Manning Clark

During the post-production of Dennis Hopper’s surreal and unjustly-forgotten South American anti-imperialist western, The Last Movie (which would prove disastrous for his career upon release, yet go on to become a cult classic and one of Hopper’s own proudest achievements), the actor and director was the subject of a sort of loose, biographical documentary, filmed around his Taos, New Mexico home as he wandered the desert, got wasted, and philosophized about life (see tag line: “I’d rather die fighting than die getting fat”). American Dreamer would share in the fate of The Last Movie and quickly disappear into obscurity, but among the film’s remains lays a beautiful acoustic soundtrack, featuring original compositions courtesy of Hopper’s personal acquaintances, such as John Buck Wilkin and Chris Sikelianos, as well as better-known performers such as Gene Clark and gonzo-mime-band The Hello People.

Peter Gabriel, Chris Martin, Youssou N'Dour, Cat Stevens, Paul Shaffer, Linda Rondstadt, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Glenn Frey, Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen, E Street Band, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Courtney Love, Wendy O'Connor, Joan Jett…