Legendary psychedelic rock star Roky Erickson has died at the age of 71.
Regarded as one of the most enduring and adventurous exponents of American psychedelia, Erickson was the frontman of the 13th Floor Elevators, a band from Austin in Texas, where he grew up.
His death was confirmed by his representatives in a statement that described Erickson as a "heroic icon of modern rock’n’roll and one of the best friends the music ever had".
The cause of his death had not been released and the representatives appealed for privacy for his family.
The 13th Floor Elevators' debut single, You’re Gonna Miss Me, was included on Lenny Kaye's much-lauded Nuggets compilation that defined 1960s' garage rock, and remains one of the most celebrated songs from that scene.
"It is a really great pop song," Lenny Kaye told Uncut. "That song was the centerpiece of Nuggets. It’s got great hooky chords to start and it’s got that weird middle break with that kind of echo sound from Tommy Hall’s electric jug.
"I don’t think it has ever been used before or since," he added. "And those screams. They may be the best white screams. They’re on a par with Screaming Jay Hawkins."
