BLUES N'AT

     In 1975, NBC launched the ground breaking show "Saturday Night Live". It combined the elements of comedy and music into a 90 minute show that was "Live from New York". The show helped launch the careers of the members of the cast, the "Not Ready For Prime-Time Players". In 1976, two members of the original cast, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, developed a sketch that featured the characters of "Joliet" Jake and Elwood, the Blues Brothers. Their first appearance on SNL was January 17, 1976. Jake (Belushi) was the lead singer and Elwood (Aykroyd) the harmonica player/background vocalist.

     Originally the band was called "The Blues Brothers' Show Band And Revue". The Blues Brothers were backed by some of the best musicians in the business including members of SNL's  band as well as the famed Stax Records house band. No slouches here. On April 22, 1978 the band made their first appearance on SNL as the musical guest. Their final "Saturday Night Live" appearance was November 18, 1978. Although, Belushi and Aykroyd left SNL in 1979 to pursue film careers, they were not ready to leave behind Jake and Elwood.

     Belushi and Aykroyd bonded over blues when SNL cast members would unwind at Aykroyd's blues club "Holland Tunnel Blues" after tapings. Ironically, even though Belushi was born and raised in Chicago it was Aykroyd that introduced Belushi to the wonderful world of blues as they would play favorites on the jukebox and jam with musicians at the bar. A love of soul and blues blossomed into the Blues Brothers act as the duo donned sunglasses, black suits and skinny ties. Belushi's love of the blues intensified when he met singer/harmonica player Curtis Salgado on location while filming "Animal House". Growing up in Canada, Aykroyd was indoctrinated into the blues at an early age at a local club that featured many of the top blues acts of the day.

     In 1978, pianist Paul Shaffer helped them enlist some of the best musicians around to form the backing band. The result was the Blues Brothers debut album, "Briefcase Full Of Blues", released November 27, 1978. It skyrocketed to #1 on Billboard's Hot 200 and went double platinum. The album was all covers of some of their favorite tunes. It was an opportunity for Belushi and Aykroyd to pay homage to the blues and soul artists that they loved. The disc also spawned 2 hit singles. "Rubber Biscuit" peaked at #37 and "Soul Man" reached #14.

     Ultimately, a tour and the Blues Brothers movie followed. The movie featured more of the Blues Brothers idols such as Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. It was another way for Belushi and Aykroyd to keep the blues alive.

     Sadly, Joliet Jake is no more as Belushi OD'd March 5, 1982. But his memory still leaves on with his brother Elwood as Aykroyd has teamed up with James Belushi and John Goodman, among others, to continue to preach the gospel of the blues. After all, they are still "On a mission from God". Until next time, boys and girls. Keep It Bluesy!