We went to see Roky Erikson Friday night at the Paramount. What an amazing show! The evening started with a showing of the documentary film on his life, You’re Gonna Miss Me. It was very heart-wrenching. It’s makes one wonder how many creative people survive the damage inflicted on them by truly dysfunctional parents (and how many don’t); how many would become creative without being raised in that kind of insanity, and how many wouldn’t… I think both Roky and his younger brother, Sumner, are incredibly brave for displaying the honest tragedy of their upbringing, and the subsequent events, both good and bad.
After the movie, Roky and his current band played an amazingly great set. It was his birthday performance, and he was totally present — playing and singing fabulously. Songs like, “Starry Eyes,” “Two-Headed Dog,” and of course, “You’re Gonna Miss Me.” What a treat!
(Roky was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators and pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.[1])