Dennis Hopper, R.I.P.

Actor Dennis Hopper died today at the age of 74.  He was a movie star and a movie director, but he is important to rock and roll for his role in the creation of Easy Rider, from 1969.  He took the music that he liked and put it into his movie, and created the movie soundtrack album that we know and love today.  Pretty cool.

An appreciation of Dennis Hopper, from the Los Angeles Times

MP3: “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf (from the Easy Rider soundtrack)

MP3: “Wasn’t Born To Follow” by the Byrds (from the Easy Rider soundtrack)

MP3: Easy Rider movie promo for radio

MP3: “In Dreams” by Roy Orbison (from Blue Velvet)