"Unknown Legend" isn't one of Neil Young's biggest hits, but it a favorite among motorcycle riders. And why not? It's got diners, Harley Davidsons and a certain highway sign in the background.
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.
Joplin tourism director wants better signage
Carol Stark, editor of the Joplin (Mo.) Globe, talked to Vincent Lindstrom, the new director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Most chamber and tourism folks usually take an "everything is beautiful" tone with the local media. But Lindstrom seems willing to address the area's weaknesses (with the bold type as my emphasis). With … Continue reading Joplin tourism director wants better signage
Racing and reclining
The Mohave Daily News has a wrapup story about the 17th annual Great Oatman Bed Race in Oatman, Ariz., on Saturday. Oatman, a little Route 66 town nestled in the Black Mountains, periodically holds these goofy but lovable contests, including a sidewalk egg-frying event on the Fourth of July. The Mohave Family Health Care team … Continue reading Racing and reclining
Boom to bust to boom again
Heather Clark of the Associated Press takes a look at the Route 66 town of Grants, N.M., which is undergoing a boom of economic activity again because of a rise in uranium prices. With uranium prices approaching $100 a pound, it's anticipated that Uranium Resources Inc. will create the nation's largest uranium mill and draw … Continue reading Boom to bust to boom again
A “Route 66” detour
Here's Joe DiVeglia playing "Route 66" on an old upright piano, in quite a bit of a New Orleans style.
Mother Road Transfer
In this old clip from "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, here's the Manhattan Transfer performing "Route 66."
Living in Tulsa Time
This was during Eric Clapton's Tulsa period, in which all his road musicians were from Tulsa. This song was written by a Tulsan, too, by the name of J.J. Cale.
“Running on Empty”
Here's another road song from Jackson Browne, and it's probably his best-known. He's got a little help, circa 1982.
A good picker
Ron, aka merkywave, of Albuquerque lists himself as a locksmith. Not only can he pick locks, but he can pick guitar, as this country blues version of "Route 66" shows.
San Bern’s Fifth Street Bridge coming down
The old Fifth Street Bridge that carried Route 66 over Interstate 215 in San Bernardino, Calif., is going to be demolished soon, making way for a new Fifth Street bridge. It's part of a long-planned I-215 widening project. However, people will have the opportunity to take pieces of it home as a Route 66 souvenir, … Continue reading San Bern’s Fifth Street Bridge coming down