Sad news today as Roky Erickson, who build a career as a psychedelic rock founding father has died. He was 71 years old. No cause of death has been revealed at this time. A beloved artist by popular and underground acts, Roky first came to attention with seminal 1960s rock band 13th Floor Elevators. Erickson and the band coined the phrase psychedelic rock with the group and had a brief but impactful four years as a band. The bands’ trajectory was slowed down by Erickson’s issues with mental illness and depression. While he sought help, he was systematically abused in the system for years, which impeded his career further. But artists ranging from The Flaming Lips, Dave Grohl, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Spiritualized, Primal Scream, ZZ Top, Big Brother and the Holding Company, My Bloody Valentine, Ghost, The Black Angels, Ween, Mazzy Starr, The Verve, and more touted him and 13th Floor Elevators for years in song and in the press as a heavy influence. Ghost’s 2013 cover of ‘If You Have Ghosts’ has almost five million plays on YouTube. The 2007 documentary You’re Going to Miss Me’ led to renewed interest in his career. We send our condolences out to Roky’s family, friends, and fans at this time. Continue reading
