The Blues Brothers and Their Music

The Blues Brothers are an American blues and soul revivalist band founded in 1978 by comedy actors Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. The band made its first film appearance in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, directed by John Landis, and became a real touring band thereafter.

The Blues Brothers

The Blues Brothers are an American blues and rhythm and blues band founded in 1978 by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. The band made its debut as the musical guest on the April 22, 1978, episode of Saturday Night Live, where they performed “Hey Bartender” and “Soul Man”. The band grew in popularity as it toured throughout the United States with a raw and energetic stage show. The Blues Brothers were well-known for their comedic routines, which often included various characters from other sketches on Saturday Night Live. The band’s popularity led to Aykroyd and Belushi receiving their own movie, The Blues Brothers, in 1980. The film featured the band performing various blues and soul classics, as well as original songs penned by Aykroyd and Belushi. The movie was a critical and commercial success, and the Blues Brothers became one of the most popular bands of the 1980s.

Their History

The Blues Brothers have been entertaining audiences since 1978, when they debuted on Saturday Night Live. The brainchild of comedy legends Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, the Blues Brothers were created as a way to showcase Belushi’s musical talents and to satirize the Cotton Club-era of big band jazz and blues.

With Aykroyd as “Elwood Blues” and Belushi as “Joliet Jake Blues,” the Blues Brothers became one of the most popular SNL sketches of all time, leading to the release of their iconic debut album Briefcase Full of Blues in 1978. The album featured classic blues covers like “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” and “Sweet Home Chicago,” along with original songs like “Rubber Biscuit” and “Gimme Some Lovin’.”

Following Belushi’s untimely death in 1982, Aykroyd carried on the legacy of the Blues Brothers, with help from fellow SNL alum Jim Belushi (John’s younger brother) and singer/songwriter/guitarist John Goodman. The three appeared in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, which featured cameos from legendary musicians like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, James Brown, and John Lee Hooker. The movie was a cult classic, and its soundtrack – featuring more blues classics like “Minnie the Moocher” and “She Caught the Katy” – became an instant best-seller.

The Blues Brothers have continued to touring throughout the years with various lineups, including vocalist/guitarist Steve Cropper (a former member of Booker T. & the MG’s), who played alongside Aykroyd and Belushi in both SNL sketches and The Blues Brothers movie. In recent years, Aykroyd has been joined on stage by his daughter Daniela Monet as part of The Elwood Blues Revue.

The Members

The core members of The Blues Brothers band were Dan Aykroyd (Elwood Blues) on harmonica and vocals, and John Belushi (Joliet Jake Blues) on vocals. Supporting musicians included cabaret singer Ray Charles, James Brown bandleader Pee Wee Ellis, Steve Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn of Booker T. & the MGs, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, future Saturday Night Live (SNL) bandleader Lou Marini, Tom “Bones” Malone, Alan Rubin (“Mr. Fabulous”), and Wilson Pickett’s keyboardist Paul Shaffer. Aykroyd and Belushi also appeared as The Blues Brothers in SNL sketches prior to the formation of the band.

The Music

The Blues Brothers are an American blues and soul revivalist band which was founded in 1978 by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. The band made its big screen debut in 1980 with the self-titled film The Blues Brothers, which was a commercial success. The band’s music has been influenced by a wide range of genres, including rhythm and blues, soul, and rock and roll.

The Genre

The Blues Brothers are a musical duo made up of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. They rose to fame in the late 1970s with their appearances on Saturday Night Live and their iconic film, The Blues Brothers. The duo’s music is a mix of blues, soul, and R&B. They have been credited with reviving interest in the blues genre and bringing it to a wider audience. The Blues Brothers have released four albums, the most successful of which is Briefcase Full of Blues.

The Influences

TheUDL Guidelines-Music can be seen as a melting pot of all other genres, melding together aspects of African spirituals, work songs, hymns, and country and western music. In the hands of the right performer, these disparate ingredients can come together to create something thrilling and new. The Blues Brothers are a perfect example of this phenomenon.

Formed in 1978 by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, The Blues Brothers were originally conceived as a musical sketch for Saturday Night Live. The duo quickly became one of the most popular acts on the show, thanks in large part to their infectious energy and undeniable musical chops. Despite their comedic origins, The Blues Brothers took their music very seriously, drawing inspiration from some of the most influential artists in blues and soul history.

Artists like Muddy Waters, James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and John Lee Hooker were all major influences on The Blues Brothers’ sound. In turn, Aykroyd and Belushi helped introduce these artists to a whole new generation of fans through their appearances on Saturday Night Live and their 1980 film debutThe Blues Brothers. While The Blues Brothers may be best remembered for their entertaining antics, there’s no denying the impact they had on the world of music.

The Sound

The sound of The Blues Brothers was a mix of blues, rhythm and blues, and soul music. The band drew inspiration from the big bands of the 1940s and 1950s, as well as the work of early rhythm and blues artists such as Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, and James Brown. The band’s sound was also influenced by the rock and roll of Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry.

The Legacy

The Blues Brothers are an American musical and comedy duo who appeared on Saturday Night Live in the late 1970s. The duo, made up of actors Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, became iconic for their characters and their music. The Blues Brothers were known for their blues and soul music and their cover of “Rawhide”. They released two albums, “Briefcase Full of Blues” and “Made in America”, before Belushi’s death in 1982. The Blues Brothers have been credited with reviving interest in the blues, and their music has been influential to many artists.

The Impact

The Blues Brothers were an American blues and soul revivalist band founded in 1978 by comedian Dan Aykroyd and singer John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. Belushi and Aykroyd, respectively in character as lead vocalist “Joliet” Jake Blues and harmonica player/vocalist Elwood Blues, fronted the band which was composed of well-known and respected musicians. The original lineup included Paul Shaffer on keyboards, Steve Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn on guitar, Lou Marini on saxophone, Alan Rubin on trumpet, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, and Willie Hall on drums.

After the release of their 1980 debut album Briefcase Full of Blues, theBluesthen toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada. The band’s popularity waned after Belushi’s death from a drug overdose in 1982; however, Aykroyd and Shaffer continued to tour sporadically under The Blues Brothers name for many years afterwards with various lineups including singers such as James Belushi (John’s brother), Dan Ackroyd (no relation), John Goodman, Jim Belushi (another brother), Eugene Jarecki, Tom “Bones” Malone ,and Tom “Ziggy” Marionis Jr., among others.

The group re-formed in 1988 for a world tour and again in 1998 for another world tour featuring mostly recycled material from the 1980s with few new recordings. In 2018, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that Aykroyd and Belushi would be honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in the category of Live Performance; the star was unveiled on January 11th 2019.

The Influence

The Blues Brothers began as a comedy act, but the music they performed was no laughing matter. The band became a force to be reckoned with, bridging the gap between blues and rock and becoming one of the most popular groups of the 1970s and 1980s. Today, the band’s influence can still be heard in the music of many contemporary artists.

The Blues Brothers were more than just a rock band – they were a phenomenon. The brainchild of comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, the band was formed for a sketch on Saturday Night Live in 1978. The skit was so popular that it led to the making of a full-length movie, The Blues Brothers (1980), which featured musical performances by legends like Ray Charles, James Brown, Cab Calloway, and Aretha Franklin.

While Aykroyd and Belushi were not professional musicians, they surrounded themselves with some of the best talent in the business. The core members of the band were guitarist Matt “Guitar” Murphy, keyboardist Paul Shaffer, bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn, and drummer Steve Cropper – all of whom had played with some of the biggest names in blues and rock history. With this group of musicians backing them up, Aykroyd and Belushi were able to create a sound that was both respectful of its roots and fresh for its time.

The Blues Brothers released their first album, Briefcase Full of Blues (1978), shortly after their SNL debut. The album was an immediate success, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 200 chart and going double platinum. It featured covers of classic blues songs like “Sweet Home Chicago” and “Rubber Biscuit” as well as original tunes like “Theme from Rawhide” and “(I Got Everything I Need) Except You”.

The success of Briefcase Full of Blues led to an even bigger project – The Blues Brothers movie. Director John Landis brought Aykroyd’s script to life with a mix of comedy and musical performances that showcased the best talent in both genres. The movie was a box office hit, grossing over $115 million worldwide, and its soundtrack reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 200 chart.

After the release of The Blues Brothers movie, Aykroyd and Belushi took their act on the road. The band performed concerts all over the world for over a decade before Belushi’s untimely death in 1982 brought an end to the group. Although they only released two albums during their brief time together, The Blues Brothers left a lasting impression on both music and popular culture.

The group’s mix of blues, soul, R&B, and rock ‘n roll had a profound effect on many artists who came after them. In particular, The White Stripes – who consisted entirely of singer/guitarist Jack White and drummer Meg White – listed The Blues Brothers as one of their primary influences. Other bands like Arcade Fire, Muse, Black Keys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alabama Shakes have also been inspired by the work of Aykroyd & Belushi