His best stuff is always just him and an acoustic guitar. Creature with the atom brain in a cemetery. Goodbye sweet dreams at the end of the your Gona miss me documentary. Bloody hammer that Halloween gig. And this. Awesome. Original. Nothing else like it
I heard Roky and someone else singing 'Starry Eyes' on KUT this afternoon, and thought to myself, 'I've got to learn this song today! I'm a native Austinite myself, but I still haven't heard much of Rocky's work. I know I heard the song before somewhere, but I didn't know until now it was Roky Erickson.
This was from his 45th Birthday show in '92 . About a year later , he did a series of live shows in Austin , with a full band , Mystic Knights of The Sea (Speedy Sparks , Mike Buck , John X. Reed , Will Sexton , sometimes Alvin Crow.) , each one about 4 or 5 songs , total. He did a couple of acoustic sets , too , before retiring from live music once more , not resurfacing until 2005.
I think I definitely hear an E minor chord in Two Headed Dog that I am not hearing in Starry Eyes, maybe a C chord also, some of the same chords, but a different progression. This is definitely one of my favorite videos!
This video, of course, is from 1997, which is before Sumner intervened on his brother's behalf. Roky is doing so much better these days. I remember live performances from the 1980s where he was fantastic, and his recent appearances prove he's back "On the Right Track Now."
Students of history: Roky Erickson & the 13th Floor Elevators took lsd on stage 1 week before the Grateful Dead first did, making Roky & the Elevators(from Austin, Texas!) the 1st of many Psychedelic Rock bands and founders of a whole genre of music.
I just think he's still troubled at this point (1997), but this took tremendous courage to get up and play and fight the demons. He played in 2006 some tremendous blues at Earth day, Austin. Check it out. Great man.
I had heard of this guy only from the credits to the 1984 "Return of the Living Dead" for a song called "Burn the Flames". Same guy? I just saw that documen'try on netflix.
In the video, it seems like the people who asked him to perform must be old friends of his and all three of them look like they fried their brains on way too much lsd and are having a nostalgic flashback deja vu moment. From the rather loud and enthusiastic applause, it sounds like the crowd certainly is pleased.
The bridge (3rd verse) I play almost identical to the verse part, except switched around. Start on the G chord(1 measure), then start the progression from the beginning, only the D will be at the end of each line, hammer on the bass F# (while holding the D chord), and the G chord should start off the next line followed by the A chord, then back to the D. In the video, Roky isn't all there, but this is the way I think he meant to play it.
No one knows who Roky & the Elevators are because unlike the Grateful Dead (who had a successful career,) drugs did the band in. The lead guitarist was killed by his wife and the lead vocalist, Roky, was put in a mental hospital for a long time. Roky sold the song Starry Eyes to Doug Sahm for a smoothie. Wow...!!
I think the way to play it is: D (1 measure) then hold the D chord and use yer thumb to hammer on the bass F# (1 measure) then G (1 measure) then A (1 measure). When doing the A, hold 3rd fret on top 2 strings and release to a more full A chord.
he was really out of it and really did,nt remember all the chourds to his songs at this point ,starry eye,s is the same chourds as two headed dog , and it would have helped if the guitar was in tune , this was a sad part of his life , he is now much better and plays all over the world ...in tune !
It may very well be in 1997, and the text on the screen also seem to state that it is 1997, but the file I uploaded was named something like "Roky Erickson birthday 1992" so I just asumed that the clip was from 1992.
It is a little difficult to see his fingers all the way through the video, and it seems to me that the guitar is either altered tuning or slighly out, but it sounds mostly like D Em G and A. I will transcribe it fully and get back to you with more specific details on the changes.
He can't remember the chords to Starry Eyes, but he's singing it over whatever chords he can remember. This is not a fair representation of what Roky does when he's ON. He's not in balance on this day.
I'm not sure that is of much help, since it sounds like Roky is playing the wrong chords in both songs in this video. In THD only the words are right, while in Starry Eyes he at least got the vocal melody right, though the chords still sound wrong. Thank goodness he's doing much better these days.
fact. while in the mental hospital roky underwent years of electroshock "therapy". look at the early footage of him pre-hospital... dynamic and bright, and then after... zombie.
definately not roky's best. the best is the beginning where he's obviously very annoyed with the woman... "awright, awright, awright... YEA! how yall doin?"
playing two songs at the same time is quite an achievement and another example of Rokys deranged genius!
Add Roky Erickson to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!!
Should be automatic for such a starry eyed hero!
The so called "hall of fame" is a joke (it's only industry people that vote on it). Roky's too cool for that. He's for the people.
This video is so sad. The empty look in his eyes...you can tell he was such a tortured man.
Roky. Dig you, and your songs.
His best stuff is always just him and an acoustic guitar. Creature with the atom brain in a cemetery. Goodbye sweet dreams at the end of the your Gona miss me documentary. Bloody hammer that Halloween gig. And this. Awesome. Original. Nothing else like it
The chords are D B A G. The song starts on D. But the D has a slight variation where the pinky plays fret 3 on the E string.
I heard Roky and someone else singing 'Starry Eyes' on KUT this afternoon, and thought to myself, 'I've got to learn this song today! I'm a native Austinite myself, but I still haven't heard much of Rocky's work. I know I heard the song before somewhere, but I didn't know until now it was Roky Erickson.
This guy is the dogs. Straight up!
this is amazing
This was from his 45th Birthday show in '92 . About a year later , he did a series of live shows in Austin , with a full band , Mystic Knights of The Sea (Speedy Sparks , Mike Buck , John X. Reed , Will Sexton , sometimes Alvin Crow.) , each one about 4 or 5 songs , total. He did a couple of acoustic sets , too , before retiring from live music once more , not resurfacing until 2005.
It seems he's forgotten the chords on both songs.
I think I definitely hear an E minor chord in Two Headed Dog that I am not hearing in Starry Eyes, maybe a C chord also, some of the same chords, but a different progression. This is definitely one of my favorite videos!
roky erickson saved my dad's life
James Hanson would you share more?
great voice and presence
awesome, thanks.
Genius.
This video, of course, is from 1997, which is before Sumner intervened on his brother's behalf. Roky is doing so much better these days. I remember live performances from the 1980s where he was fantastic, and his recent appearances prove he's back "On the Right Track Now."
Students of history: Roky Erickson & the 13th Floor Elevators took lsd on stage 1 week before the Grateful Dead first did, making Roky & the Elevators(from Austin, Texas!) the 1st of many Psychedelic Rock bands and founders of a whole genre of music.
I just think he's still troubled at this point (1997), but this took tremendous courage to get up and play and fight the demons. He played in 2006 some tremendous blues at Earth day, Austin. Check it out. Great man.
Sounds alright to me.... i love this version
AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!! ROKY!!!!!!!
I had heard of this guy only from the credits to the 1984 "Return of the Living Dead" for a song called "Burn the Flames". Same guy? I just saw that documen'try on netflix.
moi!
great roky!
Insuperable
In the video, it seems like the people who asked him to perform must be old friends of his and all three of them look like they fried their brains on way too much lsd and are having a nostalgic flashback deja vu moment. From the rather loud and enthusiastic applause, it sounds like the crowd certainly is pleased.
The bridge (3rd verse) I play almost identical to the verse part, except switched around. Start on the G chord(1 measure), then start the progression from the beginning, only the D will be at the end of each line, hammer on the bass F# (while holding the D chord), and the G chord should start off the next line followed by the A chord, then back to the D. In the video, Roky isn't all there, but this is the way I think he meant to play it.
Pick Up A Bottle Cap And Play Along With Roky
:)
wow hiikua, you went and looked up roky just to trash talk him? you sure have a burning spot for him somewhere.
much love to roky
No one knows who Roky & the Elevators are because unlike the Grateful Dead (who had a successful career,) drugs did the band in. The lead guitarist was killed by his wife and the lead vocalist, Roky, was put in a mental hospital for a long time. Roky sold the song Starry Eyes to Doug Sahm for a smoothie. Wow...!!
just discovered roky. Obviously, someone has noticed that he resembles Hagrid . the man has a fresh voice and writing style.
I think the way to play it is: D (1 measure) then hold the D chord and use yer thumb to hammer on the bass F# (1 measure) then G (1 measure) then A (1 measure). When doing the A, hold 3rd fret on top 2 strings and release to a more full A chord.
he was really out of it and really did,nt remember all the chourds to his songs at this point ,starry eye,s is the same chourds as two headed dog , and it would have helped if the guitar was in tune , this was a sad part of his life , he is now much better and plays all over the world ...in tune !
True, he plays the same chords on both songs..sad for him. Esp. after seeing "You're Gonna Miss Me"
It may very well be in 1997, and the text on the screen also seem to state that it is 1997, but the file I uploaded was named something like "Roky Erickson birthday 1992" so I just asumed that the clip was from 1992.
It is a little difficult to see his fingers all the way through the video, and it seems to me that the guitar is either altered tuning or slighly out, but it sounds mostly like D Em G and A. I will transcribe it fully and get back to you with more specific details on the changes.
Just genius despite all his bs treatment someone some where is guilty of destroying this genius!
some nice melocholy there
He can't remember the chords to Starry Eyes, but he's singing it over whatever chords he can remember. This is not a fair representation of what Roky does when he's ON. He's not in balance on this day.
I'm not sure that is of much help, since it sounds like Roky is playing the wrong chords in both songs in this video. In THD only the words are right, while in Starry Eyes he at least got the vocal melody right, though the chords still sound wrong.
Thank goodness he's doing much better these days.
Is it just me or does the audio not sync up at all? Regardless thanks so much for the footage.
is this still going on? I would have loved to sign it and have all my friends do so aswell....
yeah, i'd be interested in the chords:) send 'em please!
does any one know the chords to this song?
fact. while in the mental hospital roky underwent years of electroshock "therapy".
look at the early footage of him pre-hospital... dynamic and bright, and then after... zombie.
Taking thorazine for years robbed him of his memory.
I'd actually like the lyrics to be posted.
I would choose the penitentury over being electrified for no reason
Penitentiary** Electrocuted***
F*ckin A man!
i've worked out the chords if anyones interested? Hail Roky!
0:14
I thought Charles Manson was freaky...holy shit, this guy is whacked, but I still love it.
theonlytruepunk 11 years ago?!?
@Babyhowdy233
great songs, but wtf is in his hair
telio
Not anyone's problem but yours if you're intimidated by Ween. Go get a shrink.
definately not roky's best. the best is the beginning where he's obviously very annoyed with the woman... "awright, awright, awright... YEA! how yall doin?"
Actually, Manson had some pretty decent tunes as well. He has little man syndrome and always did things to make himself seem bigger...
Poor Roky, this is a freakshow. He´s so much better than this.
fuck, I really loves hime but I have to admit this video is funny, he's so out of tune and playing the exact same chords haha