the editing of "easy rider" continued for many months, as hopper and fonda argued over the final form. hopper ditched a planned score by crosby, stills, nash & young and returned to the group of songs he had used for the rough cut, which included music by the byrds, jimi hendrix, and steppenwolf. "easy rider" caused a sensation when it was screened in cannes and it went on to become the fourth highest-grossing american film of 1969, taking $19 million, and receiving two academy award nominations. although it brought hopper and fonda great financial and artistic rewards and helped to open up the hollywood 'system' for young independent producers, little of the profit was shared with southern, and the true extent of his contributions was repeatedly downplayed by the other principals.