This is a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" by an apparently long-gone band called Freak UK. The video was broadcast by the BBC in 1991. I suspect this was influenced by Depeche Mode's version from 1987. https://youtu.be/fLgS9_GTumg Freak UK's frontman was Mik Scarlet, who found later fame as a TV and radio broadcaster, journalist, and actor. … Continue reading One from the BBC vault
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
High rider
A woman from Los Angeles wants to ride her double-high bicycle (like the one seen above) down Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica later in the summer, with the help of a national magazine. Melissa Rougeaux yesterday applied for a $10,000 Adventure Grant from Outside magazine. The magazine explained: In celebration of our 35th … Continue reading High rider
Media get a sneak preview of Cars Land
A small group of journalists toured Cars Land at Disney California Adventure before it officially opens on June 15. The Orange County Register was one of them. Cars Land is patterned after the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, as depicted in the Disney-Pixar animated films "Cars" and "Cars 2." According to the newspaper: … Continue reading Media get a sneak preview of Cars Land
“We’re Going West”
Here's a new video from the good folks at The Road Crew, a country-rock band that's served as boosters of Route 66 for the past few years: https://youtu.be/ocnYDLw934A The song comes from "Songs from the Mother Road" album, which you can download from Amazon here. It's also on iTunes.
Learning about Route 66 on a zip line
Here's a novel new way for tourists to learn about the Mother Road -- Pirate Cove Resort & Marina in Needles, Calif., soon will use zip lines to educate groups about the Colorado River and Route 66. According to news release: The adventures continue with a guided "Pirates Quest" zip line tour that will run … Continue reading Learning about Route 66 on a zip line
Romeoville seeking grant to beautify its portion of Route 66
The village of Romeoville, Ill., is applying for a state grant to spruce up its section of Illinois Highway 53, aka Route 66, according to the Joliet Herald-News. The newspaper reported: Renovations will include landscaping upgrades to islands along the roadway along with new signage that will include a Route 66 theme. Landscaping within the … Continue reading Romeoville seeking grant to beautify its portion of Route 66
Tulsa Art Deco Museum opens today
The Tulsa Art Deco Museum, dedicated to that city's abundant style of architecture, opens today in the lobby of the downtown Philcade Building at 511 S. Boston Ave., reported the Tulsa World. More about Tulsa Art Deco, from a 2008 film by Jack Frank: https://youtu.be/rkMQdEW6v5A Local artist William Franklin, president and founder of the museum, … Continue reading Tulsa Art Deco Museum opens today
Company wants to sell water from Mojave Desert public lands
A company operating just off Route 66 in the Mojave Desert wants to extract and sell groundwater at or near public lands to cities in Southern California, reported the Los Angeles Times. https://youtu.be/IeBmDBTAFnU Cadiz Inc., which got its name from a small town near Route 66, initially drilled water wells to irrigate grapevines and citrus … Continue reading Company wants to sell water from Mojave Desert public lands
County seeks grant for Route 66 Bike Trail extension
McLean County, Ill., will apply for a grant that will extend the Historic Route 66 Bike Trail about 2 1/2 miles north from Towanda, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The extension would begin at County Highway 29 north of Towanda and connects an old alignment of Route 66. The state of Illinois would cover 80 percent … Continue reading County seeks grant for Route 66 Bike Trail extension
Bridge work will affect Route 66 travel near Gray Summit this summer
Work that started tonight on a bridge over Interstate 44 near Gray Summit, Mo., will affect Route 66 travel in that area through August, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. MoDOT is replacing the Highway 100 bridge that goes over Interstate 44 between Gray Summit and the west edge of Villa Ridge. A Google … Continue reading Bridge work will affect Route 66 travel near Gray Summit this summer