The story behind the now-iconic song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" is Bobby Troup and his wife, Cynthia Troup, were traveling west on that highway to California in 1946 when she came up with the line "Get your kicks on Route 66." Bobby Troup finished the rest of the song, pitched it to Nat … Continue reading Cynthia Troup’s role in “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66”
Tag: Route 66 song
Tom Petty, R.I.P.
Word came down late Monday that rock 'n' roll legend Tom Petty died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Southern California home. He was 66. I'll let others wax poetic about his marvelous career, including one of my favorite music writers at the Chicago Tribune. But it's almost a given Tom Petty and his … Continue reading Tom Petty, R.I.P.
George Strait concert booked in Tulsa with a Route 66 twist
The BOK Center in Tulsa announced Monday that country-music superstar George Strait would perform a concert there June 2, 2018. But it's not just any concert. Strait retired from touring a few years ago and plays only a handful of dates annually. He's booked only two shows in 2018, so this will be a hot … Continue reading George Strait concert booked in Tulsa with a Route 66 twist
Hello from Australia
Here's a good performance of Bobby Troup's "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" by singer Linda Taylor and standup bassist Elsen Price. Both are based in Australia. This is recorded live in the studio, with no lip-syncing. With such a spare arrangement, you'd better be good. https://vimeo.com/220573124 Michal Imielski created the video. (Screen-capture image of … Continue reading Hello from Australia
Red-hot electric blues version of “Route 66”
We're doing a little traveling -- guess where? -- so posting might be a little light for a couple of days. In the meantime, I dug up a video from the archives that's a favorite in electric-blues circles, for good reason. It's guitarslinger Popa Chubby and New York City Blues blazing their way through Bobby Troup's … Continue reading Red-hot electric blues version of “Route 66”
A new version of “Route 66”
This video of new material being previewed by musician Inda Eaton surfaced a few days ago. This song is titled "Route 66," but it bears little resemblance to the 1946 classic tune written by Bobby Troup and popularized by Nat King Cole. The key line -- "the road, it changes you" -- probably will hold … Continue reading A new version of “Route 66”
Chuck Berry, R.I.P.
Word came over Saturday afternoon that Chuck Berry, the Father of Rock 'n' Roll, died at his home near Wentzville, Missouri, west of St. Louis, at age 90. Local authorities didn't give a cause of death, but Chuck's son said his father had ailed from pneumonia in recent weeks. Berry was best-known writing and performing … Continue reading Chuck Berry, R.I.P.
R.I.P., Al Jarreau
Word came over Sunday afternoon that Grammy-winning singer Al Jarreau, whose vocal talents in jazz, R&B and pop were as treasured in the music industry as his excellent record sales, died in Los Angeles. Jarreau was 76. He was hospitalized and abruptly retired two weeks ago because of apparent health problems. Because of his jazz chops, I figured … Continue reading R.I.P., Al Jarreau
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 now would be the cities in the “Route 66” song?
Andrea Sachs, a Washington Post reporter who's driven Route 66 and written about it several times, recently posited an interesting mental exercise. If Bobby Troup were writing "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" in 2017, what cities would he include instead? Troup wrote the song in 1946 during a trip on U.S. 66 traveling to … Continue reading What now would be the cities in the “Route 66” song?