Before the Fabulous Thunderbirds formed in Texas in the 1970s, there was another Fabulous Thunderbirds rock band out of New Mexico during the mid-1960s. According to one well-researched online source, the Thunderbirds' version of Bobby Troup's song was released in 1965 on Red Feather Records in Albuquerque: https://youtu.be/KE4ti9-nLm0 More from Popsike.com: Legend has it that … Continue reading The original Fabulous Thunderbirds
Where is Tulsa’s Route 66 museum?
A letter to the editor featured Sunday in the Tulsa World encapsulates the frustrations many Tulsans feel about the Route 66 part of the Vision 2025 sales-tax program. You can read the letter by Scott Swearingen here. A few key parts: On almost any day, I see visitors to Tulsa stopping to admire the Cyrus … Continue reading Where is Tulsa’s Route 66 museum?
Perry Como’s version of “Route 66”
Here's a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" you may not have heard. Perry Como gave it a whirl in 1959, with additional lyrics. Perry Como - Route 66 from Jeroen Boersma on Vimeo.
Kickstarter campaign launched to restore Roy’s sign
A Kickstarter campaign aims to raise $16,000 to restore the historic Roy's sign at the Route 66 town of Amboy, Calif. The restoration is part of the newly christened Amboy Foundation of Art's eventual goal to turn the motel at the Roy's complex into an artist's colony. According to the Kickstarter page: Restoration of this neon … Continue reading Kickstarter campaign launched to restore Roy’s sign
The story of the Palms Grill Cafe
GrahamSpencer, a communications firm with an office in Rockford, Ill., uploaded this video it produced about the Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Ill. Route66 from GrahamSpencer on Vimeo. The film was made for the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
Flagstaff takes new approach in preventing wildfires
In an effort to prevent wildfires, the Route 66 town of Flagstaff, Ariz., has taken a novel approach -- paying for prevention measures itself. According the Atlantic Monthly: Funded by a $10 million bond that voters approved by a three-to-one margin in November, the program puts local tax dollars to work clearing trees and brush, … Continue reading Flagstaff takes new approach in preventing wildfires
Photographer discusses his techniques for his Route 66 images
Photographer Rick Sammon talks about photo techniques, using his trip on Route 66 as a springboard, during a recent Google+ Hangout session. You'll see cool images from the Mother Road during this 38-minute presentation. https://youtu.be/pSNJvKkV5uY Some of Sammon's Route 66 gallery can be seen here.
Former co-owner of Riviera Roadhouse dies
Margaret "Peggy" Kraft, longtime co-owner of the now-gone Riviera Roadhouse along Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., died Wednesday at age 89. According to her obituary, Kraft died in Miller Healthcare Center in Kankakee, Ill. Born in Valparaiso, Ind., she married Bob Kraft in 1971. Together, they owned the Riviera for 37 years until they retired … Continue reading Former co-owner of Riviera Roadhouse dies
El Garces restoration may begin in earnest
After many months of delays, it appears the restoration of the historic El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., will begin soon. According to a story Monday in the Needles Desert Star, the City Council approved a $188,000 bid from a glass contractor to install windows as a part of the restoration's second phase. The newspaper … Continue reading El Garces restoration may begin in earnest
Motorcycle tour may lead to surge of Uruguayan tourists
A report from the Rolla Daily News about a group of 39 motorcycle riders from Uruguay stopping in Rolla, Mo., during a two-week tour of Route 66 contained a somewhat of a same-old-same-old whiff about it. But when you examine the story closely, this tour is a bit different. First, the tour is coordinated by … Continue reading Motorcycle tour may lead to surge of Uruguayan tourists