Search Results for: Bobby Troup

Asleep At the Wheel releases new version of “Route 66” for 50th-anniversary album

Western swing band Asleep At the Wheel last week released an album that marks its 50th anniversary, “Half of a Hundred Years,” that includes a new version of “Route 66.” The new cut of “Route 66” includes guest vocalists Leroy Preston and Johnny Nicholas to accompany the band’s longtime lead singer, Ray Benson. Preston was … Continue reading Asleep At the Wheel releases new version of “Route 66” for 50th-anniversary album

Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66

The Joliet-based Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 recently announced its third class of inductees, and one of them made a key impact on Route 66 itself. That would be Nat King Cole, who was born in Alabama but spent his formative years in Chicago. He popularized “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” … Continue reading Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66

New exhibit at Joplin examines Route 66’s impact on culture

A new exhibit at an arts center in Joplin, Missouri, examines the cross-cultural impact of Route 66 from a native of that town. “Route 66: Crossing Cultural Lines,” curated by artist and former American Jazz Museum curator Sara Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin, will be in the main gallery of the Spiva Center for the Arts in … Continue reading New exhibit at Joplin examines Route 66’s impact on culture

Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90

Hal Blaine, a member of the Los Angeles-based Wrecking Crew of studio musicians who played drums on thousands of songs during the 1960s and ’70s, died Monday. He was 90. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member played on albums by Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, the … Continue reading Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90

Cynthia Troup’s role in “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66”

The story behind the now-iconic song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” is Bobby Troup and his wife, Cynthia Troup, were traveling west on that highway to California in 1946 when she came up with the line “Get your kicks on Route 66.” Bobby Troup finished the rest of the song, pitched it to Nat … Continue reading Cynthia Troup’s role in “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66”

Chuck Berry, R.I.P.

Word came over Saturday afternoon that Chuck Berry, the Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll, died at his home near Wentzville, Missouri, west of St. Louis, at age 90. Local authorities didn’t give a cause of death, but Chuck’s son said his father had ailed from pneumonia in recent weeks. Berry was best-known writing and performing … Continue reading Chuck Berry, R.I.P.

What is the best version of the “Route 66” song?

Hundreds of versions exist of Bobby Troup’s song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” better known simply as “Route 66,” that he wrote during a cross-country trip on that highway after World War II. Route 66 News has posted dozens of versions of the “Route 66” song. It’s time to take stock and see which version … Continue reading What is the best version of the “Route 66” song?

Patti Page collection will be at Oklahoma museums

A collection of late singer Patti Page’s memorabilia will be on display through the rest of the year at the Oklahoma History Center and will later travel to several other Oklahoma sites, including the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, the “Patti Page: Once Upon a Dream” exhibit from the … Continue reading Patti Page collection will be at Oklahoma museums

Patti Page, famed singer and Route 66 native, dies at 85

https://youtu.be/_Ek3eCbfqp0 Patti Page, an Oklahoma-born singer whose greatest claim to fame was her massively popular “Tennessee Waltz” song from 1950, died Tuesday in California at age 85, reported the Tulsa World and many other media outlets. I’ll let other obituaries detail Page’s amazing music career, which included more than 100 million records sold. But it … Continue reading Patti Page, famed singer and Route 66 native, dies at 85

Excerpts from “Route 66: The Road West”

This video clips contains excerpts from “Route 66: The Road West,” a three-part television documentary that aired on NHK in Japan and a one-hour version on the A&E Channel here in the States. A lot of good stuff here, including Club Cafe in Santa Rosa when it was still open, Russell Soulsby when he was … Continue reading Excerpts from “Route 66: The Road West”