Peter Fonda, 'Easy Rider' Architect and Counter-Cultural Icon, Dies at 79

[Miles Archer]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/peter-fonda-dead-easy-rider-architect-counter-cultural-icon-was-79-1232714



Peter Fonda, who broke out from under the legendary Fonda family name with Easy Rider, has died. He was 79.

Fonda, the son of acting legend Henry Fonda, the younger brother of Jane Fonda and the father of Bridget Fonda, died Friday morning.

Fonda received an Academy Award nomination as a screenwriter for Easy Rider, which he shared with Dennis Hopper and Terry Southern.

Fonda and Hopper dreamed up the idea of two motorcyclists who hit it big with a drug deal and take off across the country, ostensibly to attend Mardi Gras. Their trek was "in search of America," emblematic of the '60s zeitgeist of rebellion and drug experimentation. Featuring Jack Nicholson as their alcoholic, back rider/lawyer, the film was a low-budget, colossal hit.

[kentuck]

1. Easy Rider and Woodstock...

connected to a generation.

[Miles Archer]

3. That was my immediate reaction

Two separate entities, but absolutely linked in terms of 60s culture...Woodstock, Altamont, Easy Rider.

[hlthe2b]

2. ahh, damn. We are losing so many icons of their time

[Celerity]

4. Easy Rider was more than 26 years before I was born, and this song around 12 before

and from Italy, but I think they link as one.

RIP M8

[Brother Buzz]

17. 'If You Want To Be a Bird' is the song playing in my mind when I see George's cool helmet

[Bradshaw3]

5. Going to see Easy Rider was an act of rebellion for me

At age 15. It had a huge impact on me personally as it was another step on the road to joining the counter culture. I lived for a time in the area near Flagstaff where they filmed several early scenes of the movie.

Peter Fonda wasn't as politically active as his sister, but he spoke his mind on issues. A lfine actor too. A loss for sure.

[pangaia]

6. I saw EASY RIDER when it came out..in Memphis.. 68- 69?

Shortly after that I went to a drive in with a motorcycle triple feature all made before Easy Rider.. One staring Peter Fonda, one staring Dennis Hopper and one staring Jack Nicholson

[kentuck]

7. The Weight

[uponit7771]

8. Lung cancer is a bastard !!!!!

[Roland99]

9. Damn

[Historic NY]

10. I like this version

[link:

|]

[eleny]

11. Went to see the movie back then with my boyfriend and the theatre was jam packed

Back then the movie houses were often very big and some people had to stand in the back to see a movie.

[BlueMississippi]

12. Rest in peace

One of my favorite actors

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

13. Another goes by the wayside

[panader0]

14. A great actor--'Ulee's Gold' was excellent. One of my favorite songs:

[raccoon]

16. I always love that song too! Nt

[NightWatcher]

15. I'm going to smoke a ton of weed and ride a motorcycle on Mario Kart in his honor.

[Beringia]

18. A gentle soul

[sinkingfeeling]

19. Still too young. R.I.P.

[BigmanPigman]

20. What timing Peter...well done!

50th Anniv of Woodstock...perfect send off. I will "raise a glass of freedom" in your honor as requested.

[Botany]

21. Aww! I have a sad.

&list=RD5R4XnKBQ67w&start_radio=1&t=13

[Dr Vegas]

22. "We Want To Be FREE...,"

[FailureToCommunicate]

23. Easy Rider, of course, but I'll always be fond of Fonda for recognizing Bruce Langhorne's

unsung genius in Peter Fonda's directorial debut, The Hired Hand,

in the recording studio, inspiring, or playing studio music for nearly every early folk recording of the day, from Bob Dylan and Richard Farina, to Joan Baez, Odetta, Richie Havens...

https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2017/02/24/515165663/the-hired-hands-recognizes-bruce-langhorne-one-of-modern-guitars-hidden-heroes

Also this heartfelt bedside talk with the ailing Langhorne...

[NoPasaran]

24. Well, that's certainly a bummer