Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson (July 15, 1947 – May 31, 2019) was an American singer-songwriter, harmonica player, and guitarist from Texas. He was a founding member of The 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre. Erickson co-founded the 13th Floor Elevators in late 1965. He and bandmate Tommy Hall were the main songwriters. Early in her career, singer Janis Joplin considered joining the Elevators, but Family Dog's Chet Helms persuaded her to go to San Francisco instead, where she found major fame. (read more on wikipedia)
Links to Peel
Peel knew of Erickson's band, The 13th Floor Elevators, who were one of the pioneers of psychedelic rock, which he used to play quite often on his shows. He took also interest in Roky Erickson's solo career, especially in the 80's, when he was in the band Roky Erickson & The Aliens. In 1991, Peel played some tracks from artists covering Erickson's songs, following the release of the tribute covers compilation "Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye", highlighting the musician's continuing influence.
Shows Played
- 29 July 1980: The Creature With The Atom Brain (7") CBS
- 04 August 1980: 'Creature With The Atom Brain (7")' (CBS) (JP: 'Now that's the sort of thing that ought to be somebody's record of the week.')
- 09 August 1980 (BFBS): The Creature With The Atom Brain (7") CBS
- 26 August 1980: Cold Night For Alligators (album - Roky Erickson And The Aliens) CBS
- 27 August 1980: I Walked With A Zombie (LP - Roky Erickson And The Aliens) CBS
- 28 August 1980: I Walked With A Zombie (album - Roky Erickson And The Aliens) CBS
- 01 September 1980: Night Of The Vampire (LP - Roky Erickson And The Aliens) CBS
- 13 September 1980 (BFBS): Cold Night For Alligators (album - Roky Erickson And The Aliens) CBS
- 1981
- 21 October 1981: Sputnik (LP - The Evil One) 415
- 1985
- 13 August 1985: Clear Night For Love (12" - Clear Night For Love) New Rose
- 11 September 1985: Starry Eyes (12" - Clear Night For Love) New Rose
- 11 November 1985: Creature With The Atom Brain (LP - Roky Erickson And The Aliens) CBS
- 1986
- 08 September 1986: The Beast (12" - Roky Erickson And Evil Hook Wildlife ET.) One Big Guitar
- 1994
- 04 November 1994: 'We Are Never Talking (7")' (Trance Syndicate)
- 12 November 1994 (BFBS): 'We Are Never Talking (CD-All That May Do My Rhyme)' (Trance Syndicate)
- 25 November 1994: We Are Never Talking (7") Trance Syndicate
- 2002
- 03 January 2002: Cold Night For Alligators (live)
Covered
(The list below was compiled only from the Cover Versions page of this site. Please add more information if known.)
Artist | Track | First Known Play
- Lou Ann Barton: Don't Slander Me 02 March 1991 (BFBS)
- Bongwater: You Don't Love Me Yet (session) 13 April 1991
- Julian Cope: I Have Always Been Here Before 09 February 1991
