It sounds like something from an enigmatic novel -- a praised but obscure singer-songwriter who sang about UFOs vanishes without a trace near the Route 66 town of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, leading to speculation he was picked up by one of those flying saucers he mentioned. Decades after his disappearance, a record company reissues … Continue reading What happened to musician Jim Sullivan near Santa Rosa nearly 45 years ago?
Category: Music
Construction begins on Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66
Construction has started on the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, and a Chicago-area radio station showed artist's renderings of what the museum will look like, inside and out. Earlier in the year, the museum's organizers bought a 1920s three-story building at 9 W. Cass St. in Joliet. The structure … Continue reading Construction begins on Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66
Kanye West film shot at Roden Crater art project near Flagstaff
I swear I'm not making any of this up. The IMAX film "Jesus Is King" from hip-hop superstar Kanye West, along with the artwork on his gospel album of the same title, was shot at Roden Crater, a volcano northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona, that's been sculpted into an ambitious art project over the last 40 … Continue reading Kanye West film shot at Roden Crater art project near Flagstaff
OKPOP museum breaks ground in Tulsa
Local and state officials participated Wednesday in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, or OKPOP, in downtown Tulsa. The museum, which anticipates an opening in late 2021, will be filled with memorabilia and information about musicians, film stars, authors and artists with Oklahoma ties. It will be across the street from … Continue reading OKPOP museum breaks ground in Tulsa
OKPOP museum will break ground soon in downtown Tulsa
The Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, aka OKPOP, will break ground this month across the street from the historic Cain’s Ballroom in downtown Tulsa, officials announced last week. The groundbreaking ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 23, and the governor and other officials will attend, reported the Tulsa World newspaper. Construction on the OKPOP … Continue reading OKPOP museum will break ground soon in downtown Tulsa
Old barn converted into vinyl record store found in Route 66 side trip
Here's a little side trip from Route 66 in southwest Missouri that's probably worth taking: a barn that's been converted into a shop for new and used vinyl records. The place is called Vintage Vinyl Purveyor, on the northeast side of Joplin. It's also close to the fellow Route 66 towns of Carterville and Carthage. … Continue reading Old barn converted into vinyl record store found in Route 66 side trip
Was “Sleepy Joe’s Cafe” by Bruce Springsteen based on a Route 66 restaurant?
In the last few weeks, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen has tried to track down the inspiration to the Bruce Springsteen song "Sleepy Joe's Cafe," off the new, fascinating "Western Stars" album. It's easy to see why the opening lines of the song intrigued Allen: There's a place out on the highway 'cross … Continue reading Was “Sleepy Joe’s Cafe” by Bruce Springsteen based on a Route 66 restaurant?
More screenings scheduled for “The Center of Nowhere” documentary
Dave Hoekstra has scheduled more screenings of his "The Center of Nowhere" documentary about the rich musical history of Springfield, Missouri, as he seeks to find digital distribution for his film. Hoekstra, a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist and longtime Route 66 enthusiast, has been working on the film for seven years. According to a feature … Continue reading More screenings scheduled for “The Center of Nowhere” documentary
New version of Red’s Giant Hamburg opens Monday
A new version of Red's Giant Hamburg opens Monday in Springfield, Missouri, decades after the original on Route 66 closed. The new Red's Giant Hamburg in south Springfield, Missouri. KY3-TV in Springfield posted a story over the weekend: The owner says he's been planning this restaurant for 25 years. Finding the right location and items … Continue reading New version of Red’s Giant Hamburg opens Monday
Arizona Route 66 association gives $10,000 to finish the restoration of Standin’ on a Corner wall
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona recently gave a $10,000 check to the Standin' on a Corner Foundation to finish a long-gestating restoration of the wall at that famed park in Winslow, Arizona. From left are Tommy Butler, a member of the Standin' on the Corner Foundation; Nikki Seegers, director of the Historic Route … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 association gives $10,000 to finish the restoration of Standin’ on a Corner wall