Absolutely nobody today would ever remember Bobby Troup as anything but a character actor, best know for his portrayal of the doctor on "Emergency." However, Bobby Troup was a singer, pianist and composer during his lifetime with quite a few songs to his repertory. "Route 66" proved to be a big hit in 1944 for not only Bobby Troup but it also signified the beginning of the singing career of Nat King Cole. Up to then, Cole had sung rarely, focusing his attention on playing piano with the speed and ease of another great pianist Art Tatum. However, Cole's singing is what finally caught on and after 1950, he seldom if ever touched the piano again on records.