From the moment Jake and Elwood Blues swaggered onto the Saturday Night Live stage on April 22, 1978, it was evident that pop culture history was being written in real time. The Blues Brothers strolled in to the toe-tapping backbeat of an exceptionally talented live band, steadily picking up steam as the brass kicked in and the beat surged forward. Jake chewed bubblegum and kept time while Elwood dug into his trusty briefcase to produce a harmonica. Then, as the band built to a crescendo, Jake broke into a cartwheel, his signature black fedora never once leaving his head. What followed was a rollicking, rasping, intensely felt cover of Sam & Dave's "Soul Man," Jake's lead vocals igniting the stage and enrapturing the audience while Elwood moved smoothly behind him, his feet frenetic, body smooth to the beat.
Like the many legendary musical guests who'd graced that very stage before, The Blues Brothers had talent, presence, pure energy and rhythm, and star power in spades. There was, however, one major differentiating factor: Jake and Elwood Blues were not real people.
The Windy City siblings were entirely fictitious, creations of comedians John Belushi (Jake) and Dan Aykroyd (Elwood), who had connected over a shared love of music. And though neither were classically trained, the pair—bonded not by blood, but by friendship and fate—began to perform music together, assembling a band full of next-level talent and bringing the glory of the blues to as many folks as would listen. Legendary composer (then SNL's band director) Howard Shore dubbed them The Blues Brothers, and the rest was history.
But make no mistake, though the Second City alums were gifted comedians, their musical revue was no joke. Together, Belushi, Aykroyd, and the band would open for artists including Willie Nelson and Steve Martin, go platinum with 1978's debut record Briefcase Full of Blues, and transcend to the realm of cultural icons with director John Landis's The Blues Brothers movie in 1980. A cult classic with a cast rounded out by veritable music legends and one hell of a soundtrack, the film struck a fine balance of madcap humor and stirring music and dance.
"We're on a mission from God."
Dan Aykroyd explores the origins of an eminently quotable screenplay.
Nestled amid this zany story of two brothers determined to raise the funds needed to prevent the closure of the orphanage where they'd been brought up were unforgettable scenes bursting with skill and glee—the pure elation of movement and community set alight by the joy of Ray Charles's "Shake a Tail Feather"; Cab Calloway's unrivaled scat and commanding call-and-response on "Minnie the Moocher"; or the scorching, invigorating spirituality of James Brown's Reverend in his bring-the-house-down rendition of "The Old Landmark." And every step of the way, Jake and Elwood are there, all passionate vocals and feverish choreography, seized and enlivened by rhythm.
At its heart, The Blues Brothers was as much an outrageous, one-of-a-kind funny as it was a love letter to the music that Aykroyd had loved so dearly and a tribute to the city of Chicago: the World Capital of the Blues. Now, almost 50 years since their fateful SNL debut and more than 40 since the tragic passing of John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd is looking back. In Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, Aykroyd (joined by friends, peers, and bandmates including Paul Shaffer, Steven Jordan, Curtis Salgado, and John Landis) thoughtfully reflects on the musicians that inspired Jake and Elwood; the Blues's journey from donning bumblebee costumes on the 30 Rock stage to leaving a lasting mark on the big screen; the film's impact in installing a love of rhythm, blues, and soul in new audiences; his legendary friendship and creative partnership with Belushi; and all the lessons learned and magic made along the way.
In celebration of the release of this audio documentary, Aykroyd shared some additional musings on music and memory, as well as what he ultimately hopes listeners will glean from tuning in.
Alanna McAuliffe: The Arc of Gratitude comes 46 years after the band’s debut, Briefcase Full of Blues. What urged you to tell the story of the band’s origins now, and what was the experience of reflecting on, putting into words, and giving voice to this moment in time like?
Dan Aykroyd: Audible Originals approached Jim Belushi [brother of the late John Belushi] and me with the idea. It was a very emotional experience.
"My first sighting of John was as dramatic as he would've liked."
Aykroyd reflects on the moment he met longtime friend John Belushi.
The audio documentary assesses the characters of Jake and Elwood Blues both as inventions and as alter-egos. What inspired you and John Belushi to craft fictionalized characters for the band, and how much of yourselves were reflected in the pair?
Jake and Elwood were inspired by the great bandleaders Cab Calloway and Wynonie Harris, who mixed comedy with showcasing superb musicians. John and I revered the artists just as Jake and Elwood did.
"We had a good feel for the music..."
Aykroyd shares the origins behind Jake and Elwood's signature style and sound.
Our team was so sorry to hear of the recent passing of Judy Belushi Pisano, the widow of John Belushi whose presence in The Arc of Gratitude lent an additional layer of depth to your dynamic portrait of him. What do you hope listeners will take away from hearing more about Belushi directly from those who loved him?
I hope listeners get a feel for how charismatic, magnetic, intelligent, and talented John was.
From the very start of your Audible Original, you emphasize just how significant a force music has been throughout your life. How did it feel to work alongside and form relationships with tremendous musicians including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown, and to be able to support their craft through The Blues Brothers?
Exhilarating.
"The scene had rendered me immobile with awe..."
Aykroyd recounts working alongside the inimitable Aretha Franklin.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live’s October 1975 debut. Did you anticipate the massive success of SNL when you first took the stage at 30 Rock? And do you have any other reflections on this milestone or your time on SNL that you’d like to share with listeners?
No one knew then that SNL would endure through these decades. Hanging with music artists [and] bands such as The Stones, The Dead, and The Band was always fun.
If you were to recommend any albums or artists to help the uninitiated get started on their own music journey, what would that playlist look like?
For guitar players: Alvin Youngblood Hart.
For harmonica players: Lazy Lester.
For keyboard players: Jimmy Smith.
For vocalists: Bobby “Blue” Bland.
For percussionists: Steve Jordan.
For horn players: The Blues Brothers movie band.
"No, no, no, no, you're missing the pitch on that phrase!"
Aykroyd recalls an incomparable music tutor: Mr. Ray Charles.
And one last question, while we’re on the topic of all things auditory, do you have any personal favorite audiobooks or podcasts that you’ve enjoyed or found particularly compelling?
All true crime podcasts. Particularly The Keepers [a docuseries on the murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, as covered in the second season of Foul Play]. I went to a Catholic seminary school and encountered these archetypes.
