Book about Roky Erickson

Earlier this week I mentioned that I had watched You're Gonna Miss Me, an excellent documentary about musician Roky Erickson. I forgot to mention that my friends at Process Media recently published a book about Erickson, called Eye Mind: The Saga of Roky Erickson and The 13th Floor Elevators, The Pioneers of Psychedelic Sound.

The trailblazing 13th Floor Elevators released the first “psychedelic” rock album in America, transforming culture throughout the 1960s and beyond. The Elevators followed their own spiritual cosmic agenda — to change society by finding a new path to enlightenment. Their battles with repressive authorities are legendary.

Lead singer Roky Erickson was put away in a maximum security unit for the criminally insane for years. Tommy Hall, their Svengali lyricist, lived in a cave. Guitarist Stacy Sutherland was imprisoned. The drummer was involuntarily subjected to electric shock treatments.

This fascinating biography breaks decades of silence of band members and features dozens of never-before-printed photos. “One of the most exhilarating rock ‘n’ roll stories ever told.” — Julian Cope

Eye Mind: The Saga of Roky Erickson and The 13th Floor Elevators, The Pioneers of Psychedelic Sound

• [Anonymous]

  Tank Riot did a great episode about him as well:

  http://www.tankriot.com/2006/020/

• [jgrassick]

  There is also a giant 10cd & book boxset coming soon. See http://www.internationalartistsrecords.com/13th_floor_elevators_sign_of_the_three_eyed_men.html

• [Drummer]

  Ww. Ths gys snd lk rl hrs. Lt’s b lk thm.

  BTW, thr msc sckd. Ns t bst.

• [missed]

  I read the book several months ago, it’s quite good and fairly comprehensive. Love the music save for the jug… ruins the whole thing, imho.

• [gladeye]

  I have this book and I loved it. It is very well researched and a fascinating read about a band that met bad break after bad break. They were absolutely unique though and not motivated by money,fame,and girls. They were sincerely trying to convey a very psychedelic message that ran much deeper than gimmicks such as light shows. There goal onstage was to “play the acid”. Tommy Hall (the admittedly limited jugplayer) was into some very complex philosophies and theories. Check out the lyrics to Slip Inside this House or Postures (Leave Your Body Behind). Yes, they were sadly poorly recorded, but to my ears the magic still shines through.I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about fascinating rock and roll stories or cultural phenomenoms.

• [Telecustard]

  This group is one of the great undiscovered treasures of an era of music that has been largely suppressed. While many seem to be put off by the jug, one thing I noticed about it is that in a big playlist with other ’60s underground music where a lot of the songs might sound similar to the uninitiated, the Elevators are immediately recognizable. It’s an entirely unique aural trademark.

  If you think the Sixties are what you hear on your average classic rock station, you are missing an essential part of the story. If you wanted to hear the true context of why this group is so important, then you can check out

  http://www.beyondthebeatgeneration.com

  The person hosting it has several Elevators songs in his 8500+ song playlist. And awesome promos and ads from the time period. Very groovy!

• [crackerjack]

  Drummer, your comment reflects your lack of knowledge about society–and music for that matter–in the mid-to-late 60s.

  Here’s why Roky wound up in a mental hospital: “In 1969, Erickson was arrested for possession of one marijuana joint in Austin. Facing a ten-year prison term, Erickson pled not guilty by reason of insanity. He was first sent to the Austin State Hospital. After several escapes, he was sent to the Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, where he was subjected to more electroconvulsive therapy and Thorazine treatments, ultimately remaining in custody until 1972.” (Taken from the Wikepedia article.)

  Electroshock for a joint.

  The seminal psychedelic band. A seminal garage/proto-punk garage band. Contributed to a cosmic shift in rock and roll. Ain’t nothin’ shabby about that.