Several 30th-anniversary editions of Natalie Cole’s megahit "Unforgettable … With Love" album are coming early next year. That record remains best-known for its smash duet single, "Unforgettable," with her deceased father, Nat King Cole. "Unforgettable .... with Love" also contains Natalie's own version of "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66," a Bobby Troup-written song made … Continue reading 30th-anniversary editions of Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable … with Love” coming in 2022
Category: People
Route 66 enthusiasts give old Boots Court motel owners a sendoff before it closes for winter
A group of Route 66 enthusiasts gave the old owners of the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, a sendoff right before the motel closed for the winter and the new owners take over renovations and reopen it in the spring. According to a report in the Joplin Globe, about two dozen people from the … Continue reading Route 66 enthusiasts give old Boots Court motel owners a sendoff before it closes for winter
New “History of Route 66” is available online
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently announced "a new, more accurate" history of Route 66 has been published by Oxford University Press’ Research Encyclopedia on American History. The work was a collaboration between members of Route 66 Road Ahead’s Research and Education working group, Dr. David Dunaway and Dr. Stephen Mandrogoc of the University … Continue reading New “History of Route 66” is available online
Tom Willis, owner of 66 Diner in Albuquerque, dies at 71
Tom Willis, owner of the landmark 66 Diner in Albuquerque and charter member of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, died Wednesday. He was 71. Sue Montgomery, vice president of the association, stated by email that "from my understanding" Willis died of COVID-19 and "had some underlying conditions that didn't help." Willis would be the … Continue reading Tom Willis, owner of 66 Diner in Albuquerque, dies at 71
Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago
Seventy-five years ago this month, Army Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle visited the little Route 66 town in central Missouri that was named after him just two years before. Thousands attended the event. Today, a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter went to Doolittle (population 648) but found few people who knew about the origin of the town's … Continue reading Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago
Woman-focused chapter of Antique Motorcycle Club of America plans Route 66 cruise in June
A new, women-focused Riveter Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America has scheduled a two-week cruise on the length of Route 66 in June 2022, called Chix on 66. Karan Andrea, president of the Riveter Chapter, has been a member of the AMCA. "I got the idea to ride Route 66 on one of … Continue reading Woman-focused chapter of Antique Motorcycle Club of America plans Route 66 cruise in June
Smithsonian Magazine publishes a profile on a noted sake brewer in Holbrook
We commend to your attention a feature in Smithsonian Magazine about Atsuo Sakurai, who's been brewing award-winning sake -- a rice wine -- in the unlikely town of Holbrook, Arizona, along Route 66. We've posted stories about Sakurai and his Arizona Sake Co. before, but this one goes more in-depth. A few tidbits: For the … Continue reading Smithsonian Magazine publishes a profile on a noted sake brewer in Holbrook
Edward Keating, Pulitzer-winning and photographer of Route 66, dies
Edward Keating, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize in photography who spent years documenting Route 66, died Sunday. He was 65. His wife, Carrie, broke the news about Keating's passing Monday on Facebook. She did not disclose his cause of death. His brother-in-law said Keating's wife and two daughters were by his side when he … Continue reading Edward Keating, Pulitzer-winning and photographer of Route 66, dies
Susan Croce Kelly to be inducted into Missouri Writers Hall of Fame
Susan Croce Kelly, an author of two notable books about Route 66, will be inducted Sept. 30 into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame during a special online edition of the organization’s annual Quill Gala. The award will be presented during a virtual ceremony that will feature a live roundtable discussion with Kelly. Kelly is … Continue reading Susan Croce Kelly to be inducted into Missouri Writers Hall of Fame
Uranus Missouri lights up its new, Route 66-themed neon wall
The principals of Uranus Missouri near St. Robert, Missouri, presided over a lighting ceremony Saturday night at the complex's new, Route 66-themed neon wall. Here's a photo of the animated neon on a 20-by-55-foot wall that features a rocket ship, Cadillac Ranch, Blue Swallow Motel, Wigwam Motel, Roy's of Amboy, Blue Whale of Catoosa, Ted … Continue reading Uranus Missouri lights up its new, Route 66-themed neon wall