Roky Erickson has reportedly passed away.
Variety is reporting that Erickson’s death was confirmed by his brother Mikel to Bill Bentley, who went on to say “He lived so much, and not always on this planet.”
On his Facebook page he posted a touching message saying…
In 1966 Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators gave me a gift showing that eternity lives inside us. When I saw Roky in San Francisco last month, performing those early songs, I realized it was one of the most momentous gifts I’ve ever received. Thank you Roky. I will never forget it, nor you as you continue your journey into the next life. May the circle remain unbroken.
Erickson (full name Roger Kynard “Roky” Erickson) was “a prominent American singer-songwriter, harmonica player, and guitarist from Texas, as well as a founding member of The 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.”
He maintained a presence in the music scene up through his passing. Here are just a few of the messages that have already started pouring in on social media…
#RokyErickson. Rest in power. pic.twitter.com/vN2gBp6sVO
— aquarium drunkard (@aquadrunkard) May 31, 2019
Psychedelic pioneer Roky Erickson dead at 71. RIP. Some words from a while ago… "In a late '70s interview, Erickson talked about a life lived in three phases: as a Christian, a friend of the devil, and an alien." https://t.co/oRm1sVlaAO pic.twitter.com/Tj7L1xgaof
— Greg Kot (@gregkot) May 31, 2019
Rest in peace #Roky. A musical innovator and legend. My dear friend @jasonpwoodbury summed it up best. “I don’t think any one person invented psychedelic rock, but if someone did, it was #RokyErickson.” We won’t see his kind again… pic.twitter.com/dhFpII4YKi
— Jeff Paul (@Jeff_Paul) May 31, 2019
aw man, flying my freak flag at half-mast & blasting "you're gonna miss me" for roky erickson, 1947-2019. https://t.co/Jw4rWxdVBd pic.twitter.com/rBV3I0kveX
— jesse jarnow (@bourgwick@heads.social) (@bourgwick) May 31, 2019
Roky Erickson, psychedelic rock pioneer, has died at age 71 https://t.co/loYQSyqyI2
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) June 1, 2019
Roky Erickson has died https://t.co/RfMOgO6KTu
— Pitchfork (@pitchfork) June 1, 2019
Here’s an hour long set from last year’s show in Los Angeles.
