You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone

POST MADE BY ASSIST OF T.ELSNER Roky Erickson....The undisputed most rockin' voice in rawk! Above trailer for DVD Documentary. (U Toob has alot of the dvd uploaded) Legendary rock n roll pioneer Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson hails from Austin, Texas. He is, in the words of music writer Richie Unterberger, one of "the unknown heroes of rock and roll." As singer, songwriter, and guitar player for the legendary Austin, TX band The 13th Floor Elevators, the first rock and roll band to describe their music as "psychedelic", Roky had a profound impact on the San Francisco scene when the group traveled there in 1966. There are a handful of artistic archetypes we know and love—or loathe—in cinema, literature, and music, especially rock ‘n’ roll music. To take just a sampling of some of the more obvious ones, there is the cautionary tale (see Keith Moon); the tragic hero case study (see Jimi Hendrix); the unrecognized master (see Shuggie Otis); the posthumously recognized master (see Nick Drake); the redemption song (see Brian Wilson), et cetera . And yet, has there ever been an individual who encompasses several of the above, creating an entirely unique category? Yes: Roky Erickson. Who? Exactly. Roky Erickson is indeed many things, all at once. The greatest singer not many people have ever heard. The saddest could-have-been-a-contender parable in the annals of rock. An authentic icon who, while written off even by those who at one time followed him, attracted artists such as R.E.M., ZZ Top, Julian Cope and The Jesus and Mary Chain to take part in the excellent 1990 tribute album Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye . Via above link.. Note; I just remembered that in 1966 the band was on the same label and were friends with The Red Krayola and Mayo Thompson which had Roky on many later releases. 13th Floor Elevators - Your Gonna Miss Me Unfortunately, Roky's struggles with drug abuse and mental illness took a serious toll. His 1969 arrest in Texas for possession of a single marijuana cigarette led to his being committed for three years to Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, where he was reportedly subjected to Thorazine, electroshock therapy, and other experimental treatments. Most agree he was never the same after his release. Roky has had prolific periods of creativity in the intervening years, but unscrupulous managers and record label executives often took advantage of his condition, leaving Roky to live in poverty while others profit from his music. Shades of Francis Farmer and maybe a bit of Daniel Johnston.(not to mention the non famous victims of the dark practices of "mental rehab") These situations still happen as I've had friends lost in the most recent incarnations. Via Roky's page. Thanks Tim!!!! Links Coalition for the Abolition of Electroshock in Texas Rock to Ban Shock, Electroshock video.(explicit footage)