Opal was formed by two of the leading lights of LA’s paisley underground scene – former Rain Parade guitarist David Roback and ex-Dream Syndicate bass player Kendra Smith.
Their sole album, Happy Nightmare Baby (1987), veered from the T.Rex tribute of Rocket Machine to the Doors-style psychedelia of Magick Power, all smothered in Roback’s reverb-drenched guitar. The result was a strangely other-worldly album.
Halfway through an American tour with the Jesus and Mary Chain, however, Smith dashed the hopes of a growing legion of fans by leaving Opal in a mysterious storm of emotion.
Roback recruited singer-songwriter Hope Sandoval to replace Smith, but the two of them soon began creating new material and decided on a completely fresh start as Mazzy Star.
Keyboards/violin player William Cooper succumbed to cancer in 2001.
David Roback Guitar Kendra Smith Bass, vocals Suki Ewers
Organ, vocals William Cooper
Keyboards, violin Keith Mitchell
Drums
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