Calling all music lovers of the 50's and 60's: Have we a drive down memory lane for you.
Situated in northeast Arkansas lies Rock and Roll Highway 67. United States Route 67 itself spans the majority of the central part of the country, however a section from the White River to the Missouri border has been granted this special designation, passed by the state legislature in the late 2000's. The naming of the highway was quite a debate, as the area was famous for "rockabilly" music, a portmanteau of "rock and roll" and "hillbilly". With the latter term proving to be concerning, the politicians of the day settled on its present name. Although the highway itself is being converted to interstate standards today, business routes near the cities preserve the classic designation.
Highway 67 was the home to many nightclubs in the hey-day of the rock and roll era. Popular musicians would flock to northeast Arkansas to perform, such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Elvis Presley. The highway's venues were not limited to rock and roll, as country artists from the area were also drawn to the events, such as rock and roll turned country singer Conway Twitty. A story is shared in the area that the clubs were so influential that top Arkansas country artist Johnny Cash, one who would never allow himself to be exposed to the nightclub scene, was convinced by Elvis Presley to give a joint concert along highway 67.
The legacy of the many rockabilly musicians are preserved along Highway 67. The city of Newport Arkansas hosts the Rock 'N Roll Highway 67 Museum, containing memorabilia from all of the great performers who made this route famous. Head a little further northeast to the city of Walnut Ridge, where before catching the midnight train, take a stroll along the Guitar Walk at Cavenaugh Park, as they pay tribute to several famous nightclub acts. Just a block away from the park is a tribute to one more famous musical group that played the venues of Highway 67: The Beatles.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you to Arkansas, take some time along Rock and Roll Highway 67.
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