A signed letter from Miles Davis to Dennis Hopper, detailing Davis' ideas for the soundtrack for Easy Rider (Columbia Pictures, 1969) and his desire to be involved in the film.

The letter is typewritten on two pages which display numerous creases from prior folding, with Davis' signature appearing on the second page. He begins the letter: "Dennis; / The music on the tape is self-explanatory. I think its [sic] right for your movie." He then summarizes how he thinks his music should be used in the film, concluding: "All the music is copyrighted. I never bothered with writing movie music because the white producers have proven that they want everything and Uncle Tom's fell out. / The music is a tribute to your talent and our long distance friendship. Lets [sic] keep it like that."

Though the tape Davis describes is now lost and ultimately Roger McGuinn of The Byrds provided much of the original music for the film's country rock soundtrack, this letter presents a tantalizing glimpse of an alternate version of the film.

Together with the original Air Mail envelope bearing Davis' and Hopper's addresses, as well as a memo on Festival Productions Inc. letterhead detailing hotels where Davis could be contacted and two sheets of The Shamrock Hilton notepad paper with a numbered list (handwritten by Hopper) that mentions Davis' "So What."

11 x 8.5 inches (largest)

PROVENANCE Property from the Life and Career of Dennis Hopper

Hollywood;