Here's a remarkable new (but unofficial) video of Depeche Mode's version of "Route 66." It was shot and edited by Jakub Górajek for SensiMedia in Poland. The footage was taken in July in Chicago; St. Louis; Elk City, Okla.; Shamrock, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; Tucumcari, N.M.; Grants, N.M.; Gallup, N.M.; Holbrook, Ariz.; Winslow, Ariz.; Flagstaff, Ariz.; … Continue reading A new take on Depeche Mode’s “Route 66”
Category: Road trips
Book review: “Route 66 Still Kicks”
You have to admire the nerve or foolishness of two pals who are so determined to travel old alignments of Route 66 that they get stuck not once, but twice, during their journey. That's what happens in Rick Antonson's "Route 66 Still Kicks" (Skyhorse Publishing, paperback, 336 pages, illustrated, e-book available). Although this book is … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Still Kicks”
El Trovatore Motel’s owner offering Route 66 tours
Sam Frisher, owner of the recently refurbished El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz., soon will offer day trips on Route 66 on a bus he purchased, according to Kingman-based writer and roadie Jim Hinckley. Hinckley wrote in an email: The centerpiece is twofold, as it will be a full Route 66 immersion that includes a … Continue reading El Trovatore Motel’s owner offering Route 66 tours
Illinois town adds quick-charging station for electric cars
A quick-charging station has been installed at the Uptown Station Parking Deck in downtown Normal, Ill., for the benefit of electric-vehicle drivers, including Route 66 tourists, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The Level 3 DC Quick Charge station enables drivers to charge their EV batteries to 80 percent in a mere 30 minutes. “Being able to charge mid-day … Continue reading Illinois town adds quick-charging station for electric cars
“Stars in California”
This beautifully shot video, directed by M. Andrew Barrera, for "Stars in California" by Texas singer-songwriter Drew Kennedy was shot on several locales on Route 66, as you'll soon see. Drew Kennedy - "Stars in California" (Official Music Video) from M. Andrew Barrera on Vimeo. The song's pretty good, too.
“Hotel California” takes some inspiration from the Mother Road
https://youtu.be/NUbTW928sMU It seems obvious when you think about it, but one of The Eagles' biggest hit singles, "Hotel California," took part of its inspiration from the band members' westward journeys on Route 66. That's according to one of the band's previous members, Don Felder, who was interviewed by Music Radar about the 1977 million-seller. Felder … Continue reading “Hotel California” takes some inspiration from the Mother Road
The inevitable Chinese invasion
I noted a little more than a year ago that China, with its 1.2 billion residents, would likely become a big force in Route 66 tourism in the coming years. Today, a report in the Kingman Daily Miner in Kingman, Ariz., strengthened my hunch. Nearly 40 Chinese citizens, under the auspices of that country's branches … Continue reading The inevitable Chinese invasion
A closer look at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook
A road-tripping family spent the night at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz. The patriarch used his video camera to capture a lot of details about the historic Route 66 motel. https://youtu.be/iZXRtPrHGL8?t=37s
Motel 6’s Mother Road correspondent
You may remember that Dan Bakst won a Route 66 trip and a bunch of goodies from the Motel 6 chain in a contest. He was required to post his adventures from the road via video and social media. Roadies weren't thrilled that the trip would exclude historic Route 66 motels. But his posts on … Continue reading Motel 6’s Mother Road correspondent
A trip into the past
This is a special music video. Not only does it contain audio of live-in-concert performance of "Route 66" by Asleep At the Wheel during the 1970s, but it's interspersed with footage of Route 66 from a 1980s news report and vintage photos of the band. You'll even spot the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, a … Continue reading A trip into the past