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Award-winning conductor Charles Hazlewood takes a trip down 'The Mother Road', 25 years after it ceased to be an official US highway.

Award-winning conductor Charles Hazlewood takes a trip down "The Mother Road", 25 years after it ceased to be an official US highway.

Established in 1926, it ran for over 2,400 miles across the southern part of America, crossing eight states from Illinois to California. Though now decommissioned, some of the original route still exists and it is firmly established in popular culture through song, literature, television, film, photography and art.

"The Mother Road" is referenced in John Steinbeck's 1939 novel, The Grapes Of Wrath, reflecting its significance as a migration route during the Depression. But in 1946, songwriter Bobby Troup was more celebratory, inviting us "get hip" to his "timely tip" and travel Route 66. Initially recorded by Nat King Cole, it has since become a pop standard, covered by numerous artists including Perry Como, Bob Dylan, The Manhattan Transfer, The Rolling Stones, The Cramps and Depeche Mode.

In the 1950s it became a major highway for holidaymakers. It was advertised as "The Main Street Of America", becoming synonymous with freedom and adventure, as local economies were boosted along the way. But in the 1960s, when Interstate 40 was built, Route 66 was bypassed and economic hardship followed. The highway was officially decertified from the US Highway system in 1985 but its legacy thrives in culture and in the efforts of preservation societies along the route.

Charles drives from Chicago to LA, on a personal musical odyssey, exploring the history and musical iconography, whilst meeting the people that still live, work, drive, and get their kicks... on Route 66.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 5 Jul 2010 22:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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Music Played

  • The Rolling Stones

    (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66

  • Foghat

    Sweet ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Chicago

  • Arthur β€œBig Boy” Crudup

    Boogie In The Morning

  • Elvis Presley - That's Alright Mama

  • Buddy Guy

    Country Man

  • Canned Heat

    Going Up The Country

  • Billy Lee Riley and His Little Green Men

    Flyin' Saucers & Rock N Roll

  • The Barbarellatones

    Baby Wants A Corndog

  • Boston Pops Orchestra

    The Starts & Stripes Forever

  • Sergey Prokofiev

    Peter & the Wolf

  • One eskimO

    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔtime

  • John Adams

    I Am Old and I Cannot Sleep

  • Jimmy LaFave

    Route 66 Revisited

  • ZZ Top - Arrested For Driving While Blind

  • The Band

    Whispering Pines

  • Alan Rhody

    The Mother Road

  • Just Brothers

    Sliced Tomatoes

  • Santa Fe High School

    Oklahoma (live)

  • Santa Fe High School

    Route 66 (Live)

Broadcast

  • Mon 5 Jul 2010 22:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2