The Blues Brothers

The Blues Brothers was a rhythm and blues band fronted by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in character. Belushi (as vocalist Joliet Jake Blues) and Aykroyd (as harpist Elwood Blues) were both members of the original cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live. The Blues Brothers and their alternate identities first appeared in 1977

Later activity

In 1981, The Best of the Blues Brothers was released; this disc would be the first of several compliations and hits collections issued over the years.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On March 5, 1982, Belushi died in Hollywood of an accidental drug overdose.

Related Topics:
March 5 - 1982 - Hollywood - Drug overdose

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After Belushi's death, updated versions of the Blues Brothers have performed on SNL and for charitable and political causes. Aykroyd has been accompanied by Jim Belushi and John Goodman in character as "Zee" Blues and "Mighty Mack" Blues. The copyright owners have also authorized some copycat acts to perform under the Blues Brothers name; one such act performs regularly at the Universal Studios Florida theme park in Orlando.

Related Topics:
Jim Belushi - John Goodman - Universal Studios Florida - Orlando

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1988 Cropper, Dunn, Murphy and others re-formed The Blues Brothers Band for a world tour. They released an album of new material in 1992 entitled Red White and Blues, which included a guest appearance from Elwood Blues.

Related Topics:
1988 - 1992

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Several Blues Brothers platformer games have been made, including two Amiga/PC games by Titus. In 1991, the same company produced a Blues Brothers video game for the NES.

Related Topics:
Amiga - PC - Titus - NES

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Aykroyd continued to be an active proponent of blues music and parlayed this avocation into foundation and partial ownership of the House of Blues franchise, an international chain of nightclubs. In character as Elwood, he also hosts the syndicated House of Blues Radio Hour.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~