Happy Birthday to Bobby Troup, a multi-talented entertainer who made his mark in both TV and in Music. He was the Sargent in the hit movie MASH that drove Hawkeye and Trapper John around in Japan. He also played, more famously, the role of Dr. Joe Early on the popular Emergency! TV show with his wife, Julie London who played nurse Dixie McCall. He produced her greatest hit “Cry me a river” in 1957 and in total, she had 32 albums. Interestingly enough, Bobby and Julie both appeared in Adam-12 which was produced by Jack Webb, Julie’s former husband. Mr. Webb also created Emergency! And cast his ex-wife and her husband in lead roles. Bobby Troup also was part of an early game show called Musical Chairs, on the panel with Mel Blanc. He had dozen of his own albums, and wrote songs for some of the biggest names in Jazz and rock, but his biggest claim to fame was the song “(I Get my Kick on) Route 66”. The song was made into a huge hit by the Nat King Cole Trio. So today, we’ll look at the top ten covers of the song “Route 66”.

1. Nat King Cole Trio – As first to make this song a hit, they deserve top position in the list.
2. Chuck Berry – The transition from Jazz to Rock begins.
3. The Rolling Stones – A great song on one of the earliest recordings done by the Legendary Band.
4. Perry Como – The barber was the only artist to use all the lyrics.
5. Bob Dylan – A new sound for the song
6. The Manhattan Transfer – in stark contrast to Bob Dylan
7. Tom Petty – only available on a Video
8. Bing Crosby & The Andrew Sisters – A true superstar pairing having a little fun.
9. Brad Paisley – A song about places on the road certainly needs a country version
10. Brian Setzer Orchestra – A modern Big Band playing it once again.

It was hard to leave off Jerry Lee Lewis, Mel Torme, Van Morrison, Depeche Mode amoung others. All performing the work that many of us only knew as the good Dr.

Very few barbers are able to achieve any kind of recognition so when a famous hair stylist has a birthday, I look at is as an opportunity to find out what the 10 Best Known Barbers of all time might be.  While Mr. Battelle is famous for his work with Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O there are a few others whose names you might recognize.

1.  Deliliah  -  Not sure what she did for a living but she is rather well known for lopping off Samson’s locks.

2. Vidal Sassoon - best known for his hair products and his worldwide chain.  However, he pioneered the wash and wear perm, and was rather a throwback in his short, low maintenance styles.

3.  Sweeny Todd  -  ok, this one might be fictional, but he is rather well known and for many, vengeance can be rather enjoyable.

4.  Perry Como -  started as a barber but made a little bit more money as a singer.

5.  Jon Peters - did hair for Barbra Streisand and she helped him get started as a Producer in Hollywood

6.  Christophe – Might not of ever heard of him if Clinton hadn’t needed a haircut on the runway at LAX.

7.  Kenneth Battelle -  created Jackie O’s famous looks and worked with Marilyn Monroe as well.  Life can’t be any better than that.

8.  Walid Muhammad Farhan Juwar al-Zubaydi -  Primarily famous for getting captured.  Was responsible for changing the appearance of the Al Queda members.

9.  Karl Nessler - invented the Hair Curler and the Perm.

10.  Milton Pitts - White House Barber for Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Bush.  I suppose in honor of yesterday’s column, I should mention the British equivalent George  Trumper   whose barbershop has been serving the last 6 Monarchs.

 It was a close call today, today marked the anniversary of the US leaving the Gold Standard, I was thinking of the ten best known gold rushes.   Maybe next year.  Other Birthday today include David Ricardo (economist) and Ole Evinrude (outboard motors), both might have made for interesting lists.