FitzGerald’s nightclub in Berwyn sells to local club veteran

The 40-year-old FitzGerald's nightclub, one of the most iconic music venues in the Chicago area, sold last week to a veteran Chicago restaurateur and club owner after it was on the market for 2 1/2 years. Will Duncan closed the deal Wednesday on the rock-and-roots club in the Route 66 town of Berwyn, Illinois, from … Continue reading FitzGerald’s nightclub in Berwyn sells to local club veteran

Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 announces its first inductees

The forthcoming Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet announced its inaugural class Friday night. They are Chicago, Cheap Trick, Ides of March, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Buckinghams and REO Speedwagon. Nominees that didn't make the cut were Styx, Earth Wind & Fire, Smashing Pumpkins, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, Rufus with Chaka Khan, Dan … Continue reading Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 announces its first inductees

Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 holding first induction March 29

The fledgling Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, will hold its first induction class on March 29 at the Renaissance Center Ballroom in Joliet. If you want to vote on who goes into the Hall of Fame this year, you'll have to become a charter member by enrolling here for … Continue reading Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 holding first induction March 29

Leon Russell’s Church Studio in Tulsa will reopen late this year

The Church Studio in Tulsa, once owned by late Oklahoma music legend Leon Russell, will reopen in late 2020 as a studio and museum, according to recent article in the Tulsa World. Teresa Knox, the owner of the facility, has been collecting Russell memorabilia and renovating the former church for months. The newspaper reported: Russell-related … Continue reading Leon Russell’s Church Studio in Tulsa will reopen late this year

Singing Road of Route 66 in Tijeras is fading; county mulls maintenance takeover

It's been known that without regular upkeep, the so-called Singing Road portion of Route 66 near Tijeras, New Mexico, would continue to fade in volume and eventually go silent. More than five years after the specially tuned rumble strips were created, the county is considering taking over maintenance of the Singing Road for the benefit … Continue reading Singing Road of Route 66 in Tijeras is fading; county mulls maintenance takeover

Future location for Bob Dylan Archive announced in downtown Tulsa

The Philbrook Museum of Art in downtown Tulsa will close later this month and move out its collection so the Bob Dylan Archive can move into the building and open there in 2021. The Philbrook will close its doors at 116 Reconciliation Way (map here) of Guthrie Green on Dec. 29. The Philbrook keeps its … Continue reading Future location for Bob Dylan Archive announced in downtown Tulsa

What happened to musician Jim Sullivan near Santa Rosa nearly 45 years ago?

It sounds like something from an enigmatic novel -- a praised but obscure singer-songwriter who sang about UFOs vanishes without a trace near the Route 66 town of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, leading to speculation he was picked up by one of those flying saucers he mentioned. Decades after his disappearance, a record company reissues … Continue reading What happened to musician Jim Sullivan near Santa Rosa nearly 45 years ago?

Construction begins on Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66

Construction has started on the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, and a Chicago-area radio station showed artist's renderings of what the museum will look like, inside and out. Earlier in the year, the museum's organizers bought a 1920s three-story building at 9 W. Cass St. in Joliet. The structure … Continue reading Construction begins on Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66

Kanye West film shot at Roden Crater art project near Flagstaff

I swear I'm not making any of this up. The IMAX film "Jesus Is King" from hip-hop superstar Kanye West, along with the artwork on his gospel album of the same title, was shot at Roden Crater, a volcano northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona, that's been sculpted into an ambitious art project over the last 40 … Continue reading Kanye West film shot at Roden Crater art project near Flagstaff

OKPOP museum breaks ground in Tulsa

Local and state officials participated Wednesday in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, or OKPOP, in downtown Tulsa. The museum, which anticipates an opening in late 2021, will be filled with memorabilia and information about musicians, film stars, authors and artists with Oklahoma ties. It will be across the street from … Continue reading OKPOP museum breaks ground in Tulsa