Roky Erickson
Nee: Roger Erickson
Bands: The 13th Floor Elevators, solo artist
Position: vocalist/guitarist
Died: May 31
Cause of death: undisclosed
Age: 71
Distinctions: Considered one of the founders of '60s psychedelic garage rock, he led the Austin-based 13th Floor Elevators who had a No. 55 hit with "You're Gonna Miss Me" in 1966 off their debut album, The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators. He went on to lead Roky Erickson & the Aliens and Roky Erickson & the Resurrectionists and record 15 studio albums as a solo artist. The 2007 film You're Gonna Miss Me documents his unusual life and career. In 1967, after being arrested for possessing a small amount of marijuana, he pled insanity and was institutionalized for three years. Erickson became more erratic mentally from that point on and was never the same, though he remained a respected and legendary figure in Austin, where he performed occasionally until his death.
