Roky Erickson, a Texas musical legend and psychedelic-rock pioneer best known as the frontman of 13th Floor Elevators, died in his hometown of Austin on Friday, as Austin360 reported. Erickson, whose cause of death has not been disclosed, was 71 years old.

One of Roky’s brothers, Mikel Erickson, confirmed his death in a public Facebook post, writing, “My brother Roky passed away peaceably today. Please allow us time. Music and laughter forever.”

Roky was the lead singer of the band 13th Floor Elevators, he helped found the band and released their first LP, titled The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators

Billy F. Gibbons of the band ZZ Top said he finds it “unfathomable to contemplate a world” without the Texas musician.

 Roky performed with the reunited 13th Floor Elevators at Levitation (formerly Austin Psych Fest, the event was renamed “Levitation” after the song of the same title). The band consisted of original band members Erickson, Tommy Hall, John Ike Walton, and Ronnie Leatherman, joined by Roky’s son Jegar Erickson, and guitarist Fred Mitchim

Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty

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