The Joliet-based Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 recently announced its third class of inductees, and one of them made a key impact on Route 66 itself. That would be Nat King Cole, who was born in Alabama but spent his formative years in Chicago. He popularized "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" … Continue reading Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
Tag: Nat King Cole
30th-anniversary editions of Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable … with Love” coming in 2022
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
Artificial intelligence program brings deceased Route 66 figures seemingly to life
A few weeks ago, the MyHeritage genealogy website released an artificial intelligence program called Deep Nostalgia. It takes still photographs of people, analyzes them and animates their faces in a lifelike way by making them seemingly blink their eyes, move their heads and make subtle movements with their lips. The effect often proves amazing, unsettling … Continue reading Artificial intelligence program brings deceased Route 66 figures seemingly to life
New developments complicate preservation of Adohr Milk Farms sign
The preservation of a once-covered Adohr Milk Farms neon sign along Route 66 in Pasadena, California, became complicated in recent months because of a city's inexplicable decision and the tangled history of the family behind the long-defunct milk business. For those who missed the previous reporting, Howlin' Ray's hot chicken restaurant was doing a face-lift … Continue reading New developments complicate preservation of Adohr Milk Farms sign
An alternate version of “Route 66” by Bing Crosby
Here's a version of "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" that I haven't heard before now. It's Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra and Chorus during "Philco Radio Time" on Oct. 30, 1946. https://youtu.be/dMiHd_y1uf8 Crosby earlier that year recorded a version of Bobby Troup's song with the Andrew Sisters, which reached No. … Continue reading An alternate version of “Route 66” by Bing Crosby
Readers vote Nat King Cole as recording the best version of “Route 66”
A little more than a year ago, I posted a story and online readers poll about the many versions of "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" over the decades. I promised a follow-up on the top vote-getter within a week or so. Then, I promptly forgot about it ... for more than a year. The … Continue reading Readers vote Nat King Cole as recording the best version of “Route 66”
What is the best version of the “Route 66” song?
Hundreds of versions exist of Bobby Troup's song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66," better known simply as "Route 66," that he wrote during a cross-country trip on that highway after World War II. Route 66 News has posted dozens of versions of the "Route 66" song. It's time to take stock and see which version … Continue reading What is the best version of the “Route 66” song?
Natalie Cole, R.I.P.
Natalie Cole, a daughter of music legend Nat King Cole who became a music star in her own right, died Thursday of heart failure. She was 65. Cole earned several platinum albums and nine Grammy awards during her career, but she probably will be best known for her smash-hit "Unforgettable" album, where studio wizardry allowed her to … Continue reading Natalie Cole, R.I.P.
Old-school “Route 66”
If you want to know what it sounded like when the Nat King Cole Trio's version of "Route 66" came out on 78 rpm record in 1946, you have your chance -- cracks, pops and all. Route 66 from Ricky Doo Wop on Vimeo. This was the record that jump-started Bobby Troup's career and spawned … Continue reading Old-school “Route 66”
Romeoville art fair will include Bob Waldmire tribute
The inaugural Route 66 Kiwanis Art Fair in Romeoville, Illinois, on Aug. 22 will include a tribute to late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. The fair will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Edward Hospital Athletic and Event Center at 55 Phelps Ave. in Romeoville (map here), less than a … Continue reading Romeoville art fair will include Bob Waldmire tribute