For more of a punk-rock feel of Bobby Troup's famous road song, here are The Virgins of Japan performing "Route 66." https://youtu.be/h9rn9oSCXa4 Sounds like they gobbled a fistful of trucker speed before going into the studio.
Category: Music
El Rey Theater in Albuquerque closes
The historic El Rey Theater in downtown Albuquerque closed a few days ago because the operator was encountering cash-flow problems with another venture, according to KOB-TV. Here's the station's report: The report makes it clear that El Rey, located on Central Avenue (aka Route 66), could reopen quickly if another operators signs a lease there. … Continue reading El Rey Theater in Albuquerque closes
“Route 66,” mariachi style
Trio Ellas is all-female Latin-American mariachi group based in Los Angeles. Here they are in Fresno, Calif., performing Bobby Troup's best-known song. https://youtu.be/xgg5KZcDBhw I checked out the rest of the band's music on its website. Most of the songs are in Spanish, naturally. But the collection also contains an excellent version of Roy Orbison's "Crying." If … Continue reading “Route 66,” mariachi style
Hello from Belgium
Here's an oldie but goodie from Belgium native Burt Blanca and his King Creoles. I'm guessing this version of Bobby Troup's most famous song was recorded in the early 1960s. https://youtu.be/JBx5OU5poPs Blanca is nearly 70 years old, and according to his website he's still playing gigs.
How to play “Route 66” on ukulele
Bueno Chen gives in-depth instructions on how to play Bobby Troup's "Route 66" on ukulele, so you can try it at home. https://youtu.be/7p7B3gtNfTs https://youtu.be/9dO3Nj_Grzc Chen provides a lot of online courses in the instrument and is an instructor at the University of Hawaii.
Pete Seeger, R.I.P.
Folk singer and social activist Pete Seeger died Monday night in New York City hospital at age 94, according to various media outlets. We'll let the Los Angeles Times and other newspapers report about Seeger's impact on music and America in general, his triumphs and his controversies. One should remember that in addition to writing the … Continue reading Pete Seeger, R.I.P.
A new song about El Trovatore
Arizona musician Will Strickland sings about the revitalization of the historic El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz. Local filmmaker Norman Fisk provided the footage for the video: https://youtu.be/1XFbHFdb12U (Nighttime image of El Trovatore Motel by Graeme Maclean via Flickr)
Fundraiser launched for The Road Crew at Kingman festival
A roadie has launched a FundRazr campaign on Facebook to get The Road Crew music group at this summer's International Route 66 Festival in Kingman, Ariz. Rick Zimmer wants to raise $10,000 by April 15 to defray the group's travel expenses for two performances during the festival on Aug. 15-16. Zimmer explained the campaign: Due to … Continue reading Fundraiser launched for The Road Crew at Kingman festival
Take a cruise with Hank Crawford
Jazz artist Hank Crawford, with a small group of six other musicians, delivers his take on Bobby Troup's "Route 66" in 1965. https://youtu.be/QTGJ1K9eeok Crawford, who died in 2009, perhaps was best-known for being the musical director for Ray Charles as well as his recording career. He also provided musical arrangements for Lou Rawls and Etta … Continue reading Take a cruise with Hank Crawford
“Route 66” with guitar and harmonica
For all of its hundreds of versions out there, it continually amazes me how folks can keep freshening up a nearly 70-year-old "Route 66." This time, Mike Shaw does it with an acoustic guitar and adept harmonica playing with Bobby Troup's immortal road-trip tune. The video was shot by Mike Gaboark. https://youtu.be/ArJsP4Dj6SQ And check out … Continue reading “Route 66” with guitar and harmonica