The 13th Floor Elevators frontman has passed away in Austin, Texas, prompting the likes of Mark Lanegan, Flea and Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai to pay tribute to the rock legend.
- June 3, 2019
AceShowbiz - The 13th Floor Elevators frontman Roky Erickson has died in Austin, Texas, aged 71.
The psychedelic rock legend formed the influential 13th Floor Elevators in 1965 after dropping out of high school and the band released its debut album, "The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators", the following year. The group released three more albums, including 1969's "Bull of the Woods".
Erickson became a cult act throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and found major acclaim in 1990 with tribute album "When the Pyramid Meets the Eye". His 1995 release, "All That May Do My Rhyme", was also a critical success, while the 2005 documentary "You're Gonna Miss Me" introduced Roky to a new generation.
Three years later he collaborated with indie rockers Mogwai on the track "Devil Rides", and in 2010, he recruited Okkervil River as his backing band and released the acclaimed album "True Love Cast Out All Evil". He reunited the 13th Floor Elevators in 2015 to headline Austin's Levitation festival.
His career was overshadowed by legal issues and mental health problems - he was institutionalised and forced to undergo electroconvulsive therapy after he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in the late 1960s.
Singer/songwriters Mark Lanegan and Flea have become among the first fans to pay tribute to Roky, while Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite tweets, "The worst news. Rest in peace Roky."
Erickson's death has been confirmed by his brother, but no further details have been released.
