One of my all-time favorite songs is "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66," a song written by Bob Troup back in 1946.
Troup, a jazz pianist and actor (remember Emergency! in the 1970s?), chronicles a trip from Chicago to Los Angeles when Route 66 was America's great highway. He lists towns and cities along the way.
The tune was first made famous by the late, great Nat King Cole, who recorded it in 1946. His version was smooth and jazzy.
The Rolling Stones
The Manhattan Transfer
Asleep at the Wheel
Glenn Frey
Depeche Mode
Brian Setzer
And even in the animated movie "Cars," sung by John Mayer.
Among others who recorded the song include Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters, Perry Como, George Benson, Them, Michael Martin Murphey, and Dr. Feelgood.
If you were around in the 1960s, there was the TV series, "Route 66," starring Martin Milner and George Maharis as two guys traveling the famous highway in a Corvette convertible. That show had an influence on my love of travel, and a few years, I visited a Route 66 site in Arizona.
The theme song to the show was composed by Nelson Riddle. I discovered it was used because CBS didn't want to pay royalties to Troup. But Riddle's instrumental captures the feel of the road.
Troup, a jazz pianist and actor (remember Emergency! in the 1970s?), chronicles a trip from Chicago to Los Angeles when Route 66 was America's great highway. He lists towns and cities along the way.
The tune was first made famous by the late, great Nat King Cole, who recorded it in 1946. His version was smooth and jazzy.
Through the years the song has been covered by a variety of artists, in a variety of styles. Here's a sampling:
Chuck Berry
The Manhattan Transfer
Asleep at the Wheel
Glenn Frey
Depeche Mode
Brian Setzer
And even in the animated movie "Cars," sung by John Mayer.
Among others who recorded the song include Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters, Perry Como, George Benson, Them, Michael Martin Murphey, and Dr. Feelgood.
If you were around in the 1960s, there was the TV series, "Route 66," starring Martin Milner and George Maharis as two guys traveling the famous highway in a Corvette convertible. That show had an influence on my love of travel, and a few years, I visited a Route 66 site in Arizona.
The theme song to the show was composed by Nelson Riddle. I discovered it was used because CBS didn't want to pay royalties to Troup. But Riddle's instrumental captures the feel of the road.
Click here if you want to know about the historic highway, also known as the Mother Road, Will Rogers Highway, and the Main Street of America.
It's time to hit the road.
Until the next time . . .
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