The century-old Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles was designated to the National Register of Historic Places effective Dec. 22, according to an email Tuesday from the National Park Service. The Hollywood Bowl, situated in the Hollywood Hills about 1 1/2 miles north of Santa Monica Boulevard (aka Route 66), long has been considered one of … Continue reading Hollywood Bowl designated to the National Register of Historic Places
Category: Music
From the holiday playlist: “Santa’s Got a Mean Machine”
So I recently did a little Google searching, trying to find any sort of song about Route 66 and Christmas together. I utterly struck out with that quest. So you budding songwriters, here's your chance to fill a niche. In the meantime, I did find this gem by Tulsa-based rockabilly artist JD McPherson, who a … Continue reading From the holiday playlist: “Santa’s Got a Mean Machine”
Closed Stratford Inn hotel in Fenton to be torn down by March
The closed Stratford Inn hotel along the Route 66 corridor of the west St. Louis suburb of Fenton, Missouri, will be demolished by mid-March. The St. Louis Business Journal, citing a newsletter from Fenton's mayor, reported the motel, event space and bar along Interstate 44 will be torn down within a few months. The complex … Continue reading Closed Stratford Inn hotel in Fenton to be torn down by March
A chance meeting with Roger Miller’s brother in Erick
Otis Gibbs, who regularly posts interviews with music artists on his YouTube channel, recently was traveling on Route 66 and by happenstance bumped into Roger Miller's brother in front of the Roger Miller mural in his adopted hometown of Erick, Oklahoma. You'll find the quirky sense of humor Roger had was passed along to his … Continue reading A chance meeting with Roger Miller’s brother in Erick
Czech metal band performs “Route 66” in Joplin City Hall
A Czech metal band called Doga recently performed its song "Route 66" on a staircase of city hall in Joplin, Missouri. According to the Joplin Globe: There have been more than 1.2 million views of the band Doga and its song "Route 66," released last year on YouTube. The band performed the song on acoustic … Continue reading Czech metal band performs “Route 66” in Joplin City Hall
Music video by Spain rock group takes place in various spots on Route 66
A few days ago, Ruben Castelo Moure of Spain emailed me, letting me know he had created a music video for his power pop band, Maryland, that takes place in varying spots along Route 66. "Last year I went on a honeymoon trip to the US to travel along Route 66 for a month and … Continue reading Music video by Spain rock group takes place in various spots on Route 66
Springfield’s Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque marking its 100th anniversary this month
The fabled Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, is holding a 100th birthday celebration party on Oct. 21. According to an excellent article in the Springfield News-Leader (including cool photos of the shrine's construction), the shrine's recorder says it's the only building along Route 66 in Springfield being used for … Continue reading Springfield’s Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque marking its 100th anniversary this month
Illinois Route 66 concert tour organized by Frankie Valli’s longtime music director
Robby Robinson, a keyboardist and music director for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons since 1978 and a native of the Route 66 town of Litchfield, Illinois, has organized the "Get Your Kicks Tour '23 -- A Musical Trip Down Route 66" in October. The tour includes guitarist Vinny Martell of Vanilla Fudge, Travis Cloer … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 concert tour organized by Frankie Valli’s longtime music director
Road movie featuring Japanese Chindon-ya group will be shooting on Route 66 this month
A road film featuring Bentenya, a group of Chindon-ya performers from Japan, will be shooting on Route 66 starting Sept. 13. During their journey, the girls will meet people, introduce Japanese culture and perform Japanese and American music "as a new way of nurturing 150 years of Chin-don culture while on historic Route 66 in … Continue reading Road movie featuring Japanese Chindon-ya group will be shooting on Route 66 this month
Roadside marker in Bethany commemorates musician Tommy Collins
The Oklahoma City/County Historical Society and the City of Bethany, Oklahoma, recently placed a roadside marker on Route 66 to commemorate the late songwriter and singer Tommy Collins. Collins probably is best known for writing "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin'), which was a big hit both for Faron Young and George Strait. Here's … Continue reading Roadside marker in Bethany commemorates musician Tommy Collins