Before ‘Emergency!,’ Bobby Troup Created the Iconic ‘Route 66’ Anthem

EMERGENCY!, Bobby Troup, 1972-1978 — Martin Mills/TVG/Everett Collection

What To Know

Bobby Troup, known for his role as Dr. Joe Early on “Emergency!,” wrote the iconic song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.”
Before his television fame, Troup had a successful music career, penning hit songs.

If you watch Emergency! on MeTV, you probably know Bobby Troup as Dr. Joe Early, one of the hospital’s most steady and patient doctors at Rampart General Hospital. The classic NBC series still airs weekdays, and Troup remains one of those familiar faces. But did you know that before he became part of one of television’s most memorable medical dramas, he had already written one of the most famous road trip songs ever recorded? Troup wrote “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” the classic tune first recorded by the King Cole Trio in 1946. Over the years, it was later recorded by artists including Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, and Depeche Mode.

Before Troup appeared in Emergency!, he was a singer, pianist, songwriter, and actor, but songwriting brought him early success. Before “Route 66,” he wrote “Daddy,” which became a major hit for Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra in 1941. “Route 66” came after Troup traveled west to California. The song follows the famous highway from Chicago to Los Angeles, and name-checks stops along the way, including St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Flagstaff, Winona, Kingman, Barstow, and San Bernardino.

The King Cole Trio recorded the song on March 16, 1946, and it was released by Capitol Records that April. Nat King Cole‘s smooth version helped introduce the song to listeners, but it also became known in other genres. Chuck Berry brought a rock-and-roll feel to it in 1961; The Rolling Stones recorded it in 1964; and Depeche Mode released their own version in 1987.

Troup’s music career did not end with “Route 66.” He also wrote “The Girl Can’t Help It,” which Little Richard performed for the 1956 film of the same name. He wrote “The Meaning of the Blues” as well, a song recorded by Julie London and later heard in instrumental form on Miles Davis‘ 1957 album Miles Ahead. London became an important part of Troup’s life and career. The two married in 1959, years before they worked together on Emergency!.

Emergency! premiered on NBC in 1972 and followed Los Angeles County firefighter-paramedics John Gage and Roy DeSoto, played by Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe. The series also focused on the doctors and nurses at the fictional Rampart General Hospital, including Robert Fuller as Dr. Kelly Brackett, London as Dixie McCall, and Troup as Dr. Early. While Gage and DeSoto handled rescues in the field, Early was often seen at Rampart, giving treatment and handling emergencies once patients arrived. Troup ultimately died on February 7, 1999, at age 80.

Route 66 is now heading into its centennial. The highway was officially established on November 11, 1926, which means 2026 marks 100 years of the Mother Road. The Route 66 Centennial is being celebrated with events, preservation projects, storytelling programs, and special commemorations across the eight Route 66 states.