THETΛ

This is the astonishing story of Roger “Roky” Erickson, a man known only to few. In terms of innovation in the field of music easily on the same level as Jimi Hendrix or Jim Morrison, Erickson survived all the madness, drugs and personal problems of the 60s and 70s, however at a high price. Recording two essential albums with the 13th Floor Elevators in the early phase of psychedelic rock, some even claim the man invented the genre,  he got diagnosed schizophrenia early in his career. After getting sentenced due to possession of a ridiculous amount of Marijuana he gets handed into “Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane” for quite some time. Despite the heavy electroshock treatment he manages to give his career another push in the 70s. His past, the broken family, his state of health, ex-wifes, etc.. catch up at some point, so at the beginning of the 80s he lives withdraw in poverty and in custody of his, in my opinion not 100% sane, mother.

The story catches up roughly 20 years later when his brother Sumner decides to help the run-down man to bring his life back. Interestingly all of the other 3 brothers next to Roky and Sumner seem also a little weird. Sumner has somehow overcome this, lets call it displaced view on reality, by the help of a therapist, to which he takes Roky after wining a lawsuit against his mother. This therapist must have made a fortune out of the two brothers, nevertheless also with her assistance Roky Erickson became better and began performing again in 2006.