roky erickson

Biography

Roger Kynard 'Roky' Erickson (July 15, 1947 – May 31, 2019) was an American musician and singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, widely regarded as an 'outsider genius' and pioneer of psychedelic rock. He showed early musical talent, playing piano from age five and guitar from ten, writing songs like 'You're Gonna Miss Me' at 15 with his first band, the Spades. Dropping out of Travis High School in 1965 to avoid cutting his hair, he co-founded the 13th Floor Elevators with Tommy Hall, releasing their debut album The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators in 1966, featuring the proto-punk hit 'You're Gonna Miss Me.' The band's acid rock sound, driven by Erickson's intense vocals and Hall's electric jug, ignited the garage rock and psychedelic movements.[1][2][5]

Erickson's career was derailed in 1969 by a marijuana possession arrest; pleading insanity to avoid prison, he endured years of electroshock therapy and Thorazine at Rusk State Hospital, emerging profoundly affected by mental illness. Post-release in the mid-1970s, he recorded solo singles like 'Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog)' with Doug Sahm's help and formed Roky Erickson and the Aliens, releasing influential albums Roky Erickson and the Aliens (1980) and The Evil One (1981). His music blended horror themes, raw energy, and psychedelic experimentation. In the 2000s, brother Sumner gained custody, stabilizing his life with medication; he resumed performing, collaborating with bands like the Black Angels and Okkervil River on True Love Cast Out All Evil (2010), and reunited with the Elevators in 2015.[1][3][4][5]

Erickson's legacy endures as a proto-punk and psych-rock icon, influencing generations despite personal struggles. He performed at major festivals like Coachella (2007) and Levitation (2015), remarried his ex-wife Dana, and reconnected with son Jegar, who became his road manager, symbolizing remarkable recovery.[1][4]

Fun Facts

• Dropped out of high school one month before graduation in 1965 rather than cut his hair to meet the dress code.[1]
• Formed an oldies band called the Missing Links with hardened criminals while incarcerated at Rusk State Hospital.[3]
• Claimed the song 'Starry Eyes' was sent from heaven by fellow Texan Buddy Holly.[3]
• Learned to drive, voted for the first time, remarried his ex-wife Dana after 30 years apart, and reunited with son Jegar in his later years.[4]

Associated Acts

• The Spades
• Roky Erickson & Evil Hook Wildlife E.T. - eponymous, original
• Roky Erickson and the Aliens - eponymous, original
• 13th Floor Elevators - electric guitar, lead vocals
• Roky Erickson & Blieb Alien - eponymous, original
• Roky Erickson and the Resurrectionists - eponymous, original

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Tommy Hall - Co-founder and primary lyrical influence, psychology student who shaped the band's psychedelic direction (The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966), Easter Everywhere (1967)) [1965-1969]
• Doug Sahm - Legendary Austin musician who encouraged and produced early solo recordings post-hospitalization ('Starry Eyes,' 'Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog)' singles) [mid-1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Tommy Hall - Bandmate and co-songwriter in 13th Floor Elevators (The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators, Easter Everywhere) [1965-1969]
• Stu Cook - Producer and bassist (ex-Creedence Clearwater Revival) on solo tracks ('Sputnik,' 'Bloody Hammer' on Roky Erickson and the Aliens (1980)) [1979]
• Okkervil River - Backing band led by Will Sheff for comeback album (True Love Cast Out All Evil (2010)) [2010]
• The Black Angels - Backing band for performances of Elevators catalog (2008 Dallas show and West Coast tour) [2008]
• Jegar Erickson - Son who played harmonica in reunited Elevators and served as road manager/band leader (Levitation performance (2015)) [2010s]

Artists Influenced

• Garage rock and psychedelic rock musicians broadly - Credited with igniting garage rock movement and as one of first psychedelic bands via proto-punk energy (13th Floor Elevators' 'You're Gonna Miss Me' (1966)) [1960s onward]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues-rock, #contemporary-folk, #garage-rock