Straight from the garage

Here's a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" that I've never heard, by Los Jockers in 1967. https://youtu.be/ID3FE6QargE Evidence indicates that Los Jockers were based in Chile. I found another band from Mexico by the same name, but it broke up in 1962.

Roadie will be on nationally syndicated radio show next week

Frank Gifford, proprietor of rt66pix.com and a Route 66 enthusiast, will appear on the nationally syndicated "The Jim Bohannon Show" and its companion "America in the Morning" radio shows starting the night of April 5. "The Jim Bohannon Show" is heard on more than 500 radio stations, mostly in the talk format. "America in the … Continue reading Roadie will be on nationally syndicated radio show next week

Ground broken on Luna Lodge project

A groundbreaking ceremony was held last week for a project that will convert the historic Luna Lodge motel in Albuquerque into a 30-unit affordable housing development, according to a news release from Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, one of the lenders on the project. More from the release: The developer of the project, NewLife … Continue reading Ground broken on Luna Lodge project

Fundraising campaign launched for 66 Motel sign

Ed Klein of Route 66 World wants to restore the historic neon sign at the 66 Motel in Needles, Calif., to its former glory. So he's launched a Indiegogo fundraising drive at the Indiegogo site. Klein explained: The 66 Motel sign in Needles CA is one of THE most iconic signs along the famed highway. … Continue reading Fundraising campaign launched for 66 Motel sign

Pontiac tourism number continue to surge

The Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., saw record numbers of tourists during 2011. Those numbers in 2012 so far are continuing that strong trend, to eye-popping levels. According to the Pontiac Daily Leader: According to a person at the Pontiac Tourism office, numbers of tourists for January and February increased by 400 percent as … Continue reading Pontiac tourism number continue to surge

News release comes out on Route 66 Economic Impact report

On Wednesday, a news release about the Route 66 Economic Impact Report was distributed by partners American Express Foundation, the World Monuments Fund, Rutgers University, and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Forbes, the Los Angeles Times, and Business Insider are among the news outlets that have picked up the release and published stories. A … Continue reading News release comes out on Route 66 Economic Impact report

A classic Route 66 trip

Ken Ehresman of Pontiac, Ill., and 14 members of his family are planning a Route 66 journey from Los Angeles to Pontiac. But according to the Pontiac Daily Leader, they won't be piled into a couple of minivans. Instead, they'll be driving down the Mother Road in three classic cars -- a 1976 El Camino, … Continue reading A classic Route 66 trip

Some 2013 Rand McNally atlases also will contain Route 66 error

Not only did some of Rand McNally's 2012 road atlases contain an error about Route 66, but at least some of its upcoming 2013 atlases will have that mistake, also. Frank Gifford of rt66pix.com found the apparent mistake in the 2012 atlases a few weeks ago. They incorrectly implied that Route 66 followed U.S. 60 northeast from Afton, Okla., … Continue reading Some 2013 Rand McNally atlases also will contain Route 66 error

Faces of Route 66 in Illinois

Pounds Media recently videotaped interviews with several Route 66 veterans for Central Illinois Tourism and the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. Today, several of those clips were posted on the Internet. First is Ernie Edwards, longtime owner of the Pig Hip Restaurant in Broadwell, Ill.: https://vimeo.com/39277870 Nick Adam, longtime owner of the Ariston Cafe in … Continue reading Faces of Route 66 in Illinois

Famed movie studio buildings in West Hollywood to be razed

The bulldozers soon will arrive for a series of buildings in West Hollywood, Calif., that once were used by the Warner Bros. and other movie studios, reported the Los Angeles Times. The buildings sit at the corner of Route 66. The Times' arresting lead paragraphs: Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks worked there. So did Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Clark Gable, Marlon Brando and … Continue reading Famed movie studio buildings in West Hollywood to be razed