The 13th Floor Elevators: Psychedelic Rock from Austin

The 13th Floor Elevators were an American rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in late 1965 and considered pioneers of the psychedelic rock sound.

The 13th Floor Elevators: Psychedelic Rock from Austin

The 13th Floor Elevators were an American psychedelic rock band formed in Austin, Texas, in late 1965. The group was led by Roky Erickson, and its best known members were Tommy Hall and Stacy Sutherland. The 13th Floor Elevators released four albums and seven singles for International Artists (IA) between 1966 and 1969. They are credited with being “the first psychedelic rock band” and the inventors of the “psychedelic sound.”

The band’s sound was characterized by Erickson’s distinctive howling vocals, Hall’s use of the electric jug, Sutherland’s frenetic guitar playing, and Ronnie Leatherman’s throbbing bass. The band also used extensive feedback, echo, and distortion to create their unique sound. Their songs incorporated elements of early rock and roll, garage rock, blues, R&B, and country music.

The 13th Floor Elevators were one of the most popular bands in Austin in the late 1960s. They frequently played at the city’s clubs, including the Vulcan Gas Company and Mother Earth. However, their popularity did not extend beyond Texas; outside of Austin, their music was largely unknown.

The band’s debut album, The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966), is considered a classic of the genre. It includes the song “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” which became a minor hit for the band when it was covered by Lulu in 1967. The album also features “Fire Engine,” which was included on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The 13th Floor Elevators’ second album, Easter Everywhere (1967), is considered by many to be their best work. It includes such classic tracks as “Slip Inside This House” and “She Lives (In a Time of Her Own).” The album was not as successful as its predecessor, however, and it failed to generate any chart activity.

The 13th Floor Elevators’ third album, Bull of the Woods (1968), was an attempt to cash in on the popularity of country-rock artists such as Gram Parsons and The Byrds. The album was not well received by critics or fans, and it failed to sell well.

Following the release of Bull of the Woods, tensions began to emerge within the band due to drug use, creative differences, and financial problems. These tensions came to a head in 1969 when Tommy Hall was fired from the band due to his increasingly erratic behavior. The remaining members attempted to carry on without him but found it impossible to do so; they disbanded later that year.

Although they were only active for four years and released only four albums, The 13th Floor Elevators have exerted a profound influence on subsequent generations of musicians. They are credited with being one of the first psychedelic rock bands and with inventing the psychedelic sound. Their music has been cited as an influence by such artists as Roky Erickson himself

The 13th Floor Elevators: Origins

The 13th Floor Elevators were an American psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in late 1965 and active until early 1968. The band was led by Roky Erickson and also featured Stacy Sutherland, Benny Thurman, and John Ike Walton. The band was the first to popularize the electric jug as a musical instrument. They were one of the pioneer bands of their era and influenced many later groups such as punk rock and Alternative Rock acts.

The 13th Floor Elevators released four studio albums before their dissolution: The Psychedelic Sound of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966), Easter Everywhere (1967), Bull of the Woods (1968), and Live (1971). The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

The 13th Floor Elevators: Music and Influence

The 13th Floor Elevators were an American rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in 1965. The group was considered to be one of the first psychedelic rock bands. They were also known for their innovative sound and their use of LSD. The band’s sound was a mix of garage rock, blues rock, and psychede
The 13th Floor Elevators were an American rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in 1965. The group was considered to be one of the first psychedelic rock bands. They were also known for their innovative sound and their use of LSD. The band’s sound was a mix of garage rock, blues rock, and psychede

The 13th Floor Elevators: Legacy

The 13th Floor Elevators were an American psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in 1965. The band was among the first to popularize the use of psychedelic drugs and helped define the musical style known as psychedelic rock.

The band released four studio albums before disbanding in 1969. They reunited briefly in 1972 and again in 2015.

The 13th Floor Elevators have been cited as a major influence by many subsequent musical acts, including Roky Erickson, Patti Smith, Neil Young, Arthur Brown, David Bowie, Joy Division, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Ween. In 2002, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.