Roky Erickson - Philosophy, Religion and Music

[vuluv]

Pop music, commercial or whatever, should always strive for this.

[acousticgrooven]

Roky aint insane, he's exceeded our level of understanding. He's a breed ofhis own, and his mind has been enveloped by creativity. Got bored with the munedane reality and started creating his own reality to spice things up.

[NathFilms]

@acousticgrooven

bloody oath!

[yerk3]

I somehow get a feeling that both the Foo Fighters and Bonnie Prince Billy have heard this song at some early stage in their artistic development.

[spurtfather]

well Robert Pollard's obviously a fan.

[diskochimp]

Great performance, lovely song...

[tun3dears]

Animals also hav souls..sum r gud souls n sum r bad...gud souls can b ur friends...Lov u Roky..!

[anitashelby]

Awesome Share & Post!!!..Thankyou Gary...Anita..:)

[LeFruFru]

he totally contributed to grunge with this shit

[Hverglemer]

What song is he playing in the beginning? I like the tune!

[diecilire]

@Hverglemer the song is called "you don't love me yet"

[lylapanda]

I'm sure that Rocky would have been keen enough to have a tuned guitar... if they hadn't stuck wires in his brain.

[MikeInVentura]

AWESOME.... and No worries... Some people are in touch with their heart and connection to the universe and some aren't. 8 billion people w/ 8 billion realities..... They'll catch up eventually..................

[Masterphonic]

@MikeInVentura That's a beautiful thought, Mike. Rock on.

[shaftsbury94]

he didnt say much.

[hiikua]

3:36 of retarded music and then what is Roky doing???? Standing there in his plaid pants staring into never, never land. Roky, take another hit of acid. Geez!!! Give it up already.

[Canniballss]

THE REATARD STATE OF MIND!!!!!

[hiikua]

@Canniballss it's not REAtard, it's REtard, Geez!!!!!

[WanderingMidget]

@hiikua

Fuck you. If you don't like it, don't watch it.

[piiglumps]

@hiikua

stfu faggot who doesnt know what the fuck he's talking about you probably listen to the new age of shit music and have no respect for men like roky go fuck yourself u middle school piece of shit

[12Zwolf]

Thank You For Posting; Wow, what great voice, great music, great lyrics.

Cheers!

Valkyrie Ziege Mourne

[misconduckt]

Man, I was born this year, I can't go a month without spinning some Rocky, it would be great if there was some more unreleased tracks floating around, I've seen a lot of this VHS footage that would be fine with me on a cd, but it would have to come directly from the source know what I mean?

[slackmaster2000]

Shonazadog, youtube messed up your video; the audio\video is now out of sync for some reason. Maybe you should repost it

[leehollings]

Facinating, unique, wonderful....great job Rocky!

[EvelynDungeon]

@leehollings Why the hell, they put thumbs down?

[OldTimeRockRoll1969]

Sounded like the State boys showed up there at the end, sounded like a helicopter :)

Rock-On Roky !

[JrFLYnnIV]

His mother and father were the maniacs.

[Jabberw0cky7]

I love this guy, he's insane only for people with no soul at all !

[gordonshitybum]

this guitar playing is pretty much unbelievable You have to be different to be able to play like that

[fenriz218]

Having heard the guitar for the first time, I had to think of - strangley enough - Nirvana unplugged.

Way ahead of it's time stuff - always great to discover good music, when one is about to despair with the current, commercial s**t ...

[TheTrancereligious5]

"you have to be different to be able to play like that" WTFDUDE? Seriously how old are you?

Then: His voice makes it special, not the guitar.

But it rocks

[OldTimeRockRoll1969]

If Roky his self or anyone that knows Roky should happen to read this, I'd like for him to check out a YouTube video of a guy that he should remember. As I understand he is a lost friend of yours Roky. Check it out if you want to get in contact with him I can now help with that, Message me on here (YouTube) about him. Click my user name to understand what I'm talking about.

[dimensionseven]

where's the video? i was glad to watch it. can anyone upload it somewhere?

[Cotdail]

Roky, Roky playing a song, and cats - awesome! thanks.

[maximumriffage]

roky sounds like bob pollard's demos.. amazing!

[librarianeric]

Pffft! Pollard is so overrated.

Okay, maybe that's not fair because I do like the recorded material I've heard.

But when I saw GBV in San Diego a few years ago they sucked so bad I walked out. The guy was drunk and obnoxious. I swear to god he sounded like a spoiled frat boy. At least the Pogues can hold their liquor (for the most part).

On the other hand, I saw Roky last Friday on Halloween and he was great.

[RunyonFan]

This site should be called YouInsult.

What purpose did it serve to tell us that Pollard is overrated? Honestly.

maximumriffage and I were having a dialogue about an OPINION OF STYLE, not quality. It's an OPINION. Yours is valid too, but it had nothing to do with what we were talking about.

Go be negative to someone else.

[TheTrancereligious5]

dude you're totally right, sad but true

[RunyonFan]

Yeah, that sharp strumming style is definitely similar to Pollards. ("Teenage FBI" comes to mind.)

[RoachWayne]

bloody brilliant....and inspiring

[urheadonastick]

Dude your nasty-find a church or something

[tjwillburn12]

nevermind,

"You don't love me yet"

on "All That May Do My Rhyme"

This is a great version s-dog,

Thanks for posting!

[theledzeppguy]

The version by Bongwater is absolutely haunting and amazing as well.

[tjwillburn12]

does anybody know the name of this song?

the album?

[metaljen7734]

He is a beautiful talent and an amazing songwriter.

[Marioag20]

You need some work on your shit talking man. It doesn't work.

[Marioag20]

I'm not married, dumbass. Don't be hurt cause Roky is better than you, you immature fuck.

[henkychif]

His talent is obvious. Anyone see any similarity to Kurt Cobain?

[iamwar1]

You seem to have that backwards, my friend. I think you mean "Does anyone see any similarity in Kurt Cobain to Roky Erickson." And the answer in no.

[henkychif]

You obviously think Roky is a superior talent, and that's fine, but that's not what I asked. They both have the gift of making great music through pain. Both from Texas, both great talents, yeah there are a lot of differences but I feel they are somehow soul mates.

[Bonzo321]

Ya i have read Kurt liked the 13th Floor Elevators I see Kurts influince from Roky. They are alike in some ways i do see the similarities

[bearo657]

This sucks

[Marioag20]

Bearo657, get your guitar and show me something equal. Nothing huh? Yeah, shut the fuck up. Roky is amazing.

[Marioag20]

If you don't think this man has rare talent, you're an idiot. Roky is amazing... Just listen!

[paragkas]

Roky, I love u man ;) Come play for us in London, you can stay at my place ;-)

[elstuko]

Oh so sour guitar! but who cares. This guy just wanted to play his songs, and he does it so well!

[peachdaqri]

i dont know what to say... but its AMAZING!

[CthulhuWaitsDreaming]

You Don't Love Me Yet is such a great song. Thanks for sharing this!

[Bonzo321]

the 13th floor elevators should be known just like Cream and Hendrix and Roky in my opinion is up their with Dylan,Reed,and Lennon in song writing

[keyman112]

your not Roky Erickson.

[austinitesince1979]

A modern day Hamlet

[TexasTexan2]

This guitar sounds just like Foo Fighters

especially at the beginning

[surfstyley]

No.... the Foo Fighters guitar sounds like Roky's

[hooverdog1957]

Brilliant!

[unknown273423]

Got to look the Version of Reset. It´s the bomb!!!

[aprvanov]

Can anybody write the lyrics for Nothing In Return (from Don't Slander Me album)? That's an awesome song!!!

[aircooled73]

Roky wrote most of his songs down in his book "openers 2"

[Babyhowdy233]

Hey everyone,

there is an online petition to get Roky nominated into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!

We need to get 10,000 signatures before I can send it to the nomination committee for their approval.

YouTube won't let me post the URL for it here, but send me a message and I will give you the direct link to the petition!

[fetpipan77]

link me to roky!!!!

[Babyhowdy233]

fetpipan77,

Please send me a private email and I'll be very happy to give you the URL to this petition!

Unfortunately YouTube won't allow me to post the URL on the message board here!

Thanks! Let's get Roky where he belongs:

THE RRHOF! :)

[lehmonmusic]

Hello

Here's Walter Monnen from Lehmon... Please do your best to make possible Roky Erickson nomination to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame !

All the best

[moosey62]

You can come to Helsinki. He's playing here in December.

[catherinae]

How can I meet this guy? Good lord! Stunning!

[Ronnie7311]

I just love his voice. Loved him with the Elevators!

[fenwyfrnk]

does anybody have the complete lyrics? i cant tell what he's saying in some parts. "i may have anything i wish but i have bah blah bloo?" wtf? well, any help would be appreciated.

[goldenhill]

Lightning never strikes anymore

but I can't make it rain

because it would only lightning again

Lightning never strikes anymore

but I can't make it rain

because it would only cause me pain

I have my start but I never have begun

because without you my life is unsung

I have my start but I don't have a part

because without you it only breaks my heart

[goldenhill]

To be or not to be

that's the question unceasingly

but without you I would long to be yours to be

cause without you I'm not a king

cause without you it will never do

cause I can't think what life would be like without you

cause you don't love me yet

you don't love me yet

I just won't forget because you don't love me yet

[DEEDEEZOMBIE]

I may have anything I wish But I have the blues too, beause I don't have you.

[Babyhowdy233]

Fenwyfrnk,

I just sent you the lyrics you are having trouble understanding here...check your mail.

[Netheus]

A little over ten years out of the hospital and you can clearly see what it's done to him (watching further video either on You Tube or the recent official documentary will show a saddening slide until around 2001, when his baby brother gives up a few years of his life to more actively help Roky), but that untouchable beauty guarded by the final circle of fire around his soul remained unbroken... it now flowers again in a way I wish it could've for Syd.

- Troy Palmer (aka Chance Reaction)

[sbeck79]

After all Roky has been through, his music still touches a nerve, it is raw and pure. Reason being is because it all comes from what he's really feeling, no bullsh*tting. Just emotion pouring out, thank-you Roky for sharing yourself...

[Babyhowdy233]

OMG, I finally found out WHY Roky's eyes look so PAINED here:his wife had just left him! She had left him, and he had just returned home to live with Evelyn!

POOR ROKY! :(

[Babyhowdy233]

How I wish I could get a recording of this, as it's the ONLY PLACE so far that I've heard the COMPLETE VERSION of this song(with the MISSING LYRICS-lyrics NOT used in the studio recording)!

[Babyhowdy233]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this song!! And it's GREAT to hear the ADDITIONAL lyrics that got left out when Roky later recorded it!

[TJamesBell]

Ever heard Ann Magnuson's Bongwater cover from Roky Erickson Tribute album Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye? That tribute album was a fundraiser for Roky when he had some major legal troubles. Ann is a big fan, and all the artists on there really put their hearts into it. Check it out if you haven't already.

[Babyhowdy233]

I've heard Bongwater's cover but had no idea Ann Magnuson was in that band!

[Babyhowdy233]

Evelyn Erickson(to Roky):"OKAY, hon!"

TOO cute! :)

[PamfromHell]

This is so fantastic. I just love this song, and I love Roky´s expression here... I´ve sen this video a hundred times, can´t get enough.

[toecutterr6]

This guy is great! is it ROKY,(like 'rocky' or 'rowky'?)

[Babyhowdy233]

toecutterr6,

It's pronounced "ROCKY". It's a combination of his actual first name("Roger")and his middle name ("Kynard"). Evelyn's maiden name was Kynard.

[Babyhowdy233]

This is PRICELESS! Thanks SOOOO MUCH for posting this in it's entire content...should be required viewing in any Music 101 class!

[licketysplit101]

Yeah, he chucked em out. It was awesome.

[nootaramus]

I saw the 13th floor elevators in Houston a few times- very cool sound with their electric jug and of course roky was quite a front man. they were PSYCHEDELIC in the truest sense of the word. and of course LSD was everywhere - an ordinary Monday nite could get interesting pretty quick with a hit of LSD and trip to market square to see someone like the elevators. good old days.

[markmacelhiney]

Robert Pollard's got nothin on this guy. True American Original.

[heyholden]

No question Roky is THE MAN!!!! Super. Wish I could have seen him onstage in the 60's with the Elevators..

[Cocrteau3]

DITTO! Roky came after Buddy Holly but way before Black Sabbath and to me Buddy always rocked more than Ozzy and Roky can't be even considered to be at such a banal level that BS or Ozzy operate...So I pledge allegiance to Roky and to the ever lasting Blieb Alien!

[MercyfulFate]

Gonna see Roky this summer at Hultsfreds festival on sweden!

[highflyinreed]

someone had never sounded so good sucking at guitar.

[TJamesBell]

lol. Well said.

[gsr67]

was this song ever re-issued recently with th e other stuff.... thanx for any info ... if peopel only knew the influence he had on so many bands

[gsr67]

Thanx a million shonazadog  made my day seeing roky

[shonazadog]

Yep, I hope the remainder of his tragic life is beautiful.

[anthony74]

We all love you Roky,ur a fuckin genius man.

[slackmaster2000]

Thanks again shonazadog; keep coming back to this post; such an amazing song and performance

[shonazadog]

You're welcome! Love it ,too. I can't get the song out of my head ...

[MountAthos]

He can sing well, has interesting lyrics, but why can't he tune his guitar?

[xylopsyche]

this is so great....every guided by voices song is in this one tune.

[xz4q18]

if he;s not performing anymore how come I've several appearances by him lookin well, playing at festivals in Texas

?

[shonazadog]

Syd passed away earlier this year and was quickly followed by another flawed genius,Arthur Lee.

Roky, on the other hand, is enjoying a resurgence of his career since his medication was finally sorted out.

He plays around his home town in Austin but his influence is definitely growing.

[dlagrua]

Sadly Rocky can no longer perform due to his acute mental illness. Its a tragic ending for one of the great performers of the 1960's. His addiction to LSD added to his creativity but probably took it's toll.

[joshsirjoshules]

Perhaps you are thinking of Syd Barrett? Roky still performs, just rarely.

[jjjjak]

addiction to lsd what a laugh you jerk

[shonazadog]

Yes, it's called You Don't Love me yet (1984) and it has been covered by several artistes since because it is a true classic.

[joshsirjoshules]

Does anybody know what song this is?

[higherground102]

So Americana Punk and beautiful.. Austin rocks as well. Thnaks man.. 3 chords can deliver.

[Bietel]

Gosh, if only I could do the same with 3 chords... (No, that's not sarcasm - it's from the heart!)

[slackmaster2000]

great post; Roky has great voice/guitar/writing skills

Wish I could find more of him solo and 13th Floor

[rtp2003]

beautiful

[shonazadog]

Yes, remarkably so, in its simplicity.

[meatrobot]

Evelyn's house, Arthur Lane, Austin, TX!

[meatrobot]

This was recorded by Roky's mother Evelyn,June 1st 1983.

[shonazadog]

Thanks very much for that information! Was this at his /her home?