Search - You're Gonna Miss Me : A Film About Roky Erickson on DVD

The original Osbourne's

J. L. Schweitzer | Arlen, Texas USA | 07/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw "You're Gonna Miss Me" last night, along with a live performance by Roky Erickson and the Explosives. This movie documents Roky's mental health decline from illegal drug use as well as his stay at Rusk State Prison (after a regrettable and dubious insanity plea for possession of marijuana) to his youngest brother Sumner's battle to become Roky's guardian.



In the beginning, the movie details the rise of the 13th Floor Elevators as well as several musicians commenting on the influence of Roky and the Elevators on rock and roll. The remainder of the movie vividly shows Roky's mental condition as well as the chaotic living conditions Roky seems content to remain in. More correctly, it's not that he's content to live in these conditions, it's that his mother's complete control over him and her distrust of psychiatry prevents him from getting the treatment that would benefit him.



The Erickson family could be considered the original Osbourne's, one big dysfunctional family. Much of the movie focuses on the daily interactions between Roky and his mother in Austin. There are also brief interviews with three of Roky's four brothers. The fourth brother, Sumner lives in Pittsburgh next door to Roger Erickson, Roky's father. Sumner maintains that through extensive counseling, he has been able to break free from his mother's domination and hold over him. As a result, Sumner becomes determined to wrestle Roky from his mother's guardianship so that he can receive proper treatment and medication.



Although the movie does not outright condemn Evelyn Erickson for her mismanagement of Roky, it does show that Roky improves after living with Sumner for a year, receiving counseling and presumably medication. However, Sumner's somatic treatments do come off as a little goofy and "new age-ish." And yet when Sumner's therapist asks Roky to sing a song, he picks up a guitar and starts playing and singing like the past tumultuous 25 plus years were but yesterday. And fortunately for us, this is how Roky is when he plays live. It's as if the fog of schizophrenia, depression, and drug use is lifted when he picks up a guitar.



In a telling moment, Sumner somewhat tacitly acknowledges that maybe his mother did the best she could with Roky when he admits that that caring for Roky is a challenge.



Incidentally, if you go to Roky's web site, you can donate to a trust fund to help Sumner fulfill his dream for Roky "to know permanent abundance, dignity, and wellness, in his life."

"

Roky Rocks!!

Ji Young Hwang | 06/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""I, Roger (Roky) Erickson, do hereby declare that I am not a member of the human race (not an earthling) and am in fact an alien from a planet other than earth." His quote intrigued me to watch this movie. Even though I was a novice in psychedelic music and I didn't know who Roky was, the movie was fascinating enough to intrigue me; "how is he doing right now?"



There are a lot of biography movies about the dramatic, somewhat unfortunate life of extraordinary people. You might assume that You're Gonna Miss Me is just one of them. However, the difference between those and `You're Gonna Miss Me' is that this is an on-going story about a sublime musician.



The movie genuinely follows Roky Erickson's prosaic, isolated life. He is a quiet person, walking around his house like a zombie. But once the movie has shown his performance footages that were recorded when he was in the limelight back in 1970s, it definitely gives you nostalgia, but you can't help but wonder if you could ever see him performing like he used to be. And the real world doesn't let you down by making it as just nostalgia because you actually can see him at the concert. Yes, he still rocks.



Thanks to his brother, now he has overcome his inert attitude; he has been performing at many concerts. I was lucky enough to see him singing and playing guitar on the stage the other day; it was such an unforgettable experience especially after watching You're Gonna Miss Me. Can't wait to have its original soundtrack as well! You're Gonna Miss Me



"

Wonderful film, wonderful person. Go Roky !!!

Suburban Dog | San Antonio, TX | 07/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a wonderful film and is a must have for all Roky Erickson fans. I had the privilege of seeing the premier of this film on July 13, 2007 in Austin, Texas in celebration of Roky's 60th Birthday. It was an outstanding experience. To top things off, after the film, Roky gave an absolutely amazing live performance with his current band The Explosives. What a night. Roky and the Explosive rocked like no one I've seen do in a long, long time. The band was tight and under Roky's leadership, literally brought the house down. Outstanding!



The film provides a good deal of insight into Roky's life beginning with his childhood in Austin, Texas throughout his legal and psychiatric bouts and issues. What was amazing to me, was to see how, at a time in his life while under the guardianship of his mother, it seemed as though there remained no desire whatsoever (and perhaps ability as well) for Roky to continue to create and perform music, which he is so gifted at doing and so clearly loves to do. Seeing his band perform after the film, was proof that Roky Erickson is back, is alive and well, and is in tip-top form!!



You're Gonna Miss Me contains early film footage of the 13th Floor Elevators, including a wonderful clip of their appearance on Dick Clark's American Band. In addition to a great amount of really great nostalgic film footage from the initial days of the psychedelic era, the film is sprinkled with appearances from Erickson family members and friends, Austin law enforcement officers, and commentary from Roky's many admirers, including Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and the great Austin, Texas artist Jim Franklin.



Although I have been a rocker and music fan for many, many years, I have actually just discovered and turned-on to Roky's music. I am so glad I did. Purchase "You're Gonna Miss Me", you won't be disappointed. Then proceed to explore Roky's music, if you haven't already. Oh yeah, do try to catch him in concert if you have the opportunity. Again, Roky still rocks with the best and will absolutely blow your mind.

"

Great DVD But You Need To See Extra Features Postscript to A

HershonJones | Michigan | 07/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great DVD but too truly appreciate it you need to see the Extra Features Postscripts which show you exactly how Roky's story has "ended" happily for the moment. The funny thing is, too me Roky, other then looking disheveled, doesn't really sound all that nuts & came off alot more "Normal" then I thought he was, although you can totally recognize he was in a depressive state, for lack of a better word, compared to how he is today after his brother helped get him much healthier, mentally & physically. Without his mother's help beforehand, I doubt he could have survived, albeit she didn't steer him to proper psychiatric/medical help. I didn't realize his work after the Elevators was so good & as a result, I'm buying a collection of his "Solo" work too. I was under the wrong impression that he lost his musical ability after the Elevators because of his "problems", but it appears that is totally untrue as his stuff sounded great."