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates with fans and musicians today.
The Formation of Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star was formed in 1989, when David Roback, a guitarist and producer who had been part of the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles, met Hope Sandoval, a singer and songwriter who had been performing with a band called Going Home. Roback was impressed by Sandoval’s voice and style, and invited her to join his band Opal, which he had formed with Kendra Smith, a former member of The Dream Syndicate. However, Smith soon left the band, and Roback and Sandoval decided to continue as a duo, renaming themselves Mazzy Star.
Roback and Sandoval had a strong musical chemistry, and complemented each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Roback was the main composer and arranger, who played various instruments and created atmospheric and layered soundscapes. Sandoval was the main lyricist and vocalist, who sang with a soft and sultry voice, and expressed intimate and melancholic emotions. The band also recruited other musicians to play with them, such as drummer Keith Mitchell, bassist Will Glenn, and keyboardist Suki Ewers.
The Success of Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star released their debut album, She Hangs Brightly, in 1990, on Rough Trade Records. The album was well received by critics and fans, who praised the band’s original and eclectic sound, which incorporated elements of folk, blues, country, and psychedelic rock. The album also caught the attention of Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, who named it as one of his favorite albums of the year.
The band’s breakthrough came in 1993, when they released their second album, So Tonight That I Might See, on Capitol Records. The album featured the song ‘Fade Into You’, which became a surprise hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song also became a staple of alternative and college radio stations, and was licensed to more than 30 movies and television shows, such as Starship Troopers, Gilmore Girls, and The OC. The song captured the mood and spirit of the 90s, with its dreamy and nostalgic melody, and its lyrics that spoke of longing and disillusionment.
The band’s third album, Among My Swan, was released in 1996, and was another critical and commercial success, reaching number 68 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured songs such as ‘Flowers in December’, ‘Take Everything’, and ‘I’ve Been Let Down’, which showcased the band’s maturity and diversity, as well as their signature sound. The album also received praise from fellow musicians, such as Beck, who covered the song ‘Rhymes of an Hour’ on his album Mutations.
The Decline of Mazzy Star
Despite their success and popularity, Mazzy Star faced some difficulties and challenges, both internally and externally. The band felt pressured by their record label and the music industry to conform to a formula and a schedule that did not suit their creative process and vision. The band also had some personal and professional conflicts, such as Roback’s drug addiction, Sandoval’s stage fright, and their different musical tastes and directions. The band also had a low profile and a reclusive attitude, which made them less accessible and visible to the media and the public.
The band eventually went on a hiatus, and did not release any new material for 17 years. During this time, Roback and Sandoval pursued their own solo and side projects, such as Rain Parade, Warm Inventions, and The Jesus and Mary Chain. The band also made some sporadic appearances and performances, such as on the television show Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
The band finally returned in 2013, with their fourth and final album, Seasons of Your Day, which was released on their own label, Rhymes of an Hour Records. The album was a welcome comeback for the fans and the critics, who appreciated the band’s consistency and quality, as well as their new and fresh elements. The album featured songs such as ‘California’, ‘In the Kingdom’, and ‘Common Burn’, which demonstrated the band’s timeless and classic sound, as well as their growth and evolution. The album also featured guest appearances from musicians such as My Bloody Valentine’s Colm O’Ciosoig, and the late Bert Jansch, a legendary folk guitarist who influenced Roback.
The Legacy of Mazzy Star
The tragic passing of David Roback in 2020, at the age of 61, due to cancer, marked the end of Mazzy Star, and left the fans and the music world in shock and sadness. Roback was remembered and honored by his family, friends, and colleagues, who praised his talent, vision, and generosity. Roback was also mourned by his fans and admirers, who expressed their gratitude and admiration for his music and his legacy.
Mazzy Star’s music, particularly their hit song ‘Fade Into You’, had a significant impact and enduring popularity, showcasing the power of collaboration and the beauty of art. The band influenced and inspired many musicians and bands, such as Lana Del Rey, Beach House, The xx, and The War on Drugs. The band also touched and moved many listeners, who related and connected to their music and their emotions.
The tragic story of Mazzy Star highlights the challenges and struggles that artists face in the music industry, as well as the passion and dedication that they have for their craft. The story also celebrates the achievements and contributions that the band made to the music history and culture, leaving a lasting legacy that will not fade away.
Mazzy Star members: the full line-up
Hope Sandoval – vocals and lyrics. Joined in 1988 after Kendra Smith left Opal mid-tour, and wrote the words to nearly everything the band released.
David Roback – guitar, keyboards, production, and composer of most of the music. Born 4 April 1958; previously a founder of Rain Parade and Opal in the Los Angeles Paisley Underground scene. He died of cancer in Los Angeles on 24 February 2020, aged 61.
Keith Mitchell – drums. Came from Opal with Roback and played on the band’s defining records. He died of cancer on 14 May 2017.
Around this core the band used a shifting cast of contributors on record and on tour, including Suki Ewers on keyboards and Colm O Ciosoig of My Bloody Valentine on drums for the later live line-up.
The records, in order
She Hangs Brightly (1990) – the debut, still the purest statement of the Roback guitar sound.
So Tonight That I Might See (1993) – contains “Fade Into You”. The album went platinum in 1995, two years after release, on the strength of one song refusing to go away.
Among My Swan (1996) – the last record before the long silence.
Seasons of Your Day (2013) – seventeen years later, and almost defiantly unchanged.
Still (EP, 1 June 2018) – the final release with Roback, dedicated to Keith Mitchell and to the band’s stage manager Tom Cashen, both of whom died in 2017.
So what actually happened to Mazzy Star?
The short answer is that they never formally split. They stopped touring and stopped talking to the press, released records when they had them, and let two decades pass without explanation. The band effectively ended with Roback’s death in February 2020, at which point Sandoval described him publicly as a friend she had known since she was a teenager.
That is the part the “whatever happened to” framing keeps missing. Nothing happened to Mazzy Star. They simply declined to perform being a band in the years when they were not making music.
Updated August 2026. Dates for David Roback and Keith Mitchell per contemporaneous reporting by NPR and the BBC (February 2020) and the dedication printed on the Still EP (2018).
