Eye Mind: The Saga of Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators, The Pioneers of Psychedelic Sound
by Paul Drummond
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Book Summary Information
Author: Paul DrummondForeword: Julian Cope
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2007-11
ISBN: 0976082268
Number of pages: 454
Publisher: PROCESS
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780976082262
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Book Reviews of Eye Mind: The Saga of Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators, The Pioneers of Psychedelic Sound
Book Review: Eye Mind: The Saga of the 13th Floor Elevators
Summary: 5 Stars
Just about everyone worth their salt has at least a cursory knowledge of Roky Erickson and the Elevators. "You're Gonna Miss Me", is rightfully regarded as an all time 60's garage classic, covered by countless bands over the years. A smaller segment yet are aware of Roky's sporadic but no less astounding solo career. This is where it ends for most but the fortunate few who were around during the Elevators "heyday". Shrouded in silence and mystery since the Elevators demise in '69, Paul Drummond wrote and released the long overdue and exhaustively researched bio on what turns out to be one of if not the greatest (but also one of the best kept secrets) bands of all time. As an aside I would implore all readers to delve into the music of this phenominal combo, finally again available for public consumption. The Elevators life spanned only four years, but in that time they blazed the trail for many highly regarded bands that followed, influenceing countless more even to this day and getting virtually none of the credit, monetary or otherwise-until now. It is interesting to note that contemporaries of The Elevators to a man regard them in revered awe. Their story is one of Shakespearian tragedy. They take San Francisco by storm prior to the scenes explosion, and leave prior to subsequent major label signing frenzy never to return. Forever hounded by Texas authorities seeking to make an example of them due to their open embracement pot of LSD. Finally the saga ending in jail, mental institutions and death for its members. The Elevator story is witness to the dawning of the drug culture that we have today, which in effect did not exist prior to the Elevators. As with most things, the original intent never squares w/ future perversion of any movement. Virtually all the members bought into the super highway to enlightenment and God that LSD was thought to provide to those that could control and understand what they sought. All involved w/ The Elevators from their label, International Artists, to Leland Rogers (Kennys brother) the producer, to band members and parents and friends of band members, all having had equal parts in ineptitude, each possesing something the others lacked creating the perfect storm for failure w/ regard to commercial success. It is interesting to realize that w/ a single "right" move here or there, they would have been one of the worlds most popular bands while (I believe) even further solidifying their position as one of the greatest and most ground breaking. In an era when all bands were being screwed by labels, booking agencies and lawyers, it does not appear that The Elevators collected a dime for their efforts. All of their material was recorded on 3 track, on a shoestring budget, and a compressed time frame, it is even more a testament to their greatness that they could piece together the great and classic records they did given what they had to work with. In the end I am left w/ a feeling of great saddness about their story for what might have been. What could they have done if they had the studio technology and time say the Beatles had (The Elevators regarded the Beatles and Dylan as the greatest of bands)even for that era, or if a single break went their way, how the course of their history would've been altered. The silver lining and happy ending is that at least now they are getting their due. Roky seems healthy and happy. Amazingly none of the band remaining seem bitter about what befell them all those years ago, and this book served as a healing tool among its members. I have read many a rock biography over the years, but none are as good as this which transcends the music. Given what we have today in the music industry,and world in general, the Elevators story almost does not seem possible. Yet it did happen and today we are most fortunate to be able to go back and appreciate the true and enduring greatness of Roky and The Elevators.
More Eye Mind: The Saga of Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators, The Pioneers of Psychedelic Sound reviews:
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Summary of Eye Mind: The Saga of Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators, The Pioneers of Psychedelic Sound
"One of the most exhilarating and important rock 'n' roll stories ever told."-Julian Cope
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 in Texas and their escape to San Francisco's embryonic counterculture are legendary.
When the Elevators returned to Texas, the band became subject to investigation by Austin police. Lead singer Roky Erickson was forced into a real-life enactment of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest and 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, and the bassist was drafted into the Vietnam War.
This fascinating biography breaks decades of silence of band members and addresses a huge cult following of Elevators fans in the United States and Europe. The group is revered as a formative influence on Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Patti Smith, Primal Scream, R.E.M, and Z.Z. Top.
Roky Erickson is the subject of a heralded recent documentary feature, You're Gonna Miss Me; a box set of remastered Elevators CDs with liner notes by author Paul Drummond will be issued in fall 2007.
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