Roky Erickson

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Roky Erickson (born Roger Kynard Erickson on July 15, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Austin, Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators, who are considered to be the first band to ever use the word “psychedelic” to describe rock music. See also Roky Erickson & the Aliens and Roky Erickson & The Explosives.

In 1969 the band were all arrested for possession of marijuana and Roky was incarcerated in Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane where he reportedly underwent electroshock therapy and was placed on Thorazine amongst other controversial treatments. Many claim he has never been the same since. Sadly in the intervening years record execs and managers displayed the bad side of the music business and took full advantage of his condition often leaving him living in poverty while they hoarded all the cash.

In 2001 Roky’s youngest brother, Sumner Erickson (ex-tuba player for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), was appointed his legal guardian and an improvement in Roky’s faculties has been reported since, leading to a return to live shows.

An excellent documentary on Roky, “You’re gonna miss me” (2005), chronicled his troubled life - his schizophrenia, incarceration for possession of a joint, and talented and eccentric family.

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Popular tags: psychedelic, rock, singer-songwriter, garage rock, classic rock  See more

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• Gremlins Have Pictures
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• Don't Slander Me
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• I Think of Demons
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• The Holiday Inn Tapes
  Roky Erickson

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1		Night of the Vampire			144
2		Goodbye Sweet Dreams			71
3		Don't Slander Me			70
4		I Have Always Been Here Before			62
5		Cold Night for Alligators			58
6		Bermuda			55
7		Burn the Flames			49
7		Two-headed Dog			49
9		Starry Eyes			47
10		The Interpreter			45
11		Don't Shake Me Lucifer			42
12		I Walked With a Zombie			37
13		Bloody Hammer			36
14		Nothing In Return			35
14		Creature With the Atom Brain			35

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