Scenes from the Rendezvous

Here is a slide show of the many great rides seen at the annual Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif. Rockabilly music is by Three Bad Jacks. This year's Rendezvous, the 20th, will be Sept. 17-20.

Santa Monica Pier swing

The Santa Monica Pier, the symbolic western end of Route 66, will hold concerts July 23 to pay tribute to its former La Monica Ballroom and celebrate the pier's centennial, according to a news release. La Monica Ballroom hosted ballroom dances from 1924 to 1961, when it closed. Entertainers at the July 23 show will … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier swing

Tribute to a king

Emily read this Tulsa World article after Michael Jackson's death on Friday. The key passage: Hours after learning of Jackson's death, Paul Yeakey, a Tulsa artist, spray-painted a mural of Jackson on a wall outside a liquor store at 9347 E. 11th St. Eleventh Street in Tulsa is Route 66. She went to the Mad … Continue reading Tribute to a king

“East St. Louis Blues”

Here's an interesting slide show of the Route 66 town of East St. Louis, Ill. It captures the city's decay and glimpses of its long-ago glory fairly well. Music is by Eddie Fisher & The Next 100 Years, from an album recorded in St. Louis in 1971 and produced by St. Louis music legend Oliver … Continue reading “East St. Louis Blues”

Bluegrassin’ around

Here are the Red Desert Ramblers playing a bluegrass-influenced version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66." It's not often that you see a hammered dulcimer in a band.

Frankie Valli dines at the Ariston Cafe

Here's a delightful item in the A La Carte food and dining column of the Springfield (Ill.) Journal Register: When Frankie Valli performed Wednesday at Sangamon Auditorium, he mentioned that he had eaten dinner the previous evening at the ARISTON CAFE in Litchfield. The statement prompted a round of applause. The Four Seasons crooner said … Continue reading Frankie Valli dines at the Ariston Cafe