The Waterboys have announced details surrounding their mammoth sixteenth studio album ‘Life, Death And Dennis Hopper’ (out April 4th on Sun Records). Their most audacious album yet, ‘Life, Death And Dennis Hopper’ tells the story of the trailblazing American actor across 25 songs and features a host of guest stars including Bruce Springsteen, Fiona Apple and Steve Earle.

“The arc of his life was the story of our times,” says band leader Mike Scott, “He was at the big bang of youth culture in Rebel Without A Cause with James Dean; and the beginnings of Pop Art with the young Andy Warhol. He was part of the counter-culture, hippie, civil rights and psychedelic scenes of the ’60s. In the ’70s and ’80s he went on a wild 10-year rip, almost died, came back, got straight and became a five-movies-a-year character actor without losing the sparkle in his eye or the sense of danger or unpredictability that always gathered around him.” 

‘Life, Death And Dennis Hopper’ will be previewed by ‘Hopper’s On Top (Genius)’ this Friday – pre-save here

Produced with Waterboys bandmates Famous James and Brother Paul, the album spans 25 tracks and traces the extraordinary arc of Hopper’s life, from his youth in Kansas to his long rise, five wives, tumultuous fall, and ultimate redemption. Every track has its own special place and fascinating, deep-rooted story.

“It begins in his childhood, ends the morning after his death, and I get to say a whole lot along the way, not just about Dennis, but about the whole strange adventure of being a human soul on planet earth,” says Scott.