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Roky Erickson, one of the most enduring and adventurous representatives of American psychedelic rock, died at the age of 71.
Erickson's death was confirmed by his representatives in a statement describing him as "a heroic icon of modern rock and one of the best friends of music to date". The cause of death was not disclosed and the representatives appealed to her family's privacy.
Billy Gibbons, a longtime friend of ZZ Top, said, "It's almost unfathomable to contemplate a world without Roky Erickson. He created his own musical galaxy and was very early inspired. "
Erickson was the singer of the 13th Floor Elevators, a psycho rock band from Austin, Texas, where he grew up. Their first exciting single, You are Gonna Miss Me, which is part of the Nuggets compilation that sets the garage rock of the 1960s, remains one of the most famous songs on the scene. Peter Buck of REM had previously described it as "Louie Louie aside". He reached the 55th position of the American charts and caused a televised appearance at the American bandstand; Janis Joplin considered at one point to join the group.
The group advocated the use of LSD and their work became more and more extensive. Their eight-minute song, Slip Inside this House, from their second album, would later be replayed by Primal Scream.
Erickson has been dealing with mental health issues throughout his life and has often been treated at the hospital for schizophrenia. When he was arrested for possession of marijuana in 1969, he chose to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital instead of imprisonment. He ended up spending three years in a maximum security hospital and received a damaging electrical shock treatment. Hospitalization ended the group's career, which met for one-off concerts in 1984 and 2015.
Erikcson continued solo, with support groups including Aliens and Explosives, although his mental health continues to suffer and he plays less in the 1980s and 90s. He is married twice and had three children. He told reporter Nick Kent that he was a stranger, which he confirmed to the Guardian during an interview in 2007: "At one point, I had notified that I was Was originally from another planet. By a lawyer. In 1989, he was arrested for stealing mail from his neighbors, although the charges were later dropped.
His youngest brother, Sumner, was placed in his custody in 2001.
His improved health has brought him back to performance by collaborating with groups such as Mogwai and Okkervil River. Both acts paid homage to him on Saturday, describing him as "the most wonderfully unique person I've ever known and perhaps the most brilliant."
Starting in 2007, Erickson toured more extensively and gave prestigious concerts at the Coachella Festival and at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Several other musicians have paid tribute.
Mark Lanegan tweeted: "Devastated to learn of the death of Roky Erickson. One of the reasons I started singing A huge inspiration and giant; in the history of rock. "
Cedric Bixler-Zavala, of Volta in the Drive and Mars Volta, wrote: "You have given us such beautiful music. We did not deserve you, "while Neko Case wrote," I have to go to the woods. This whore hurts. "
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