John Eichhorn plays the drums for Route 66!

John started his musical career at a very early age, playing his first musical job at a wedding for $5.00. This is where his love for music began.

During his second year of high school, John found others that shared his passion for music, as well as life long friends. In his senior year, John signed with an established band. The entire band joined local musicians union 10-208 and found themselves with an agent who also represented bands such as TW 4 (who later became Styx).

In 1972 Uncle Sam called John to duty during the end of the Vietnam War. In 1974 he was discharged and found himself with old friends who were in need of a drummer for their band. John joined Freewheelin' and had a successful time with a good lead vocalist at the helm; Ken Cetera, who has two big brothers, Peter (Chicago) and Tim (Stone Canyon Band). John's band picked up and moved to Champaign, Illinois which had turned into a musical Mecca since REO Speedwagon hit it big. Freewheelin' split up in 1976.

In 1979 John joined a popular, working wedding / party band. Making money to afford new drums was nice but John was getting tired of the wedding scene.

In the next few years John bounced from disappointing auditions and spent time playing weekend shows for country rock players in Phoenix, Arizona. With no luck John moved back and found himself a wife. After that John gave up the drums for nearly 10 years until he auditioned in 2000 for Radio Hits which played the music that John grew up with, late 50's and early 60's music. As Radio Hits dismantled, John and two other members form Rte 66.