Roky erickson ghost

Roky Erickson (born Roger Kynard Erickson on July 15, 1947, died May 31, 2019) was 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 one of the first two bands to ever use the word "psychedelic" ( + see The Deep) 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

Roky Erickson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

Roky Erickson

Erickson performing at Austin Music Awards 2008

Background information
Birth nameRoger Kynard Erickson
Born(1947-07-15)July 15, 1947
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
DiedMay 31, 2019(2019-05-31) (aged 71)
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
  • harmonica
  • piano
Years active1964–2019
Labels
  • Columbia
  • CBS
  • Restless
  • Pink Dust
  • Enigma Records
  • Five Hours Back
  • Fan Club
  • Sympathy for the Record Industry
  • Triple X
  • Emperor Jones
  • Norton
  • New Rose
  • Swordfish
Associated acts
  • The 13th Floor Elevators
  • Roky Erickson & the Aliens
  • The Explosives
  • Okkervil River
  • The Black Angels
  • The Spades

Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson (July 15, 1947 – May 31, 2019) was an American musician and singer-songwriter. He was a founding member and the leader of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.

Biography

Erickson was born in Dallas, Texas, to Roger and Evelyn Erickson, and had fou

Roky Erickson

American musician (1947–2019)

Musical artist

Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson (July 15, 1947 – May 31, 2019) was an American musician and singer-songwriter. He was a founding member and the leader of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre in the 1960s, as well as horror rock in the 1970s and 80s.[1]

Biography

Erickson was born in Dallas, Texas to Roger and Evelyn Erickson, and had four younger brothers. The nickname "Roky", a contraction of his first and middle names, was given to him by his parents.[2] His father, an architect and civil engineer, was stern and disapproving of Erickson's countercultural attitudes, once forcibly cutting his son's hair rather than allow him to grow it out Beatles-style. His mother was an amateur artist and opera singer, and encouraged Erickson's musical talent by taking guitar lessons herself so she could teach him.[3]

Erickson was interested in music from his youth, playing piano from age five and taking up guitar at 10. He attended school in Austin and

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