Roky Erickson - Heroin

[@chriswestley1396]

I asked Roky why he played this at solar fest 84 early afternoon, just a few fans, mostly families around, and he said; 'you know, cuz it's a folk song' lol

[@42tomasz]

+chris westley hey i just learned of this man's story and how good people helped him get a whole new groove on - true love i feel i was a part of this ~2005

[@FlyingTeacup]

+Matt B For me the most mind-blowing song Roky ever made will always be "Slip Inside This House" with 13th Floor Elevators. Those lyrics are just transcendant. But everything he does is amazing.

[@johnnyguitar7921]

lyrics were written by Tommy Hall

[@Happy63funny]

It’s also true......

[@telebob]

"Cause it's a folk song." is as great an answer as could have been uttered. Such a genius hid behind his 'crazy facade.'

[@queenofkool]

RIP Rocky! We lost a legend today

[@johna.5150]

You are right queenofkool. He was unique. I could add that I like your internet name queenofkool. You look and write like you must be a cool lady.

[@saintblith]

well...if he has Ghost, then we have everything.

[@lasmluclasm3781]

@@johna.5150 scoring in the old comment section ay bruvva gonna try to git her number boi ?

[@Itsyrm8]

​​@@lasmluclasm3781 best romantic moment : yielling in her ear some of the lyrics..

[@Ect1w]

The Benjamin Franklin of Rock n roll, fucking with the mail and shit lol😂😂

[@christopherc3951]

Looove Lou Reed, but Roky totally kicks it into a whole new place and time. Thanks for everything Roky.

[@unwind_your_mind]

Lou: I feel just like Jesus' son. Roky: I feel just like Jesus, son!

[@lanabanana68]

:D you noticed that too.

[@FISHMUSIC4U]

Roky has been visited by aliens, so he's been closer to Jesus. Make sense? haha

[@Gonzo3313]

lmfao...i caught that too...lol love it...son!

[@henriquevalverde7179]

It doesn't any difference. Jesus and Jesus' son are the same person.

[@johndavis1217]

fucking A. love that line

[@obfuscated3090]

Perfect Texas acid rock cover of Lou's classic. No one else would have thought to try, let alone kick ass. Roky is loved by other musicians for good reason(s).

[@mjjames2442]

Yo la tango copped this

[@southpakrules]

@@mjjames2442 -copped- failed. There. Fixed it.

[@charlenelinden8930]

I just love Roky. And I am from NYC. The pain in this song is palpable. This guy had a hard life. So did Lou Reed. Texas made some great music back then. Let's stop hating each other. Some of my best friends are Texans. Lou did one of his first out of state concerts at Austin. They made the great "69 Live" double album in Texas.

[@DSPsWifesBF]

Roky should be a household name at this point. True creative type

[@pinanti]

This is one of the best covers i've ever heard.It's howling.

[@iasbhz123]

i discovery Roky Erickson today, and i cant stop listening now. Thanks Ghost for make a cover of this guy.

[@buffiegrimm1241]

My husband and I discovered him the same way and have no idea how we haven't heard of him sooner because he is fukin' amazing quite like ghosts.

[@Itsyrm8]

Huge influence to ssooo many f great bands and solo artists n all. Raw af - best version

[@sgrroiii]

When Roky covers a song I don't even think about the original. I just blast off.

[@therealzilch]

Roky is a still largely unsung rock genius.

[@pena.3302]

No worries about that

[@th.burggraf7814]

This is the soundtrack of a rough decade of my life. A decade full of debauchery. Downside is, a lot of friends didn't make it through that decade.

[@ThePsychedelicSpirit]

This is a pretty powerful voice expression...

[@musicisbrilliant]

I love the anger in it. Frustration with the way things are. We all can understand that feeling. And hate it or love it, this is art.

[@Zopf-international]

Goodbye Roky Erickson. What an adventure, eh?! Quite the time you had here on earth. See you soon.

[@horus7854]

Oh you made me tear up with that

[@ErinKees]

a genius covering a genius. brilliant!!

[@lazyhomebody1356]

For some reason, Roky's horror story songs popped into my head tonight. I looked them up and now I've been playing his amazing classic perfect songs for hours. For the first time in ten years. How? Did? I? forget this dude ???

[@saintblith]

i love this Lou's song....and Roky covered it really great

[@dancrosby9991]

JESUS-FUCKING-CHRIST!!!!! That was AMAZING!!! What a kick-ass cover, would've made Lou proud!

[@christopherc3951]

Best version of this song EVER, and so appropriate for the year of 2020.

[@written12]

What a version! This is so amped out and relentless. All shouty and in your face. Not at all like the dark, languorous Velvet's original. But it really works.

[@kevindonohue9519]

Rocky, and the 13 floor elevators were ground zero for all to follow into the 1960s scene, Janis Joplin was gonna jump into the band, listen to their early sound, incredible

[@RustyShock]

Bless your heart, Roky. Bless your heart, forever.

[@Mrlevity70]

I'm just now hearing this. It's great.!

[@musicisbrilliant]

I actually REALLLLLLLY love it. Roky was a special guy.

[@elstongunn1385]

Wonder if Morrison ever met Roky?

[@odioesausto2023]

Ten years that I'm into Roky, and I have to say, this is just the first fuckin time that I hear this awesome VU's tribute made by him.. Well. This is. Wow. Thank you.

[@donatofreitas2500]

What a tune. Reed would be proud.

[@LED1512]

Holy fuck. THAT VOICE!

[@robertwright2852]

THIS is what you wanna hear at a rock festival: high energy balls-out bangin' and shoutin'

[@vincewhirlwind68]

Loved the Velvets and Roky forever but never heard this until today - it's fucking fantastic. Best VU cover ever by a country mile.

[@89Fredbear]

This version sends chills up the spine. Roky nails it! such and awesome version. I believe it also appeared on a 45 at some point?

[@Delta_bluesman37]

Wow this adds a whole other element to this song

[@landmers]

Damn. What a voice.

[@verodemode]

wow... this is pure gold

[@garylandrum9036]

The thirteenth floor elevators were an incredible band,in the 60 s they took Texas by storm,after all these years I still love their music and I have of their albums ROKY E YOUR STILL THE GREATEST LIVE ON BROTHER

[@dancooperfication]

THAT is some fukkin RIGHTEOUS GODDAM ROCKNROLL! what a great cover. I must have it.

[@TPAwavelink]

Wow! That was Awesome! Never expected him to do this! KILLER!

[@scunnerdScottishbird]

REST IN PEACE ROKY

[@MrPipecockJackson]

Insanely good cover.

[@davestone4468]

I AM HER HERO...SHE IS MY HEROIN!!!!

[@jackzim]

Lou Reed + Allman Brothers = Roky Erickson. I love it.

[@douglaspittman7074]

I knew Rocky before his stay at ASH.. I'm used to being the smartest guy in the room. I wasn't. Total genius! Incredible artist. I was blessed!

[@beskidtsengetoj]

To the people asking where this version is from: it's from the original Gremlins Have Pictures CD/LP. The 2005 CD has a shorter different recording of inferior sound quality... Why they didn't use this one on the re-release is beyond me! Also, the original CD/LP has an alternate take of "The Interpreter" with a cool longer ending. Someone asked who's playing lead: that would be Cam King of the Explosives (Roky's backing band here).

[@Kenbob709]

Wow. RIP

[@bradleyhajost7161]

RoCKin’ out to this ultra high ReVerB and crushing FEEDBack whine psychedelic journey.

[@RubenBelito90s]

Respect Sir Lord Roky Erickson

[@mowhit3034]

fuckin fantastic

[@CrazyBear65]

Lou Reed's song. Roky's version here sounds more like a heroin & crystal speedball, but I dig it.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

A chilling anti heroin song is 'Been on a Train' (1970) by the Bronx genius Laura Nyro. Nyro was inducted into Rock Hall of Fame in 2012.

[@marlasinger6989]

I always assumed The Confession was about fucking on heroin.... "Super summer sugar coppin' in the morning..." Laura was amazing.

[@truth3479]

Roky emulates the 60s trip scene .. it's in his base .. it's in his pace

[@lazyhomebody1356]

The reason I think it beats the original is, Lou is being a grandpa and telling you herion is bad, but Roky is kinda happy about it

[@dalakerdaniel9240]

@@lazyhomebody1356 Don't forget his everyday acid might have a little bit of influecne...have fun ☠️💣☠️

[@Soniabegonia77]

Rip Roky what a kick ass cover!🤘🏻💉

[@collinmc90]

just stumbled on this some how... this is fucking amazing!

[@orangepourage]

Stumblin's the best

[@PsYcHoNaUt1993]

Brings up fuzzy memories..

[@flagemdown66]

It's Roky's "Hard Rain" version of Heroin!!!!!

[@mrussell7225]

this is a 1000000000 times better than the original and I am a huge VU fan. Roky nails this dead ON!!! His voice sends rushes up my spine. LOVE IT!!

[@ryanmchale2411]

Song is just perfect.. I’ll play it nonstop, then forget for a few months, then every time I listen back it’s like a totally new song I hear new weird guitar stuff. Wtf is a rainbow nose ring

[@tonyturner3530]

Everytime I hear this song it gets better My bad past is hopefully gone but I still learn every day!

[@hanshan7645]

Thanks again, Roky

[@buickcityfilms]

Holy shit.. I wasnt expecting the best cover ever

[@reowol]

It's a great Artist and a fantastic man, if you see the life story from Roky! I like it!!!

[@teresac1613]

I hear you brother, God Bless ya, 23 years for me. Walk on the wild clean sober side! RIP Lou

[@martinhayward]

Thank's to the Foo Fighters for introducing me to the MAN. "ROCKY ERICKSON"

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

martin hayward I didn’t need those posers introducing me to anyone. I found 13th in the original white label copy of NUGGETS. Dig it.

[@senatorjimdracula1007]

Great version!!

[@TheGypsyblue]

Old, classic, and loved.

[@tonyturner3530]

Just superb Magical Music & what a voice!

[@dancooperfication]

i got this burned on a disc for me from an mp3. I'M SO FUKN HAPPY! Whoever decided this version shouldn't be included on the re-release of this album must have a problem with Roky Erickson's greatness because not including this version on the CD IS A SERIOUS disservice to Mr. Erickson.This cover is a SCREAMING testament to what MONSTER OF ROCK Roky is.

[@alexrebar]

I've been looking for a legitimately released version of this as well. Though I like the version on Gremlins Have Pictures, I like this version better.

[@rickjames5904]

you got that right. well put. there arent even words for how i experience roky. probably because they are coming from another world.

[@keithgordon4153]

Gosh...I heard this the first time when I was around 15? Wow....

[@davesdogs2]

Reminds me of Mott The Hoople's Angeline ! Great stuff !

[@mevans6914]

True father of rock and roll

[@DBChirot]

Thanks Richard--from another one of us

[@justinhennessey4259]

Roky's a Hero!

[@santyferreyra1073]

perfect!

[@Delalumiere666]

GREAT HOWLINGGG AUUUUUU

[@watermelonlalala]

Reminds me of I Can't Get No Satisfaction.

[@meagain4501]

He had a very jagger voice.... Or maybe jagger copied him!

[@bosseraven9180]

Just excellent!!! 👍🏻

[@darkside9701]

Heeeeerooooiiiin!!!

[@74santafe]

This got spirit. Thanks Roky!

[@flannigan7956]

Love ya Roky

[@edgaralvarado4625]

I 2 love Roky & the 13th elevator awesome cover VU heroin

[@teressaevans5138]

love....

[@garystein9536]

Yes and yaaaaas

[@gerryorangefan6150]

This is great!!

[@Laurensnl]

Damn what an awesome cover, this man was a genius. A shame they fucked him up by experimenting shock therapy on him.. The documentary "You're gonna miss me" tells his story.

[@janchiodo-wilhelm9055]

I love ya Roky stay right here , you're just fine bud! Jan Chiodo Wilhelm six nation's NY

[@eLiFILMSinc]

Thank god for the 8 seconds of Burn the Flame that played during Return of the Living Dead or I possibly might never have gotten here. ❤❤

[@gizmono2869]

@@eLiFILMSinc im with you 100 %.

[@avastyer]

Holy shit! What an amazing cover.

[@ilovemoviesable]

Good lord this is fucking killer.

[@JungleKitchenComedy]

I think this is my new favorite song

[@impalaman9707]

I wonder if the Elevators ever got to tour with/meet the Velvets back in the 1960s?

[@TheGypsyblue]

brilliant

[@РоманХаритонов-т3х]

...и Вы бриллиантом отсвечиваете,ПАША!

[@MarcoVenosta]

Go Roky Go!!!!

[@ianturnbow7011]

Yes... I FEEL LIKE JESUS, SON! Fuckin' Roky cover VU never ceases to amaze.

[@sonicvlasis]

BRAVISSIMO

[@Texetz]

Wow! Convincing cover.

[@mikebloomfirld66]

congratulations......high five my friend

[@elieattie]

this is awesome man

[@chrisallen766]

And I thank God that I'm not aware, and I thank God that I just don't care

[@SuspendedNinth]

I...have made...decisions!

This one is my favorite piece from Rocky HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROKY!!! TODAY EXACTLY 68 YEARS BEFORE when ROKY ERICKSON (born July 15, 1947) was born...

[@sisterdiggins]

Goddamned amazing!

[@poeterocknatsu06]

un régal !

[@tonyturner3530]

dUANE DID A LOT OF WORK WAYU BEFORE

[@lifesoboring1]

Holy Shit

[@peteringham9378]

Rocks!

[@jay94271]

Burn with us!!! Come on, it's our destiny lets burn together at least it'll be fun!!

[@blacklipstick24]

mnan this is the best