'Easy Rider' screens with live band at Mystic Theatre in Petaluma

The Mystic Theatre in Petaluma combines a classic film with the immediacy of a live band tonight, when Sonic Cinema screens the 1969 hit “Easy Rider” with a seven-piece ensemble playing the soundtrack.

The film’s original soundtrack, best-known for “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf, also featured Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and The Band. Rolling Stone magazine called it “one of the top 25 movie soundtracks of all time.”

The independent, low-budget film stars Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda as two rebels on a cross-country motorcycle odyssey. The film also features a legendary cameo performance by the young Jack Nicholson.

Matthew Fassberg of Sonic Cinema created the current project to combine the film with live musical accompaniment by Fairfax musicians.

The “Easy Rider” live band includes music director Robert Powell on guitar, pedal steel and vocals; Tracy Blackman on vocals and guitar; Jesse Ray on vocals and harmonica; Jimmy Dillon on lead guitar and vocals; Tim Baker on bass; Chris Houston on keyboards and accordion; and Eddie Berman on drums.

The program starts at 8:30 p.m. at the Mystic, 23 Petaluma Blvd. N. Admission: $25. Box office: 707-765-2121. Information: mystictheatre.com.

You can reach staff writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @danarts.