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The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic
The story of the epic friendship between John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, the golden era of improv, and the making of a comedic film classic that helped shape our popular culture “They’re not going to catch us,” Dan Aykroyd as Elwood Blues tells his brother Jake, played by John Belushi. “We’re on a mission from God.” So opens the musical action comedy The Blues Brothers , which hit theatres on June 20, 1980. Their scripted mission was to save a local Chicago orphanage; but Aykroyd, who conceived and wrote the film, had a greater to honor the then-seemingly forgotten tradition of rhythm and blues, some of whose greatest artists—Aretha Franklin, James Brown, John Lee Hooker, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles—made the film as unforgettable as its wild car chases. Late and vastly over budget, beset by mercurial and oft drugged-out stars, The Blues Brothers opened to tepid reviews at best. However, in the 44 years since it has been acknowledged a inducted into the National Film Registry for its cultural significance; even declared a “Catholic classic” by the Church itself; and re-aired thousands of times on television to huge worldwide audiences. It is, undeniably, one of the most significant films of the 20th century. The story behind any classic is rich; the saga behind The Blues Brothers , as Daniel de Visé reveals, is epic, encompassing the colorful childhoods of Belushi and Aykroyd; the comedic revolution sparked by Harvard’s Lampoon and Chicago’s Second City; the birth and anecdote-rich, drug-filled early years of Saturday Night Live , where the Blues Brothers were born as an act amidst turmoil and rivalry; and of course the indelible behind-the-scenes narrative of how the film was made, scene by memorable scene. Based on original research and dozens of interviews probing the memories of principals from director John Landis and producer Bob Weiss to SNL creator Lorne Michaels and Aykroyd himself, The Blues Brothers vividly portrays the creative geniuses behind modern comedy.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 19, 2024
About the author
Daniel de Visé
11 books56 followersDaniel de Visé is a writer and journalist. His books have been translated into Spanish, German, Dutch, and Estonian. A graduate of Wesleyan and Northwestern universities, he has worked at The Washington Post, USA Today, the Miami Herald and four other newspapers. He shared a 2001 team Pulitzer Prize and garnered more than two dozen other national and regional journalism awards. His investigative reporting twice led to the release of wrongly convicted men from life terms in prison. His first book, I Forgot To Remember (with Su Meck, Simon & Schuster, 2014), began as a front-page article de Visé wrote for the Washington Post in 2011. His second book, Andy & Don (Simon & Schuster, 2015), began as a journalistic exploration into the storied career of his late brother-in-law, Don Knotts. Andy & Don is now in its eleventh paperback printing. His third book, The Comeback (Grove Atlantic, 2018), rekindled a childhood obsession with professional cycling and the sport's forgotten hero, Greg LeMond. The Comeback inspired Congress to award LeMond its highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, in December 2020. His fourth book, King of the Blues, honors a lifelong passion for collecting, performing and writing about music. King of the Blues was longlisted for the 2022 PEN America award in biography.
Daniel is married to Sophie Yarborough, an editor at The Washington Post. They and their children live in Maryland. Contact Daniel at ddevise [at] gmail.com
Daniel is married to Sophie Yarborough, an editor at The Washington Post. They and their children live in Maryland. Contact Daniel at ddevise [at] gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 20, 2024
"What kind of music do you usually have here?"
"Oh we got both kinds. We got country AND western."
The reason I picked that movie quote to put at the top is because it was my dad's favourite, he'd always burst out laughing, and since he's the one who introduced me to the masterpiece that is The Blues Brothers it seemed fitting.
I have loved this movie since I was a baby, it's still my absolute favourite to this day and nothing will ever top it. So you can imagine how excited I was to read this and how much it means to me.
This is not only about the movie though, we get to see John & Dan's childhoods, their comedy beginnings, how they eventually met to create the best duo fueled by real friendship...and we also see the not-so-sunny parts of John's life (aka the struggle with drugs and how it affected all of his relationships, from personal to work).
I knew a bit about their lives, but never really dug into them as much, so a lot of this was new info for me. I had no idea they were on SNL!!! Though to be fair, that's not really a thing that was broadcasted in my country, and I wasn't even alive back then so I think I'm forgiven. I'd like to go back and watch the skits featuring them though, they seem so fun.
Also, seeing some other famous people (Meat Loaf!) during the comedy days was like a crossover I never knew I needed.
They start getting the band together at 40 something %, and I won't lie, I was smiling from ear to ear during those parts. And how everyone should have a middle name like Matt Guitar Murphy, I could visualise that scene perfectly.
Then we finally get to the making of the movie, and boy, was that a chaos-filled endeavor. I would expect nothing less. I loved the behind the scenes look at how it all went down. And, I knew it was expensive, but...oh my. WORTH IT THOUGH!
Even if it wasn't a good movie (obviously it's amazing), it would've been worth it just for the revival of so many blues musicians' careers.
The book also covers Dan & John's acting adventures, John's tragic death, the Blues Brothers sequel...really it covers everything you could imagine. At this point I'm surprised it wasn't even longer.
It (the ebook) ends at 87%, the rest is the acknowledgements and notes, so I wish I had a physical copy for a better notes overview. I'll be getting one, don't you worry.
There's a lot of music mentioned between the pages, so my advice is to have your music app of choice open and ready, and when a song or artist is mentioned you go and listen for an even more immersive experience. And if you're listening on audiobook well...pause it or something I don't know.
This was so well researched, I'm looking forward to reading the author's book on B. B. King now too. And I really wish my dad was still alive so I could share The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic with him.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
"Oh we got both kinds. We got country AND western."
The reason I picked that movie quote to put at the top is because it was my dad's favourite, he'd always burst out laughing, and since he's the one who introduced me to the masterpiece that is The Blues Brothers it seemed fitting.
I have loved this movie since I was a baby, it's still my absolute favourite to this day and nothing will ever top it. So you can imagine how excited I was to read this and how much it means to me.
This is not only about the movie though, we get to see John & Dan's childhoods, their comedy beginnings, how they eventually met to create the best duo fueled by real friendship...and we also see the not-so-sunny parts of John's life (aka the struggle with drugs and how it affected all of his relationships, from personal to work).
I knew a bit about their lives, but never really dug into them as much, so a lot of this was new info for me. I had no idea they were on SNL!!! Though to be fair, that's not really a thing that was broadcasted in my country, and I wasn't even alive back then so I think I'm forgiven. I'd like to go back and watch the skits featuring them though, they seem so fun.
Also, seeing some other famous people (Meat Loaf!) during the comedy days was like a crossover I never knew I needed.
They start getting the band together at 40 something %, and I won't lie, I was smiling from ear to ear during those parts. And how everyone should have a middle name like Matt Guitar Murphy, I could visualise that scene perfectly.
Then we finally get to the making of the movie, and boy, was that a chaos-filled endeavor. I would expect nothing less. I loved the behind the scenes look at how it all went down. And, I knew it was expensive, but...oh my. WORTH IT THOUGH!
Even if it wasn't a good movie (obviously it's amazing), it would've been worth it just for the revival of so many blues musicians' careers.
The book also covers Dan & John's acting adventures, John's tragic death, the Blues Brothers sequel...really it covers everything you could imagine. At this point I'm surprised it wasn't even longer.
It (the ebook) ends at 87%, the rest is the acknowledgements and notes, so I wish I had a physical copy for a better notes overview. I'll be getting one, don't you worry.
There's a lot of music mentioned between the pages, so my advice is to have your music app of choice open and ready, and when a song or artist is mentioned you go and listen for an even more immersive experience. And if you're listening on audiobook well...pause it or something I don't know.
This was so well researched, I'm looking forward to reading the author's book on B. B. King now too. And I really wish my dad was still alive so I could share The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic with him.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
March 26, 2024
The Blues Brothers by Daniel de Visé will be a different book to different people and it almost entirely depends on how much you love John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and the move The Blues Brothers.
If you've never heard of any of them or the movie, then this is not a book for you. While de Visé writes a well researched and competent book, it relies heavily on nostalgia for the main protagonists. You would be better off just watching The Blues Brothers because I am part of the second group who loves everything about the movie.
For my fellow fanatics, de Visé provides plenty of behind the scenes information and an extended biography of Belushi. Aykroyd gets much less attention throughout the narrative and very often the book feels completely overtaken by Belushi's drug habit. This is probably appropriate as Belushi's drug habit overtook everything in his life and the people around him. I felt de Visé gives Belushi a bit too much grace. While we are luckily, as a society, moving away from vilifying addicts, it very much sounds like Belushi could be very difficult without the intervention of booze and drugs. Also, de Visé takes quite a while to get to the actual Blues Brothers as both an act and a movie. While there are quick glimpses, they only enter the narrative permanently almost midway through the book.
However, even with these issues, there is plenty to capture the attention of fans. The author did plenty of research and cares tremendously about his subjects. That will be enough to keep fanatics happy.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Grove Atlantic.)
If you've never heard of any of them or the movie, then this is not a book for you. While de Visé writes a well researched and competent book, it relies heavily on nostalgia for the main protagonists. You would be better off just watching The Blues Brothers because I am part of the second group who loves everything about the movie.
For my fellow fanatics, de Visé provides plenty of behind the scenes information and an extended biography of Belushi. Aykroyd gets much less attention throughout the narrative and very often the book feels completely overtaken by Belushi's drug habit. This is probably appropriate as Belushi's drug habit overtook everything in his life and the people around him. I felt de Visé gives Belushi a bit too much grace. While we are luckily, as a society, moving away from vilifying addicts, it very much sounds like Belushi could be very difficult without the intervention of booze and drugs. Also, de Visé takes quite a while to get to the actual Blues Brothers as both an act and a movie. While there are quick glimpses, they only enter the narrative permanently almost midway through the book.
However, even with these issues, there is plenty to capture the attention of fans. The author did plenty of research and cares tremendously about his subjects. That will be enough to keep fanatics happy.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Grove Atlantic.)
April 2, 2024
Daniel de Vise' does a masterful job weaving mini-biographies of John Belushi and Dan Akyroyd's own lives until they first met. Next comes the burgeoning comedy scenes in both Chicago and Toronto which produced so many future superstars. Eventually 200+ pages in, de Vise' gets into the making of the Blues Brothers. It goes into extended detail, but at no point does the reading turn into a slog. After reading about the making of the movie, the ballooning budget, all the drug use, and the many crash scenes - it almost leads me to think - It's a miracle this movie even got made.
While the entire book occurred before my time, I was introduced to the Blues Brothers the same way most millennials were - through frequent reruns on WGN and TBS. It's amongst my favorite comedies of all time.
It's definitely a 5-star book if you are a fan of the movie, like myself. For those who may have seen it once or twice, I wouldn't recommend the book. Then again, the book is pretty much self-selecting. I will say, if the book is at your library, and you're interested in learning more about the childhoods and teenage years of Belushi and Aykroyd - it's still worth a checkout - for the first 80 pages. I figured Belushi was a typical high school slacker. The man excelled in everything when he was young - from athletics, to acting, to student leadership positions.
While the entire book occurred before my time, I was introduced to the Blues Brothers the same way most millennials were - through frequent reruns on WGN and TBS. It's amongst my favorite comedies of all time.
It's definitely a 5-star book if you are a fan of the movie, like myself. For those who may have seen it once or twice, I wouldn't recommend the book. Then again, the book is pretty much self-selecting. I will say, if the book is at your library, and you're interested in learning more about the childhoods and teenage years of Belushi and Aykroyd - it's still worth a checkout - for the first 80 pages. I figured Belushi was a typical high school slacker. The man excelled in everything when he was young - from athletics, to acting, to student leadership positions.
April 6, 2024
A fascinating look at the history of the Blues Brothers and the rise and fall of John Belushi.
This was great. The Blues Brothers has always been my favorite, if not one of my favorite films of all time. Musicals, yes. As far as films go, it's simply a hard decision for it to beat the Goonies and Raiders of the Lost Ark. But it is up there.
Blues Brothers 2000? Not so much, although I do enjoy the film. I grew up with it. I saw it as a kid, so it stays in my mind often. And that soundtrack! Both films have superb music to accompany the films. Both of those soundtracks could rival any of today or even back then!
Unfortunately, there is a lack of info on the making of 2000, but we were lucky to get anything about it at all, if I'm being honest. Some may be relieved. In fact, the book practically ends with the loss of Belushi. 2000 is sort of mentioned in passing through the epilogue.
One thing I know for sure is that when I head up to see my parents, I can say to them, "DID YOU KNOW...?" The Blues Brothers is in my Dad's top 5 as well and I'm happy to say we can both share an equal amount of facts now. My favorite being Lord of the Rings composer Howard Shore came up with the name "the Blues Brothers." But there is much more to learn about that a few quick facts. For those, you'll have to read and find out for yourself.
Highly recommended.
Side note: I can usually spot typos as they come to me, but I only noticed one in the hardcover: the author refers to Jake as "Jack" on page 244. Tis but a minor blemish, though, in an otherwise well proofread book.
This was great. The Blues Brothers has always been my favorite, if not one of my favorite films of all time. Musicals, yes. As far as films go, it's simply a hard decision for it to beat the Goonies and Raiders of the Lost Ark. But it is up there.
Blues Brothers 2000? Not so much, although I do enjoy the film. I grew up with it. I saw it as a kid, so it stays in my mind often. And that soundtrack! Both films have superb music to accompany the films. Both of those soundtracks could rival any of today or even back then!
Unfortunately, there is a lack of info on the making of 2000, but we were lucky to get anything about it at all, if I'm being honest. Some may be relieved. In fact, the book practically ends with the loss of Belushi. 2000 is sort of mentioned in passing through the epilogue.
One thing I know for sure is that when I head up to see my parents, I can say to them, "DID YOU KNOW...?" The Blues Brothers is in my Dad's top 5 as well and I'm happy to say we can both share an equal amount of facts now. My favorite being Lord of the Rings composer Howard Shore came up with the name "the Blues Brothers." But there is much more to learn about that a few quick facts. For those, you'll have to read and find out for yourself.
Highly recommended.
Side note: I can usually spot typos as they come to me, but I only noticed one in the hardcover: the author refers to Jake as "Jack" on page 244. Tis but a minor blemish, though, in an otherwise well proofread book.
December 21, 2023
Immersive account that transcends its title. I chose this thinking it would only cover the movie of the Blues Brothers, not knowing that it would deliver far more, what amounts to a deep dive into the culture that made the movie possible. The backstories and early lives of Belushi and Ackroyd, also of Lorne Michaels, of Saturday Night Live and how the members of Chicago's Second City formed what became the defining comedy of the day that continues in one form or another to the present time. It did see that, like the fans, de Visé was more intrigued with Belushi, that his explosive personality overshadowed everything around him, and his story was predominant. Stands to reason. His talent and tragic, senseless early death have never lost their fascination.
October 22, 2023
This is an effective chronicle of one of the key threads that wove together around pop culture in the mid and late 1970s. I’ve read Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad’s Saturday Night multiple times so I recognized some of the anecdotes…but this story only intersects with SNL and the author manages to start with the childhoods of Aykroyd, Belushi and Landis to build out the key players as they cross paths and connect around this pivotal moment in comedy. I also really enjoyed the anecdotes specific to the making of the film; the author does a great job of digging into the production and fleshing out the day to day of a production that ballooned out of control. There was a lot of lightning caught in many bottles in the late 1970s and this book does a great job of chronicling the stories around one of those bottles.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
February 28, 2024
Those of us who tuned into NBC's Saturday Night back in the day just to get another dose of John Belushi's craziness (in my case, it was also to see Gilda Radner in action) should not have been surprised by John's sudden death or even the way that he died. But most of us still were. Daniel de Visé's The Blues Brothers, part dual-biography, part show business history, and part cultural history, is a vivid recreation of those times.
Dan Aykroid and John Belushi were destined to become best friends at some point in their lives. The two men followed remarkably similar career paths to the "overnight success" and sudden stardom they seemed to achieve as cast members of Saturday Night. Both were products of comedy clubs, Akyroid in Toronto and Belushi in his home town of Chicago, that featured small groups of improvisational comedians so when they began working together on Saturday Night, the magic came early and it came often.
Surprisingly, it would be the relatively nerdy Dan Akyroid who ended up introducing the more worldly John Belushi to a style of music he knew almost nothing about despite having grown up in Chicago. Belushi was quick to pick up on Akyroid's enthusiasm for the sound, and it was probably inevitable that their shared love of the blues would be reflected on television screens all over America. And that television version of The Blues Brothers band turned out to be so much fun and so popular a concept, that in 1980 it led directly to the outrageously expensive and difficult-to-film movie The Blues Brothers, a movie that is now considered to be a true film classic.
The success of The Blues Brothers movie made the pair, but especially Belushi, such hot stars that Belushi's already problematic relationship to alcohol and drugs grew to out-of-control levels that began to threaten his marriage, his ability to work, and his life. Despite the efforts of those who knew him best, there was no going back for John Belushi.
Fans of the movie (and the musical genre) will be especially pleased to see how many pages the book devotes to the making of The Blues Brothers. The utter destruction and chaos endured by the city of Chicago during its filming is so unbelievable that it is difficult to believe that it was ever allowed to happen. This was an incredibly expensive and difficult movie to make, but even after expenditures reached a point of no return, the millions of dollars kept adding up to the extent that recovering even the cost of the movie seemed impossible to studio executives. The Blues Brothers was an important movie in another sense; it jumpstarted the waning careers of some blues regulars who were barely hanging on in 1980. Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown found a whole new generation of fans, and some would go on to enjoy the most lucrative years of their entire careers.
Reading The Blues Brothers is a little like watching a massive train wreck in slow motion, but the book is packed with so many details and stories that Blues Brothers fans are certain to be intrigued by what they learn from it.
Dan Aykroid and John Belushi were destined to become best friends at some point in their lives. The two men followed remarkably similar career paths to the "overnight success" and sudden stardom they seemed to achieve as cast members of Saturday Night. Both were products of comedy clubs, Akyroid in Toronto and Belushi in his home town of Chicago, that featured small groups of improvisational comedians so when they began working together on Saturday Night, the magic came early and it came often.
Surprisingly, it would be the relatively nerdy Dan Akyroid who ended up introducing the more worldly John Belushi to a style of music he knew almost nothing about despite having grown up in Chicago. Belushi was quick to pick up on Akyroid's enthusiasm for the sound, and it was probably inevitable that their shared love of the blues would be reflected on television screens all over America. And that television version of The Blues Brothers band turned out to be so much fun and so popular a concept, that in 1980 it led directly to the outrageously expensive and difficult-to-film movie The Blues Brothers, a movie that is now considered to be a true film classic.
The success of The Blues Brothers movie made the pair, but especially Belushi, such hot stars that Belushi's already problematic relationship to alcohol and drugs grew to out-of-control levels that began to threaten his marriage, his ability to work, and his life. Despite the efforts of those who knew him best, there was no going back for John Belushi.
Fans of the movie (and the musical genre) will be especially pleased to see how many pages the book devotes to the making of The Blues Brothers. The utter destruction and chaos endured by the city of Chicago during its filming is so unbelievable that it is difficult to believe that it was ever allowed to happen. This was an incredibly expensive and difficult movie to make, but even after expenditures reached a point of no return, the millions of dollars kept adding up to the extent that recovering even the cost of the movie seemed impossible to studio executives. The Blues Brothers was an important movie in another sense; it jumpstarted the waning careers of some blues regulars who were barely hanging on in 1980. Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown found a whole new generation of fans, and some would go on to enjoy the most lucrative years of their entire careers.
Reading The Blues Brothers is a little like watching a massive train wreck in slow motion, but the book is packed with so many details and stories that Blues Brothers fans are certain to be intrigued by what they learn from it.
January 29, 2024
A truly great read for fans of the Blues Brothers and early Saturday Night Live. Very well researched and written, I stayed hooked throughout. A fitting tribute to John Belushi and Dan Ackryod, as well as Aretha, Ray Charles, James Brown and Cab Calloway. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 13, 2024
“We’re on a mission from God.” ��� Elwood Blues
That quote, one of several that are oft-quoted from the film that is now considered to be a Cult Classic, “The Blues Brothers,” is the event that marked the apex culmination of what began as a side gig from the classic comedy duo of Johnn Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
THE BLUES BROTHERS – An Epic Friendship, the Rise Of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic from author Daniel De Vise is the most complete exploration of not only the fictional blues singers Jake and Elwood Blues but a look at the historical comedic rise of two of the most talented improv actors in North America during the 70’s & 80’s, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
De Vise gives us so much more to savor in this book, especially in his treatment of the late, great Belushi. It is sobering to see how everyone within his orbit during his meteoric rise knew that he was going to flame out shortly --- but what a ride it was! He gets a must more just handling in these pages than he received decades ago in the biography WIRED from Bob Woodward.
The history is taken chronologically, which I love when we are dealing with such a lengthy period of time. However, the Prologue opens with the moment the world first meets Jake and Elwood. It was an episode of Saturday Night Live on April 22, 1978, and the opening sequence showed bandleader Paul Shaffer doing his Don Kirschner routine as he introduced the two Ray-Bans sunglasses wearing black suited brothers from Joliet, Illinois. At first, the audience didn’t know what to make of it --- was this a comic bit or not. Their first song, “Hey Bartender” was backed by a professional, great-sounding band and the boys brought it home. The Blues Brothers were born!
John Belushi was the son of Albanian immigrants and was raised in Humboldt Park, IL where he starred in both sports and drama in High School. He and his girlfriend --- and later wife --- Judy Jacklin Belushi were High School sweethearts and John was even named King at their Prom. However, it was his quick wit and knack for improv comedy that put him on the map and launched a career that began with the famous Second City Improv Troupe from Chicago. Many famous names came out of he Chicago Second City and John was fortunate to be working with other future stars of comedy like Joe Flaherty, Brian-Doyle Murray, and Harold Ramis.
His time at Second City even found him visiting the start-up branch in Toronto --- this was the first time he and the young Canadian comic Dan Aykroyd ever met. Belushi’s career led him to New York City where he did his Joc Cocker impersonation for the Off-Broadway show “Lemmings,” which also starred young comedians Chevy Chase and Christopher Guest. Belushi loved NYC and his notoriety caught the eye of NBC producer Lorne Michaels, who was just putting together a cast for a late-night sketch comedy show. His first hire was Gilda Radner, also an alumni from Second City Toronto, then came John and his recommendation, Dan Aykroyd.
Comedy, both sketch and improvisational, was a small world at this time and John had also crossed paths with the guys at National Lampoon where one of their top writers, Michael O’Donoghue, was coming on board with the new Saturday Night show as a head writer. Ironically, the very first sketch ever shown on year one of SNL featured Belushi, O’Donoghue, and Chevy Chase. Even though Dan’s journey was different coming from Canada, and he was four years junior to Belushi, they hit it off right away like kismet and soon found themselves in competition with Chase for the spotlight on SNL during a first season where none of them thought there would be a second.
Of course, there was, and SNL is still the longest running sketch comedy show in tv history. Sketch comedy, though it draws on a lot of improv skills based on the nature of it being live with a show like SNL, was a different animal. Belushi had not had to memorize lines for years and found his reliance on improv always coming in handy. For those not familiar with improv, it is not only the lifeblood of comedy but also live theater. As an actor and drama teacher I like to tell my students if you can master improv you can do anything --- you are fearless on stage. Belushi and Aykroyd excelled at ‘acting without net’ on their weekly live show and it would later become the platform to launch one of their other loves --- live music and the blues.
John hated doing the recurring Bess sketch, until the time it was suggested that he turn it into a rock number with a backing band of bee-costumed magicians as they did the “I’m A King Bee” number. It was a hit, and got John and Dan thinking about the fictional characters they had created on a lark --- Jake and Elwood Blues. This brings us to the moment depicted in the Prologue about the 1978 telecast where The Blues Brothers performed as the musical guest for host Steve Martin. This was not only one of the best shows in SNL history but also launched the music, film, and concert side career for Belushi & Aykroyd that would eventually lead to their departure from SNL for Hollywood.
Belushi had already found much success with National Lampoon’s “Animal House” and was also signed on for the Spielberg film “1941”, where he also got Dan and John Candy small roles. That movie bombed at the box office, but the combination of working with Directors John Landis and now Steven Spielberg on his resume inspired John and Dan to write that Blues Brothers script. It took a long time to move from concept to screen and the stories about the John Landis directed Blues Brothers movie are legendary. The film was filled with great cameos from real legit singers and blues stars like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, John Lee Hooker, and Cab Calloway. The Blues Band was also no joke and was made up of some of the best musicians out there, which included legendary blues/rock guitarists Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn.
The movie was overblown, overlong, overbudget, and some screen tests claimed it was both too muddled and too black. Belushi and Aykroyd scoffed at this and stuck to their guns. Thirty minutes were trimmed from the Director’s Cut and The Blues Brothers became one of the highest grossing films of the year. It is still considered a cult film classic with some of the best music, comedy, and stunts/car chases ever recorded on film.
As much fun as this book was, it was like watching the film “Titanic” where you were enjoying everything so much you almost forgot about the tragic ending. On March 5, 1982, John Belushi died from an overdose called speedball, a mixture of heroin and cocaine that was injected. He was 33 years old. Dan Aykroyd had the unfortunate role of telling John’s wife, Judy, that her husband was gone. Even with this necessary, morose bit that needs to be experienced to truly appreciate their legacy, this work on The Blues Brothers/Jake & Elwood/John & Dan is a pleasure to behold. De Vise did the best research job with this subject matter, and I am such a huge fan I read EVERYTHING on Belushi and The Blues Brothers. Step back in time to what many people might consider a better, more innocent fun-loving age and immerse yourself once again with the legends known as The Blues Brothers. Hit it!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
That quote, one of several that are oft-quoted from the film that is now considered to be a Cult Classic, “The Blues Brothers,” is the event that marked the apex culmination of what began as a side gig from the classic comedy duo of Johnn Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
THE BLUES BROTHERS – An Epic Friendship, the Rise Of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic from author Daniel De Vise is the most complete exploration of not only the fictional blues singers Jake and Elwood Blues but a look at the historical comedic rise of two of the most talented improv actors in North America during the 70’s & 80’s, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
De Vise gives us so much more to savor in this book, especially in his treatment of the late, great Belushi. It is sobering to see how everyone within his orbit during his meteoric rise knew that he was going to flame out shortly --- but what a ride it was! He gets a must more just handling in these pages than he received decades ago in the biography WIRED from Bob Woodward.
The history is taken chronologically, which I love when we are dealing with such a lengthy period of time. However, the Prologue opens with the moment the world first meets Jake and Elwood. It was an episode of Saturday Night Live on April 22, 1978, and the opening sequence showed bandleader Paul Shaffer doing his Don Kirschner routine as he introduced the two Ray-Bans sunglasses wearing black suited brothers from Joliet, Illinois. At first, the audience didn’t know what to make of it --- was this a comic bit or not. Their first song, “Hey Bartender” was backed by a professional, great-sounding band and the boys brought it home. The Blues Brothers were born!
John Belushi was the son of Albanian immigrants and was raised in Humboldt Park, IL where he starred in both sports and drama in High School. He and his girlfriend --- and later wife --- Judy Jacklin Belushi were High School sweethearts and John was even named King at their Prom. However, it was his quick wit and knack for improv comedy that put him on the map and launched a career that began with the famous Second City Improv Troupe from Chicago. Many famous names came out of he Chicago Second City and John was fortunate to be working with other future stars of comedy like Joe Flaherty, Brian-Doyle Murray, and Harold Ramis.
His time at Second City even found him visiting the start-up branch in Toronto --- this was the first time he and the young Canadian comic Dan Aykroyd ever met. Belushi’s career led him to New York City where he did his Joc Cocker impersonation for the Off-Broadway show “Lemmings,” which also starred young comedians Chevy Chase and Christopher Guest. Belushi loved NYC and his notoriety caught the eye of NBC producer Lorne Michaels, who was just putting together a cast for a late-night sketch comedy show. His first hire was Gilda Radner, also an alumni from Second City Toronto, then came John and his recommendation, Dan Aykroyd.
Comedy, both sketch and improvisational, was a small world at this time and John had also crossed paths with the guys at National Lampoon where one of their top writers, Michael O’Donoghue, was coming on board with the new Saturday Night show as a head writer. Ironically, the very first sketch ever shown on year one of SNL featured Belushi, O’Donoghue, and Chevy Chase. Even though Dan’s journey was different coming from Canada, and he was four years junior to Belushi, they hit it off right away like kismet and soon found themselves in competition with Chase for the spotlight on SNL during a first season where none of them thought there would be a second.
Of course, there was, and SNL is still the longest running sketch comedy show in tv history. Sketch comedy, though it draws on a lot of improv skills based on the nature of it being live with a show like SNL, was a different animal. Belushi had not had to memorize lines for years and found his reliance on improv always coming in handy. For those not familiar with improv, it is not only the lifeblood of comedy but also live theater. As an actor and drama teacher I like to tell my students if you can master improv you can do anything --- you are fearless on stage. Belushi and Aykroyd excelled at ‘acting without net’ on their weekly live show and it would later become the platform to launch one of their other loves --- live music and the blues.
John hated doing the recurring Bess sketch, until the time it was suggested that he turn it into a rock number with a backing band of bee-costumed magicians as they did the “I’m A King Bee” number. It was a hit, and got John and Dan thinking about the fictional characters they had created on a lark --- Jake and Elwood Blues. This brings us to the moment depicted in the Prologue about the 1978 telecast where The Blues Brothers performed as the musical guest for host Steve Martin. This was not only one of the best shows in SNL history but also launched the music, film, and concert side career for Belushi & Aykroyd that would eventually lead to their departure from SNL for Hollywood.
Belushi had already found much success with National Lampoon’s “Animal House” and was also signed on for the Spielberg film “1941”, where he also got Dan and John Candy small roles. That movie bombed at the box office, but the combination of working with Directors John Landis and now Steven Spielberg on his resume inspired John and Dan to write that Blues Brothers script. It took a long time to move from concept to screen and the stories about the John Landis directed Blues Brothers movie are legendary. The film was filled with great cameos from real legit singers and blues stars like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, John Lee Hooker, and Cab Calloway. The Blues Band was also no joke and was made up of some of the best musicians out there, which included legendary blues/rock guitarists Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn.
The movie was overblown, overlong, overbudget, and some screen tests claimed it was both too muddled and too black. Belushi and Aykroyd scoffed at this and stuck to their guns. Thirty minutes were trimmed from the Director’s Cut and The Blues Brothers became one of the highest grossing films of the year. It is still considered a cult film classic with some of the best music, comedy, and stunts/car chases ever recorded on film.
As much fun as this book was, it was like watching the film “Titanic” where you were enjoying everything so much you almost forgot about the tragic ending. On March 5, 1982, John Belushi died from an overdose called speedball, a mixture of heroin and cocaine that was injected. He was 33 years old. Dan Aykroyd had the unfortunate role of telling John’s wife, Judy, that her husband was gone. Even with this necessary, morose bit that needs to be experienced to truly appreciate their legacy, this work on The Blues Brothers/Jake & Elwood/John & Dan is a pleasure to behold. De Vise did the best research job with this subject matter, and I am such a huge fan I read EVERYTHING on Belushi and The Blues Brothers. Step back in time to what many people might consider a better, more innocent fun-loving age and immerse yourself once again with the legends known as The Blues Brothers. Hit it!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
March 9, 2024
I LOVED this audiobook. If you’re a fan of laughing … this era of comedy, SNL … then stop reading these reviews … get this audiobook & experience it the way I just did.
I love this era of SNL! This book wasn’t just about the The Blues Brothers. It covered at least a decade, early 70’s through early 80’s.
20% in and it’s all about John Belushi, then Dan Aykroyd and the comedians of the era of Second City & The Lemmings. This is a good solid start to the book!! You get a feel for these two performers, where they came from, the crowd they moved in & where they were headed.
This is their origin story.
30% in & you get to meet the first cast of SNL & Lorne Michaels. I didn’t know that Belushi & Aykroyd were such close friends. OMG land shark! The BEEs! The Samurai. This has opened me up to an entire world of SNL backlist to watch. Check!
Jane Curtain, Lorraine Newman, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd …
We’re just 35% in when The Blues Brothers band hits the scene … Dan did a lot of writing for SNL. I’ve seen a big book about SNL on the bookstore shelf, I’m even more intrigued. It’s fascinating to hear the backstory of SNL. So much SNL. The Star Trek skit.
Danny & John did several cross country road trips. Friends.
Oh my. John’s escapades with drugs.
Bill Murray enters the scene & The Coneheads.
We’re up to 1975 & we’re only 43% in. Animal House and National Lampoon.
We meet John Landis. The director of The Blues Brothers. And Animal House!
Going South with Jack Nicholson.
Steve Martin … exccccuuuse me.
Cheese Burger Cheese Burger … The Billy Goat Tavern.
50% … we’re at The Blues Brothers and every sentence is bringing it all back.
I feel I need to give you something to look forward to. I recommend this book and the deep dive you will take after … or like me … while … listening to it.
The Blues Brothers movie was written by Dan Aykroyd & the director John Landis. This book prompted me to stop & buy the HD edition of The Blues Brothers and Blues Brothers 2000. Next up will be videos from the early era of SNL. I’m in for hours of belly laughs.
Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape Media. This is a true gem! Good choice of narrator.
I love this era of SNL! This book wasn’t just about the The Blues Brothers. It covered at least a decade, early 70’s through early 80’s.
20% in and it’s all about John Belushi, then Dan Aykroyd and the comedians of the era of Second City & The Lemmings. This is a good solid start to the book!! You get a feel for these two performers, where they came from, the crowd they moved in & where they were headed.
This is their origin story.
30% in & you get to meet the first cast of SNL & Lorne Michaels. I didn’t know that Belushi & Aykroyd were such close friends. OMG land shark! The BEEs! The Samurai. This has opened me up to an entire world of SNL backlist to watch. Check!
Jane Curtain, Lorraine Newman, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd …
We’re just 35% in when The Blues Brothers band hits the scene … Dan did a lot of writing for SNL. I’ve seen a big book about SNL on the bookstore shelf, I’m even more intrigued. It’s fascinating to hear the backstory of SNL. So much SNL. The Star Trek skit.
Danny & John did several cross country road trips. Friends.
Oh my. John’s escapades with drugs.
Bill Murray enters the scene & The Coneheads.
We’re up to 1975 & we’re only 43% in. Animal House and National Lampoon.
We meet John Landis. The director of The Blues Brothers. And Animal House!
Going South with Jack Nicholson.
Steve Martin … exccccuuuse me.
Cheese Burger Cheese Burger … The Billy Goat Tavern.
50% … we’re at The Blues Brothers and every sentence is bringing it all back.
I feel I need to give you something to look forward to. I recommend this book and the deep dive you will take after … or like me … while … listening to it.
The Blues Brothers movie was written by Dan Aykroyd & the director John Landis. This book prompted me to stop & buy the HD edition of The Blues Brothers and Blues Brothers 2000. Next up will be videos from the early era of SNL. I’m in for hours of belly laughs.
Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape Media. This is a true gem! Good choice of narrator.
October 2, 2023
I have been a fan of The Blues Brothers since it hit theaters. In my opinion, it remains one of the best movies of the 1980's. I was aware that the characters were created on Saturday Night Live and that was all I really knew about how the film came to be. Looking back now, I guess I just assumed that it was something that Lorne Michaels gave his blessing to like Wayne's World or the Coneheads movies. That wasn't necessarily the case. As a matter of fact, it was quite a fight just to get the characters on the air!
As I dove into this book, I learned the backstories of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. It was interesting to walk along side them on the road as they rose to fame. I also loved reading about the other now famous names that they worked with prior to coming together at SNL, how they landed their gigs at 30 Rock, and the idea that eventually became The Blues Brothers.
The book does a fine job of also giving readers a look at the personal lives of Belushi and Aykroyd. It was hard to read about the struggles that Belushi had with drugs. I was unaware of the steps that he had taken to try to break free from them. Sadly, we all know that he eventually succumbed to them.
Making a movie is certainly not an easy thing. Throughout this book, you will learn how an idea led to a huge script that had to be cut down, how the amazing musicians were put together, and how many of the great R&B singers came to be a part of the film.
Blues Brothers fans will love this because of the familiar stories and the ones they haven't heard. There is a good mixture of both. There were plenty of stories in the book that will make me watch particular scenes in the film a bit more closely because of things it revealed.
I truly enjoyed the book and will be rushing out to get a hard copy of it when it is available March 19, 2024. You can preorder it on Amazon now if you wish.
I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this before it was published. I look forward to my next read!
As I dove into this book, I learned the backstories of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. It was interesting to walk along side them on the road as they rose to fame. I also loved reading about the other now famous names that they worked with prior to coming together at SNL, how they landed their gigs at 30 Rock, and the idea that eventually became The Blues Brothers.
The book does a fine job of also giving readers a look at the personal lives of Belushi and Aykroyd. It was hard to read about the struggles that Belushi had with drugs. I was unaware of the steps that he had taken to try to break free from them. Sadly, we all know that he eventually succumbed to them.
Making a movie is certainly not an easy thing. Throughout this book, you will learn how an idea led to a huge script that had to be cut down, how the amazing musicians were put together, and how many of the great R&B singers came to be a part of the film.
Blues Brothers fans will love this because of the familiar stories and the ones they haven't heard. There is a good mixture of both. There were plenty of stories in the book that will make me watch particular scenes in the film a bit more closely because of things it revealed.
I truly enjoyed the book and will be rushing out to get a hard copy of it when it is available March 19, 2024. You can preorder it on Amazon now if you wish.
I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this before it was published. I look forward to my next read!
March 4, 2024
This review is for the audiobook version which I gained early access to through NetGalley and Dreamscape Media. #TheBluesBrothers #NetGalley
The Blues Brothers were on a mission from God to save the orphanage where they grew up. The movie was on a mission from Aykroyd to introduce us to great music and musicians. De Visé's mission is to tell us how one man's obsession with the blues and law enforcement and friendship/partnership with Belushi led to the duo performing as Joliet Jake and Elwood, recording an album, opening for Steve Martin, getting the band together again, making a movie and eventually creating a brand.
The book includes a lot of details about Belushi's and Aykroyd's time at Second City, National Lampoon and SNL, including costars, girlfriends and nemeses. Much of that information has been available in various books and documentaries, but what I found myself stopping what I was doing to pay close attention to was the story about how they came to film in Chicago. There was an unspoken ban on filming officially in the Windy City until The Blues Brothers came along. Because of Aykroyd, Belushi and Landis, it's understood that that is why we have so many other memorable films where the city basically is its own unspoken character. The book also goes into detail about what went on behind the scenes: editing, cinematography, costumes, location scouting, hiring extras (and the drama),dealing with the unions and avoiding working with county officials and finally the opening and promotion of the movie and its legacy.
Narrator Johnny Heller does a great Belushi and a fine job with the others' voices.
There are places where the editing is obvious because the voice sounds different but not intentionally. It's distracting, but it doesn't takeaway from the story.
The Blues Brothers were on a mission from God to save the orphanage where they grew up. The movie was on a mission from Aykroyd to introduce us to great music and musicians. De Visé's mission is to tell us how one man's obsession with the blues and law enforcement and friendship/partnership with Belushi led to the duo performing as Joliet Jake and Elwood, recording an album, opening for Steve Martin, getting the band together again, making a movie and eventually creating a brand.
The book includes a lot of details about Belushi's and Aykroyd's time at Second City, National Lampoon and SNL, including costars, girlfriends and nemeses. Much of that information has been available in various books and documentaries, but what I found myself stopping what I was doing to pay close attention to was the story about how they came to film in Chicago. There was an unspoken ban on filming officially in the Windy City until The Blues Brothers came along. Because of Aykroyd, Belushi and Landis, it's understood that that is why we have so many other memorable films where the city basically is its own unspoken character. The book also goes into detail about what went on behind the scenes: editing, cinematography, costumes, location scouting, hiring extras (and the drama),dealing with the unions and avoiding working with county officials and finally the opening and promotion of the movie and its legacy.
Narrator Johnny Heller does a great Belushi and a fine job with the others' voices.
There are places where the editing is obvious because the voice sounds different but not intentionally. It's distracting, but it doesn't takeaway from the story.
March 14, 2024
cently my library coworkers were planning a new film series--monthly afternoon musicals. We each picked our favourites and I said The Blues Brothers--no hesitation. I love this movie so maybe I can't be objective about the book. Anyway, here goes...
I liked this book alot but I was expecting a bit more focus on the movie. Roughly the first 40% is about the history of comedy and detailed biographies of John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Lorne Michaels. It was fascinating information just not what I was expecting. I should have paid more attention to the subtitle which clearly identifies that these subjects will be covered.
The book made me laugh and broke my heart. I've read a number of books about John Belushi and the chaos of Saturday Night Live's early days but this book had a different perspective. It showed Belushi's wild creativity and great capacity for joy. It also showed how much he was loved by those in his life who tried desperately to keep him away from the drugs that killed him. Belushi's own desire to stop his destructive behaviour and his tragic inability to do so makes the book a devastating read.
I will recommend this book to people like me who love this crazy movie!
I liked this book alot but I was expecting a bit more focus on the movie. Roughly the first 40% is about the history of comedy and detailed biographies of John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Lorne Michaels. It was fascinating information just not what I was expecting. I should have paid more attention to the subtitle which clearly identifies that these subjects will be covered.
The book made me laugh and broke my heart. I've read a number of books about John Belushi and the chaos of Saturday Night Live's early days but this book had a different perspective. It showed Belushi's wild creativity and great capacity for joy. It also showed how much he was loved by those in his life who tried desperately to keep him away from the drugs that killed him. Belushi's own desire to stop his destructive behaviour and his tragic inability to do so makes the book a devastating read.
I will recommend this book to people like me who love this crazy movie!
August 28, 2023
Just from the title alone, this book contains tons of information and could have made separate biographies. The first half of the book covers mostly John Belushi’s early life and when he began his drug habit. The reader is taken down the career path where John meets Dan Aykroyd; both comedians overlapping and performing with The Second City Chicago comedy company. The book highlights their work in SNL, as well as other members of the show, writer Lorne Michaels, and writer/director John Landis and his comedies. The second half of the book focuses on the Belushi and Aykroyd relationship, Belushi’s excessive drug use, and the making of The Blues Brothers.
This is a good dense read and I recommend purchasing the book, not the e-book for allowing you to flip through the table of contents, footnotes, and just going back to something previously mentioned as the writer goes down the rabbit hole to bring the entire backstory.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the e-Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic by Daniel de Visé.
@groveatlantic
@NetGalley
This is a good dense read and I recommend purchasing the book, not the e-book for allowing you to flip through the table of contents, footnotes, and just going back to something previously mentioned as the writer goes down the rabbit hole to bring the entire backstory.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the e-Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic by Daniel de Visé.
@groveatlantic
@NetGalley
September 9, 2023
Some of my best memories of my youth come from The Blues Brothers. Watching them play on SNL, the movie and the many many many quotes that came from it. “Do you have this in Miss Piggy?” Or “We’re on a mission from God”
Add to that that I live in Chicago, and this book had huge expectations for me. It met them!
This isn’t just a “making of a movie” book, it’s a book about John, and Dan, and the way they came together to be comedy brothers and then make this fantastic film.
Due to John’s life, I knew a lot about it, but I didn’t know much about Dan and this filled in a lot of questions I’d had. I learned a lot about both of them and how all of it came together.
Well researched, well written, and tons of gossipy details! This one is a lot of fun and, again, being from Chicago, I know a few people who will be finding this in their stocking.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are mine.
Add to that that I live in Chicago, and this book had huge expectations for me. It met them!
This isn’t just a “making of a movie” book, it’s a book about John, and Dan, and the way they came together to be comedy brothers and then make this fantastic film.
Due to John’s life, I knew a lot about it, but I didn’t know much about Dan and this filled in a lot of questions I’d had. I learned a lot about both of them and how all of it came together.
Well researched, well written, and tons of gossipy details! This one is a lot of fun and, again, being from Chicago, I know a few people who will be finding this in their stocking.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are mine.
February 5, 2024
This book is so interesting! The Blues Brothers are back!
As a comedy fan, following the stories of two heavy-hitters as they become The Blues Brothers was incredibly entertaining to read. It was clearly well-researched, with a lot of direct quotes and insight from those in the orbit of the film. I do think it ends a bit slow: the pacing is consistent until Belushi’s passing and then kind of abruptly stops.
It also kind of made me hate John Belushi, a guy who was a complete dick to everyone and they all were content to overlook it just because he was funny. It does made me want to check out his other work though, so maybe I don’t completely hate him.
Overall this books like a labor of love, from a comedy fan to comedy fans who want a peek behind the curtain of how films get made.
Thank you to NetGalley, Daniel de Visé, and Grove Atlantic for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
As a comedy fan, following the stories of two heavy-hitters as they become The Blues Brothers was incredibly entertaining to read. It was clearly well-researched, with a lot of direct quotes and insight from those in the orbit of the film. I do think it ends a bit slow: the pacing is consistent until Belushi’s passing and then kind of abruptly stops.
It also kind of made me hate John Belushi, a guy who was a complete dick to everyone and they all were content to overlook it just because he was funny. It does made me want to check out his other work though, so maybe I don’t completely hate him.
Overall this books like a labor of love, from a comedy fan to comedy fans who want a peek behind the curtain of how films get made.
Thank you to NetGalley, Daniel de Visé, and Grove Atlantic for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2024
This history of The Blues Brothers is at least the third book that attempts to justify claims of classic status for movie comedies released in 1980...the others dealt with Caddyshack and Airplane. For me, Used Cars was a better, funnier film from that year. I remember The Blues Brothers as a deadpan film that rewarded multiple viewings back in 1980 but hasn't aged as well in the years since. If you've read anything about John Belushi in the years since his death, nothing in this new book will surprise you. More enjoyable are the sections of the book about Dan Aykroyd, who is one of the great sketch comedians of all time, but one who hasn't garnered the same level of attention as Belushi. If you've read nothing about the movie or these talents, here's a good place to start.
September 7, 2023
"The Blues Brothers" by Daniel de Visé is an enjoyable, and at times heart-breaking, look at the creation of the Brothers themselves to the timeless film. de Vise does not write this through the eye of a gossip reporter. He tells the story as it happened. He relates Belushi's drug habit without judgement but makes it clear how horrific this problem was. The reader gets insight into the film making process in the 1970's as well. Reading how some of the memorable scenes were created brings a smile too. One can't help but get angry at how producers like Lorne Michaels enabled the drug scene that killed Belushi. de Vise makes it clear there was a lot of enablement. This is a great read for fans and non-films of the movie or of Belushi and Ackroyd. Thanks to #Netgalley and #groveatlantic and #atlanticmonthlypress for the opportunity to preview this book.
April 7, 2024
This was definitely a "smart alecky white guy gets the babes" time period, showcased also in the massive hit Animal House, and if that isn't your kind of thing, then steer clear. But if you have fond memories of early SNL, or you just like reading about Hollywood and clever, drugged-up celebrities (count me the later), then definitely pick this up.
April 1, 2024
This was very entertaining and depressing. John Belushi was a one of a kind entertainer. Drugs took him way too soon.
April 13, 2024
I can't accurately describe what the Blues Brothers music and movie has meant to me over the years. I have always loved John Belushi and respected Dan Aykroyd. Some of the details in this book made me smile, others made me cry. IYKYK!! ❤️
April 13, 2024
This is a great book. In addition to the biographies of John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd from childhood on, the readers get an exciting history of the individuals from National Lampoon, Second City, and, eventually Saturday Night Live that spearheaded a ton of great comedy through the last quarter of the 20th century.
April 11, 2024
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: I’M ON A MISSION FROM GAAADDD… TO WRITE A CLASSIC REVIEW ON THE BLUES BROTHERS!
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The Blues Brothers movie is one of my favorite movies of all-time… but this book is way more inclusive than the movie itself. The writer… Daniel De Vise’ has done a yeoman’s job in presenting a valuable… and entertaining… literary gift… to both Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi fans… as well… as the currently uninformed people who want to learn about these talented and troubled artists… and forces of comedic… and musical… nature… that absolutely dominated the world of entertainment in the late 1970’s… and early 1980’s. The role and characters these two geniuses… and in Belushi’s case… he was a terribly damaged genius… just like many artists… throughout the annals of time… he was abundantly self-destructive… and his out of control drug use led to his death on March 5, 1982 at the age of thirty-three years old.
Dan and John’s Blues Brother characters… ELWOOD AND JAKE BLUES… were so creative… unique… and entertaining… that their story has been passed down… in my case… from Father… to son… to Grandchildren… and for the remainder of this review… I will address them… solely as JAKE (BELUSHI) AND ELWOOD (AYKROYD)!
One of the many highlights of this book… is that as it goes way back in time… Jake and Elwood’s childhood and family life... as the author examines each individual…he does it in totally separate chapters… as the one being discussed… is totally unrelated to the other… as their background and environments… Elwood in Canada… and Jake in Chicago… though totally different… ethnicities… immediate family differences… different countries… the reader starts noticing… the individual changes… that somehow start showing very similar… deeply entrenched character traits. Jake is a talented high school football player… gets absorbed into drama-acting-imitations… while Elwood… is enrolled in the priesthood… and starts doing imitations of everything from his teachers… to famous stars… and love for the blues… and very near… an addiction to crime and danger. (he also develops a near photographic memory… regarding weapons and car parts.)
As they both start to get involved simultaneously… though unrelated… almost mystically… in two separate countries… to” improv”… the cast of characters they both become involved with… in many cases… come back to reunite with both of them down the road. Just a sampling of the long list of future successful… comedic actors… and musicians… Gilda Radner… Martin Short… Chevy Chase… Eugene Levy… Paul Shaffer… Dave Thomas… Joe Flaherty…Harold Ramis… Brian and Bill Murray… Catherine O’Hara… Andrea Martin… and untold others…
And then from National Lampoon… Second City… and on to Saturday Night Live… and a tsunami of drugs… and addiction and fame… led by Lorne Michaels (REAL NAME LORNE DAVID LIPOWITZ)… drugs of all types… from acid to cocaine… and everything in between.. permeated everything from every Saturday Night Live office… to every haunt twenty-four hours per day seven days per week!
As “THE-BOYS” success and mayhem… made Saturday Night Live… an absolute must-see event… for mainly the young adult demographic… and it was so successful and hilarious… it’s hard to believe that the product of Saturday Night Live… when they and others such as Chevy Chase left… that there has been nary a laugh produced on that totally dead and misguided show in over thirty-years!
As our “heroes” start to break out in other entertainment avenues… Jake gets a role in the movie Animal House… and he absolutely steals the show. Nation leading attendance figures break out… and the future for Jake… and simultaneously… if possible… Jake’s drug intake explodes to even higher levels. In addition to money and fame… Animal House provided another touchstone that further fuels future Blues Brothers success… and that is the teaming up with director John Landis. Landis was not only the perfect director… he was also… perhaps… the only director… psychologically… created… to handle this dream/nightmare… talent?!
In my opinion… the most important… and captivating character in this book… other than Jake and Elwood… is John Landis! The detailed descriptions and storytelling… regarding record braking totals of cars being destroyed… Chicago roads… buildings… air space… and anything else in the way of filming the Blues Brothers… that needed to be blocked… or invaded… including Chicago politicians… is unequivocally mind-blowing. The amounts of real cops used and paid… as the constantly escalating budget… expands like a mushroom “Cloud” at Hiroshima!
Landis and other crew members on the Blues Brother movie… share untold stories… and secrets… on everything from drugs… to how the otherworldly stunts and car crashes were performed. As any person who’s viewed this classic flick… knows there’s almost non-stop car crashes. Did you ever wonder how car after car… not only goes flying through the air… and in addition to “flying”… they seem to be spinning as if they were exhaled from a giant blender? Well here’s how they did it!
“THE L TRACK CHASE ENDS IN AN EPIC PILEUP. THE BLUESMOBILE HITS A STOPPED CRUISER. MORE COP CARS HURTLE INTO THE SCENE, CRASHING INTO EACH OTHER, FLIPPING DRAMATICALLY AND LAUNCHING OFF ONE ANOTHER. WE HAD TO GET PERMISSION FROM THE CITY TO DRILL HOLES IN THEIR STREETS SO PIPE RAMPS COULD BE BOLTED INTO THE STREET. THE PIPE-RAMP, A PIECE OF STUNT-CAR TECHNOLOGY, FLIPPED A CAR ON ITS AXIS IF HIT AT THE RIGHT ANGLE. THE RAMP WORKED SO WELL THAT THE FINISHED SCENE SHOWS CARS ENTERING THE FRAME ALREADY AIRBORNE AND UPSIDE DOWN. FILM-GOERS HAD NEVER SEEN THE LIKE.”
Its shared gems like this… that is the icing on the cake… for this superb tinsel town tale!
The author also mentions a number of times… and rightfully so… that a lot of the media…wrongfully… tried to paint a racist tone… on the fact that the Blues Brothers starred two white guys… and had innumerable black Blues personalities as secondary figures. There is nothing further from the truth. I happen to be a lifelong… fervent aficionado of the electric blues… and the inclusion of such stars as… Ray Charles… Aretha Franklin… John Lee Hooker… James Brown… Cab Calloway… and many others… including the Blues Brothers band… LITERALLY RE-BOOTED ALL THEIR CAREERS AND POPULARITY! In fact this whole movie was inspired and created due to Elwood’s lifetime love of the Blues… and his wanting to increase and spread the popularity of the Blues and its historical legendary performers. And Elwood succeeded ten-fold!
The author… is able to maintain a writing style… that should be applauded… as he is able to accomplish… some very artistic literary goals… without ever losing momentum… chronology… or sharing many insightful facts and stories… heretofore… not available to the general public… at least not all in one place… and it always being… educational AND entertaining!
PERSONAL NOTE: As I grew up in North Hollywood/ Studio City… which is right near the Universal lot and Warner Brothers… Republic Studios… my brother worked in the entertainment business for over thirty-five years as a set-painter supervisor. One day he told me… while the Blues Brothers was being filmed… he was walking between buildings and bumped into Elwood (Aykroyd)… and said “HEY ELWOOD… WHERE’S JAKE??” ELWOOD SAID: “HE’S IN A SLEEP… A DEEP… DEEP… SLEEP!” This family story was more than verified in this book… as not only were stories authenticated about Jake passing out from drug use in his trailer… but also of one story where he simply walked out of the studio lot… walked down the street… knocked on the door of a stranger’s house… walked inside… went to the refrigerator… took something out to eat… and passed out on the strangers couch!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Blues Brothers movie is one of my favorite movies of all-time… but this book is way more inclusive than the movie itself. The writer… Daniel De Vise’ has done a yeoman’s job in presenting a valuable… and entertaining… literary gift… to both Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi fans… as well… as the currently uninformed people who want to learn about these talented and troubled artists… and forces of comedic… and musical… nature… that absolutely dominated the world of entertainment in the late 1970’s… and early 1980’s. The role and characters these two geniuses… and in Belushi’s case… he was a terribly damaged genius… just like many artists… throughout the annals of time… he was abundantly self-destructive… and his out of control drug use led to his death on March 5, 1982 at the age of thirty-three years old.
Dan and John’s Blues Brother characters… ELWOOD AND JAKE BLUES… were so creative… unique… and entertaining… that their story has been passed down… in my case… from Father… to son… to Grandchildren… and for the remainder of this review… I will address them… solely as JAKE (BELUSHI) AND ELWOOD (AYKROYD)!
One of the many highlights of this book… is that as it goes way back in time… Jake and Elwood’s childhood and family life... as the author examines each individual…he does it in totally separate chapters… as the one being discussed… is totally unrelated to the other… as their background and environments… Elwood in Canada… and Jake in Chicago… though totally different… ethnicities… immediate family differences… different countries… the reader starts noticing… the individual changes… that somehow start showing very similar… deeply entrenched character traits. Jake is a talented high school football player… gets absorbed into drama-acting-imitations… while Elwood… is enrolled in the priesthood… and starts doing imitations of everything from his teachers… to famous stars… and love for the blues… and very near… an addiction to crime and danger. (he also develops a near photographic memory… regarding weapons and car parts.)
As they both start to get involved simultaneously… though unrelated… almost mystically… in two separate countries… to” improv”… the cast of characters they both become involved with… in many cases… come back to reunite with both of them down the road. Just a sampling of the long list of future successful… comedic actors… and musicians… Gilda Radner… Martin Short… Chevy Chase… Eugene Levy… Paul Shaffer… Dave Thomas… Joe Flaherty…Harold Ramis… Brian and Bill Murray… Catherine O’Hara… Andrea Martin… and untold others…
And then from National Lampoon… Second City… and on to Saturday Night Live… and a tsunami of drugs… and addiction and fame… led by Lorne Michaels (REAL NAME LORNE DAVID LIPOWITZ)… drugs of all types… from acid to cocaine… and everything in between.. permeated everything from every Saturday Night Live office… to every haunt twenty-four hours per day seven days per week!
As “THE-BOYS” success and mayhem… made Saturday Night Live… an absolute must-see event… for mainly the young adult demographic… and it was so successful and hilarious… it’s hard to believe that the product of Saturday Night Live… when they and others such as Chevy Chase left… that there has been nary a laugh produced on that totally dead and misguided show in over thirty-years!
As our “heroes” start to break out in other entertainment avenues… Jake gets a role in the movie Animal House… and he absolutely steals the show. Nation leading attendance figures break out… and the future for Jake… and simultaneously… if possible… Jake’s drug intake explodes to even higher levels. In addition to money and fame… Animal House provided another touchstone that further fuels future Blues Brothers success… and that is the teaming up with director John Landis. Landis was not only the perfect director… he was also… perhaps… the only director… psychologically… created… to handle this dream/nightmare… talent?!
In my opinion… the most important… and captivating character in this book… other than Jake and Elwood… is John Landis! The detailed descriptions and storytelling… regarding record braking totals of cars being destroyed… Chicago roads… buildings… air space… and anything else in the way of filming the Blues Brothers… that needed to be blocked… or invaded… including Chicago politicians… is unequivocally mind-blowing. The amounts of real cops used and paid… as the constantly escalating budget… expands like a mushroom “Cloud” at Hiroshima!
Landis and other crew members on the Blues Brother movie… share untold stories… and secrets… on everything from drugs… to how the otherworldly stunts and car crashes were performed. As any person who’s viewed this classic flick… knows there’s almost non-stop car crashes. Did you ever wonder how car after car… not only goes flying through the air… and in addition to “flying”… they seem to be spinning as if they were exhaled from a giant blender? Well here’s how they did it!
“THE L TRACK CHASE ENDS IN AN EPIC PILEUP. THE BLUESMOBILE HITS A STOPPED CRUISER. MORE COP CARS HURTLE INTO THE SCENE, CRASHING INTO EACH OTHER, FLIPPING DRAMATICALLY AND LAUNCHING OFF ONE ANOTHER. WE HAD TO GET PERMISSION FROM THE CITY TO DRILL HOLES IN THEIR STREETS SO PIPE RAMPS COULD BE BOLTED INTO THE STREET. THE PIPE-RAMP, A PIECE OF STUNT-CAR TECHNOLOGY, FLIPPED A CAR ON ITS AXIS IF HIT AT THE RIGHT ANGLE. THE RAMP WORKED SO WELL THAT THE FINISHED SCENE SHOWS CARS ENTERING THE FRAME ALREADY AIRBORNE AND UPSIDE DOWN. FILM-GOERS HAD NEVER SEEN THE LIKE.”
Its shared gems like this… that is the icing on the cake… for this superb tinsel town tale!
The author also mentions a number of times… and rightfully so… that a lot of the media…wrongfully… tried to paint a racist tone… on the fact that the Blues Brothers starred two white guys… and had innumerable black Blues personalities as secondary figures. There is nothing further from the truth. I happen to be a lifelong… fervent aficionado of the electric blues… and the inclusion of such stars as… Ray Charles… Aretha Franklin… John Lee Hooker… James Brown… Cab Calloway… and many others… including the Blues Brothers band… LITERALLY RE-BOOTED ALL THEIR CAREERS AND POPULARITY! In fact this whole movie was inspired and created due to Elwood’s lifetime love of the Blues… and his wanting to increase and spread the popularity of the Blues and its historical legendary performers. And Elwood succeeded ten-fold!
The author… is able to maintain a writing style… that should be applauded… as he is able to accomplish… some very artistic literary goals… without ever losing momentum… chronology… or sharing many insightful facts and stories… heretofore… not available to the general public… at least not all in one place… and it always being… educational AND entertaining!
PERSONAL NOTE: As I grew up in North Hollywood/ Studio City… which is right near the Universal lot and Warner Brothers… Republic Studios… my brother worked in the entertainment business for over thirty-five years as a set-painter supervisor. One day he told me… while the Blues Brothers was being filmed… he was walking between buildings and bumped into Elwood (Aykroyd)… and said “HEY ELWOOD… WHERE’S JAKE??” ELWOOD SAID: “HE’S IN A SLEEP… A DEEP… DEEP… SLEEP!” This family story was more than verified in this book… as not only were stories authenticated about Jake passing out from drug use in his trailer… but also of one story where he simply walked out of the studio lot… walked down the street… knocked on the door of a stranger’s house… walked inside… went to the refrigerator… took something out to eat… and passed out on the strangers couch!
April 14, 2024
Not only is THE BLUES BROTHERS a comprehensive exploration of the fictional blues singers Jake and Elwood Blues, it’s also a fascinating look at the careers of its portrayers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Daniel de Visé gives us so much to savor in this book, especially when it comes to his treatment of the late, great Belushi. It is sobering to see how everyone within his orbit during his meteoric rise knew that he was going to flame out shortly. But what a ride it was!
The history is taken chronologically, which I love when we are dealing with such a lengthy period of time. However, the Prologue opens with the moment the world meets Jake and Elwood. It was on April 22, 1978, during the third season of “Saturday Night Live.” The opening sketch started with Paul Shaffer doing his Don Kirschner impression as he introduced the two Ray-Ban sunglasses-wearing, black-suited brothers from Joliet, Illinois. At first, the audience didn’t know what to make of it. Was it a comic bit or not? Their first song, “Hey Bartender,” was backed by a professional-sounding band, and the boys brought it home. The Blues Brothers were born!
John Belushi’s quick wit and knack for improv comedy put him on the map and launched a career that began with the Second City troupe in Chicago. His time there even found him visiting the start-up branch in Toronto, which is where he met Dan Aykroyd. He then did his Joe Cocker impersonation for the off-Broadway show “Lemmings,” which also starred Chevy Chase and Christopher Guest. He loved New York City and caught the eye of NBC producer Lorne Michaels, who was putting together a cast for a late-night sketch comedy show. His first hire was Gilda Radner, also an alumnus from Second City Toronto, followed by Belushi and (thanks to Belushi’s recommendation) Aykroyd.
Even though Aykroyd’s journey was different coming from Canada, he and Belushi hit it off right away like kismet. Soon they found themselves in competition with Chase for the spotlight on “SNL” during an inaugural season where none of them thought there would be a second.
Belushi hated doing the recurring Bees sketch, but it was suggested that he turn it into a rock number with a band of bee-costumed musicians as they performed “I’m a King Bee.” It was a hit, and it got Belushi and Aykroyd thinking about the characters they had created on a lark: Jake and Elwood Blues. This brings us to the moment depicted in the Prologue when The Blue Brothers made their triumphant debut on “SNL.” It helped launch the careers of Belushi and Aykroyd in music and film, and eventually led to their departure from the show for Hollywood.
Belushi already had found much success with Animal House and was signed on for the Steven Spielberg film 1941, where he also got Aykroyd and John Candy small roles. Although it bombed at the box office, Belushi and Aykroyd were inspired to write a script for a Blues Brothers movie. It took a long time to move from concept to screen, and the stories about the John Landis-directed film are legendary. The numerous cameos included Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, John Lee Hooker and Cab Calloway. The Blues Band was made up of some of the best musicians out there, including legendary blues/rock guitarists Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn.
The movie was overblown, overlong and overbudget, and some screen tests said that it was too muddled and “too black” for a white audience. Belushi and Aykroyd scoffed at the criticism and stuck to their guns. Thirty minutes were trimmed from the director’s cut, and The Blues Brothers became one of the highest grossing pictures of 1980. It is still considered a cult classic with some of the best music, comedy and stunts/car chases ever recorded on film.
As much fun as this book is, it’s like watching Titanic. You’re enjoying it so much that you almost forget about the tragic ending. On March 5, 1982, John Belushi died from a drug overdose at the age of 33. Even with this morose bit that needs to be experienced to truly appreciate their legacy, THE BLUES BROTHERS is a pleasure to behold and is expertly researched by De Visé. So step back in time to what many people consider a better, more innocent, fun-loving age and immerse yourself with the legends known as The Blues Brothers. Hit it!
Reviewed by Ray Palen
The history is taken chronologically, which I love when we are dealing with such a lengthy period of time. However, the Prologue opens with the moment the world meets Jake and Elwood. It was on April 22, 1978, during the third season of “Saturday Night Live.” The opening sketch started with Paul Shaffer doing his Don Kirschner impression as he introduced the two Ray-Ban sunglasses-wearing, black-suited brothers from Joliet, Illinois. At first, the audience didn’t know what to make of it. Was it a comic bit or not? Their first song, “Hey Bartender,” was backed by a professional-sounding band, and the boys brought it home. The Blues Brothers were born!
John Belushi’s quick wit and knack for improv comedy put him on the map and launched a career that began with the Second City troupe in Chicago. His time there even found him visiting the start-up branch in Toronto, which is where he met Dan Aykroyd. He then did his Joe Cocker impersonation for the off-Broadway show “Lemmings,” which also starred Chevy Chase and Christopher Guest. He loved New York City and caught the eye of NBC producer Lorne Michaels, who was putting together a cast for a late-night sketch comedy show. His first hire was Gilda Radner, also an alumnus from Second City Toronto, followed by Belushi and (thanks to Belushi’s recommendation) Aykroyd.
Even though Aykroyd’s journey was different coming from Canada, he and Belushi hit it off right away like kismet. Soon they found themselves in competition with Chase for the spotlight on “SNL” during an inaugural season where none of them thought there would be a second.
Belushi hated doing the recurring Bees sketch, but it was suggested that he turn it into a rock number with a band of bee-costumed musicians as they performed “I’m a King Bee.” It was a hit, and it got Belushi and Aykroyd thinking about the characters they had created on a lark: Jake and Elwood Blues. This brings us to the moment depicted in the Prologue when The Blue Brothers made their triumphant debut on “SNL.” It helped launch the careers of Belushi and Aykroyd in music and film, and eventually led to their departure from the show for Hollywood.
Belushi already had found much success with Animal House and was signed on for the Steven Spielberg film 1941, where he also got Aykroyd and John Candy small roles. Although it bombed at the box office, Belushi and Aykroyd were inspired to write a script for a Blues Brothers movie. It took a long time to move from concept to screen, and the stories about the John Landis-directed film are legendary. The numerous cameos included Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, John Lee Hooker and Cab Calloway. The Blues Band was made up of some of the best musicians out there, including legendary blues/rock guitarists Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn.
The movie was overblown, overlong and overbudget, and some screen tests said that it was too muddled and “too black” for a white audience. Belushi and Aykroyd scoffed at the criticism and stuck to their guns. Thirty minutes were trimmed from the director’s cut, and The Blues Brothers became one of the highest grossing pictures of 1980. It is still considered a cult classic with some of the best music, comedy and stunts/car chases ever recorded on film.
As much fun as this book is, it’s like watching Titanic. You’re enjoying it so much that you almost forget about the tragic ending. On March 5, 1982, John Belushi died from a drug overdose at the age of 33. Even with this morose bit that needs to be experienced to truly appreciate their legacy, THE BLUES BROTHERS is a pleasure to behold and is expertly researched by De Visé. So step back in time to what many people consider a better, more innocent, fun-loving age and immerse yourself with the legends known as The Blues Brothers. Hit it!
Reviewed by Ray Palen
January 20, 2024
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Grove Atlantic for an advance copy of this new book about a musical duo who might have started to fill some time on a live show, but became something much bigger, much more important, and changed quite a few careers.
My father loved to laugh. My father also loved jazz and the blues. He also worked nights, so late night television was his best friend when he had days off and he couldn't get used to sleeping at night. I was usually drafted to watch television with him. I know we watched Saturday Night Live, and Fridays, and after getting illegal cable everything that probably a boy under ten shouldn't be watching. That brings us to The Blues Brothers Movie, premiering on cable. I remember Dad saying, "I read they crashed a lot of cars", and the movie began. And I loved it. Well it was too long, and some stuff went over my head. I really remember the music. And making Nazis miserable. And the car crashes. We went to Caldor's the next day and I got the soundtrack, on vinyl, and for some reason the Blues Brothers album on cassette. One I still have, the other lost to time. I loved both those guys. They seemed to be having fun. Making music, crashing cars what a life I thought. Though the price of this life was too much for one, as we soon learned. The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic by writer and journalist Daniel de Visé is a look at the creation of The Blues Brothers, and the varied events in music, television, stage, culture and more that came together to anoint these men on their mission from God.
The book begins with a look at both men. John Belushi was born in Chicago of Albanian parents, whose parenting skills were lacking in many ways. John was a smart kid, who didn't want to show it, sports was his outlet, as well as his escape from his family. John, however had an artistic side, which combined with a need to be the center of attention drove him to try acting. John had a drive to win, but he also had a drive for self-sabotage, something that followed him in life. Dan Aykroyd was born in Canada, of successful parents, with an almost photographic memory, a love for facts, and a lot of tics. The world of entertainment drew Aykroyd, and his lack of wanting to be in the spotlight, as well as his ability to write made him in demand in the world of improv. Here John and Aykroyd came together, becoming fast friends, than soul mates, than writing partners. First on the new show Saturday Night, and later with Aykroyd taking over the writing in movies. An idea for a band, singing Chicago blues hit them one night, expanded, and soon became a phenomenon, and a movie. And for many a career changing event.
Another great book from Daniel de Visé. If one has not read de Visé's book on B. B. King, buy both these books together and have a great week of reading. This look at The Blues Brothers is so much more than just about two men. de Visé looks at the changing world of comedy, the out with the older generation in with the new. The control that Chicago Improv had on comedy during the 70's and 80's. Blues music, and how the genre was almost dying in many ways until two white guys began to sing with a great backing band. And much more. Changes in television, the movie industry, even music. de Visé has a real gift in being able to write about all the subjects in a way that makes everything clear. Plus the research, the interviews really give a sense of the times, the people, and the waste of good people dying so early. I knew I would like this book, but each page had something interesting, something new, or a different way of looking at events. The narrative never lags, never canonizes certain people, or drags others. A wonderful book for a lot of people.
Recommended for fans of comedy of course. The behind the scenes movie stuff was interesting, as well as the behind the scenes music, so media history reader will definitely like this. A whole lot of fun, complete with a soundtrack to play while reading.
My father loved to laugh. My father also loved jazz and the blues. He also worked nights, so late night television was his best friend when he had days off and he couldn't get used to sleeping at night. I was usually drafted to watch television with him. I know we watched Saturday Night Live, and Fridays, and after getting illegal cable everything that probably a boy under ten shouldn't be watching. That brings us to The Blues Brothers Movie, premiering on cable. I remember Dad saying, "I read they crashed a lot of cars", and the movie began. And I loved it. Well it was too long, and some stuff went over my head. I really remember the music. And making Nazis miserable. And the car crashes. We went to Caldor's the next day and I got the soundtrack, on vinyl, and for some reason the Blues Brothers album on cassette. One I still have, the other lost to time. I loved both those guys. They seemed to be having fun. Making music, crashing cars what a life I thought. Though the price of this life was too much for one, as we soon learned. The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic by writer and journalist Daniel de Visé is a look at the creation of The Blues Brothers, and the varied events in music, television, stage, culture and more that came together to anoint these men on their mission from God.
The book begins with a look at both men. John Belushi was born in Chicago of Albanian parents, whose parenting skills were lacking in many ways. John was a smart kid, who didn't want to show it, sports was his outlet, as well as his escape from his family. John, however had an artistic side, which combined with a need to be the center of attention drove him to try acting. John had a drive to win, but he also had a drive for self-sabotage, something that followed him in life. Dan Aykroyd was born in Canada, of successful parents, with an almost photographic memory, a love for facts, and a lot of tics. The world of entertainment drew Aykroyd, and his lack of wanting to be in the spotlight, as well as his ability to write made him in demand in the world of improv. Here John and Aykroyd came together, becoming fast friends, than soul mates, than writing partners. First on the new show Saturday Night, and later with Aykroyd taking over the writing in movies. An idea for a band, singing Chicago blues hit them one night, expanded, and soon became a phenomenon, and a movie. And for many a career changing event.
Another great book from Daniel de Visé. If one has not read de Visé's book on B. B. King, buy both these books together and have a great week of reading. This look at The Blues Brothers is so much more than just about two men. de Visé looks at the changing world of comedy, the out with the older generation in with the new. The control that Chicago Improv had on comedy during the 70's and 80's. Blues music, and how the genre was almost dying in many ways until two white guys began to sing with a great backing band. And much more. Changes in television, the movie industry, even music. de Visé has a real gift in being able to write about all the subjects in a way that makes everything clear. Plus the research, the interviews really give a sense of the times, the people, and the waste of good people dying so early. I knew I would like this book, but each page had something interesting, something new, or a different way of looking at events. The narrative never lags, never canonizes certain people, or drags others. A wonderful book for a lot of people.
Recommended for fans of comedy of course. The behind the scenes movie stuff was interesting, as well as the behind the scenes music, so media history reader will definitely like this. A whole lot of fun, complete with a soundtrack to play while reading.
March 19, 2024
It was April 22, 1978 when Paul Schaffer introduced The Blues Brothers as that week’s musical guest on Saturday Night Live. The Blues Brothers themselves — John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd — weren’t new to SNL. They were part of the original cast when the show started three years before. But this was the debut of their newest sketch: a real, yet not-so-real blues band.
It was Belushi and Aykroyd’s talent, friendship, and partnership that brought them to the stage that night — and led the way to them shooting the iconic movie, “The Blues Brothers”, just over a year later.
It’s a moment in history you’ll rush to YouTube to see. That is, once you read the attention-snagging prologue to Daniel De Visé’s new book, “The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, The Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic”. In fact, you’ll spend a lot of time on YouTube as you read the book, because no matter how big of a fan you are of the “The Blues Brothers” or its stars right now, De Visé is ready to make you an even greater one.
Exquisitely researched, intriguing, and full of history (and some humor), the book is both a biographical account of Belushi and Akroyd and a backstage pass to SNL, as well as “The Blues Brothers” movie. Author De Visé starts with Belushi’s childhood and early career in the first chapters before taking you with him to Canada where you’ll also get to know Belushi’s future best friend and partner, Dan Aykroyd.
By the time it’s over, you’ll witness the evolutions of Saturday Night Live, National Lampoon, and Chicago’s Second City group. You’ll be on set as “The Blues Brothers” is filmed and there when it opens to less than rip-roaring fanfare. The cult-favorite movie reinvented the careers of some of the great blues and R&B singers, such as Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, and James Brown. But at the time, half of theater owners refused to show it, because they said it had too many Black people. Others accused Belushi and Aykroyd of cultural appropriation.
De Visé provides intricate details and facts about the movie and its stars, but he tells a lot more too. He covers the rise of other stars who are household names today, such as Bill Murray and Chevy Chase. He doesn’t just mention SNL, National Lampoon, or Second City. He goes in-depth. There is so much information in the book that it could have been too overwhelming or too textbook-like to be a good read. Yet, De Visé organized the story and its facts in a way that the book reads like a compelling novel.
The history he provides is fascinating. The way he brings Belushi and Aykroyd to life on the page is captivating. At times, it seems like he focuses heavily on Belushi while skimming over Aykroyd’s contributions, but that’s not the case at all. Instead, it’s simply De Visé’s writing mirroring the way their friendship and partnership worked. Aykroyd preferred anonymity whereas Belushi’s larger-than-life presence took over the stage — and now the page.
This is the book you want to read if you are interested in knowing the inside story of the movie, its stars, SNL, improv — and the list goes on. Once you’re finished, you’ll be ready to watch the movie again, as well as other great flicks starring Belushi and Aykroyd. Thanks to De Visé, you will know them like never before, and you’ll have a new appreciation for their talent and their contributions to film and comedy today. I know I do. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a non-fiction book I enjoyed this much. I hated turning the last page because it meant it was over. Thank you to Daniel De Visé for that.
Thank you to Grove Atlantic, Rachael Richardson, and author Daniel De Visé for the complimentary ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
It was Belushi and Aykroyd’s talent, friendship, and partnership that brought them to the stage that night — and led the way to them shooting the iconic movie, “The Blues Brothers”, just over a year later.
It’s a moment in history you’ll rush to YouTube to see. That is, once you read the attention-snagging prologue to Daniel De Visé’s new book, “The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, The Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic”. In fact, you’ll spend a lot of time on YouTube as you read the book, because no matter how big of a fan you are of the “The Blues Brothers” or its stars right now, De Visé is ready to make you an even greater one.
Exquisitely researched, intriguing, and full of history (and some humor), the book is both a biographical account of Belushi and Akroyd and a backstage pass to SNL, as well as “The Blues Brothers” movie. Author De Visé starts with Belushi’s childhood and early career in the first chapters before taking you with him to Canada where you’ll also get to know Belushi’s future best friend and partner, Dan Aykroyd.
By the time it’s over, you’ll witness the evolutions of Saturday Night Live, National Lampoon, and Chicago’s Second City group. You’ll be on set as “The Blues Brothers” is filmed and there when it opens to less than rip-roaring fanfare. The cult-favorite movie reinvented the careers of some of the great blues and R&B singers, such as Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, and James Brown. But at the time, half of theater owners refused to show it, because they said it had too many Black people. Others accused Belushi and Aykroyd of cultural appropriation.
De Visé provides intricate details and facts about the movie and its stars, but he tells a lot more too. He covers the rise of other stars who are household names today, such as Bill Murray and Chevy Chase. He doesn’t just mention SNL, National Lampoon, or Second City. He goes in-depth. There is so much information in the book that it could have been too overwhelming or too textbook-like to be a good read. Yet, De Visé organized the story and its facts in a way that the book reads like a compelling novel.
The history he provides is fascinating. The way he brings Belushi and Aykroyd to life on the page is captivating. At times, it seems like he focuses heavily on Belushi while skimming over Aykroyd’s contributions, but that’s not the case at all. Instead, it’s simply De Visé’s writing mirroring the way their friendship and partnership worked. Aykroyd preferred anonymity whereas Belushi’s larger-than-life presence took over the stage — and now the page.
This is the book you want to read if you are interested in knowing the inside story of the movie, its stars, SNL, improv — and the list goes on. Once you’re finished, you’ll be ready to watch the movie again, as well as other great flicks starring Belushi and Aykroyd. Thanks to De Visé, you will know them like never before, and you’ll have a new appreciation for their talent and their contributions to film and comedy today. I know I do. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a non-fiction book I enjoyed this much. I hated turning the last page because it meant it was over. Thank you to Daniel De Visé for that.
Thank you to Grove Atlantic, Rachael Richardson, and author Daniel De Visé for the complimentary ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
August 27, 2023
While the book focuses in on the Blues Brothers, the blues tribute band headed up by John Belushi and Dan Akroyd at their apex of SNL fame in the late 70s—it spawned a hit album and movie that introduced legions of suburban SNL fans to R&B—it's also a good primer on the histories of both comedians as well as their time at SNL, and the genesis of SNL, as well as other comedy troupes, especially the places where SNL poached most of its talent: Chicago's Second City and National Lampoon's hit radio show.
I'm pretty sure that something similar—two white guys singing black R&B songs and getting a record/movie deal out of it—wouldn't happen today. It would be considered "cultural appropriation" by the younger generation, in which one is apparently only allowed to cover or have influences by artists of the same skin color. Never mind that R&B is a meld of blues, country, and even folk songs of the very white Scots/Brits/Irish. These days, everything is parsed by skin tone, and god forbid you "go out of your lane." Whatever that means.
Belushi and Akroyd were aware of the racism inherent in their being able to score a movie deal with black music—and aware of the charge of appropriation that was leveled even back then, when they started the gig as the warm-up band on SNL—and they appropriately stocked the movie with genuine R&B legends. Many of them were brought back from obscurity and had their careers revived and made a lot of money.
It's also a nice delve into the "opposites attract" friendship of Dan and John. John's vices would eventually kill him prematurely, and Dan would go onto even greater success with Ghostbusters and other movies that showcased his odd humor.
This was definitely a "smart alecky white guy gets the babes" time period, showcased also in the massive hit Animal House, and if that isn't your kind of thing, then steer clear. But if you have fond memories of early SNL, or you just like reading about Hollywood and clever, drugged-up celebrities (count me the later), then definitely pick this up.
I subtract a star for the forced-sounding wokeism that occasionally pokes through the pages. The most egregious being the author/publisher not even daring to say the "N word" (am I allowed to write that?) though it is simply quoting a famous sketch written by a black man, Richard Pryor. Such are these times.
I just reviewed The Blues Brothers by Daniel de Visé. #TheBluesBrothers #NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm pretty sure that something similar—two white guys singing black R&B songs and getting a record/movie deal out of it—wouldn't happen today. It would be considered "cultural appropriation" by the younger generation, in which one is apparently only allowed to cover or have influences by artists of the same skin color. Never mind that R&B is a meld of blues, country, and even folk songs of the very white Scots/Brits/Irish. These days, everything is parsed by skin tone, and god forbid you "go out of your lane." Whatever that means.
Belushi and Akroyd were aware of the racism inherent in their being able to score a movie deal with black music—and aware of the charge of appropriation that was leveled even back then, when they started the gig as the warm-up band on SNL—and they appropriately stocked the movie with genuine R&B legends. Many of them were brought back from obscurity and had their careers revived and made a lot of money.
It's also a nice delve into the "opposites attract" friendship of Dan and John. John's vices would eventually kill him prematurely, and Dan would go onto even greater success with Ghostbusters and other movies that showcased his odd humor.
This was definitely a "smart alecky white guy gets the babes" time period, showcased also in the massive hit Animal House, and if that isn't your kind of thing, then steer clear. But if you have fond memories of early SNL, or you just like reading about Hollywood and clever, drugged-up celebrities (count me the later), then definitely pick this up.
I subtract a star for the forced-sounding wokeism that occasionally pokes through the pages. The most egregious being the author/publisher not even daring to say the "N word" (am I allowed to write that?) though it is simply quoting a famous sketch written by a black man, Richard Pryor. Such are these times.
I just reviewed The Blues Brothers by Daniel de Visé. #TheBluesBrothers #NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2023
The Blues Brothers by Daniel de Visé is a wonderful look at a very specific time in popular culture by focusing on The Blues Brothers. From understanding the people behind the characters to the rise in the popularity of improv through the creation of the characters and the movie, this volume tells a story much larger than just the making of one movie.
Most readers who remember this time also know a fair amount of the stories about the key players, even though many of what we "know" may be false or overblown. What de Visé does is offer some fact-based background on Belushi and Ackroyd, as well as the world of improv comedy at the time, to show how a film like The Blues Brothers came to be, and how it has become such an iconic film.
I really appreciated the way what led to the making of the film was given sufficient space. Many books that use a film as a focal point for a bigger assessment spend so much time on the minutiae of the filmmaking itself that the cultural impact becomes secondary. Or they use sensationalistic stories and anecdotes to help sell the book. With the group of people involved in this story, some gossipy bits like that can't be ignored, they were part of what made the scene both appealing and, for some, less appealing. But the sensationalism is downplayed here in favor of looking at what resulted from them rather than wallow in them.
I did see one person who complained that the book spent time on things other than the movie. I don't understand the complaint, the title itself makes clear it is about "an epic friendship, the rise of improv, and the making of an American film classic." What about that title would make someone think it was just about the film? Oh well, a heads up, read the entire title before reading a book, and especially before whining about a book not being what it never set out to be.
I would certainly recommend this to fans of the movie as well as SNL fans. I also think anyone with an interest in popular culture more broadly will find a lot to enjoy here.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
Most readers who remember this time also know a fair amount of the stories about the key players, even though many of what we "know" may be false or overblown. What de Visé does is offer some fact-based background on Belushi and Ackroyd, as well as the world of improv comedy at the time, to show how a film like The Blues Brothers came to be, and how it has become such an iconic film.
I really appreciated the way what led to the making of the film was given sufficient space. Many books that use a film as a focal point for a bigger assessment spend so much time on the minutiae of the filmmaking itself that the cultural impact becomes secondary. Or they use sensationalistic stories and anecdotes to help sell the book. With the group of people involved in this story, some gossipy bits like that can't be ignored, they were part of what made the scene both appealing and, for some, less appealing. But the sensationalism is downplayed here in favor of looking at what resulted from them rather than wallow in them.
I did see one person who complained that the book spent time on things other than the movie. I don't understand the complaint, the title itself makes clear it is about "an epic friendship, the rise of improv, and the making of an American film classic." What about that title would make someone think it was just about the film? Oh well, a heads up, read the entire title before reading a book, and especially before whining about a book not being what it never set out to be.
I would certainly recommend this to fans of the movie as well as SNL fans. I also think anyone with an interest in popular culture more broadly will find a lot to enjoy here.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
April 10, 2024
The author's central thesis is convincing you The Blues Brothers was as
The author commemorates an abridged making-of Animal House (for for the zillionth time), but what he chooses to outline but say outright is most revealing, imo:
The hopelessly unfunny & compromising Universal executives insisted on gifting John Landis with directing duties (when either Harold Ramis or Ivan Reitman could have just as competently helmed their no-budget, least-liked project). Thereby launching a professionally mediocre (second unit-, at best) director's career into the stratosphere, if only for a short while; eventually dithering and fading into absolute mediocrity once all the genuine comedic talent (writers) unanimously acknowledged Landis was always terrible at (film) editing comedy -- much more adapt at car crashes and demolitions.
He capably glimpses The Blues Brothers' real importance while documenting its Pre-production process; only during the epilogue, author, de Visé (finally) reinforces TBB's genuine legendary status:
One of Chicago's great cinematic treasures (maybe the most significant by a non-resident at the helm?). Comprable to Hughes' Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) or Mann's Thief (1981), The Blues Brothers remains one of the most remarkable Musical/Road comedies to capture Downtown and surrounding Chicago Suburbs.
🎬 Funnyas Animal House (1978). When really, Blues Brothers (1980) isn't even in the same wheelhouse as National Lampoon's debut feature, á la Doug Kenny & Chris Miller vs. Dan Ackroyd & John Landis; much less, as Caddyshack; And is comedically closer to Neighbors (1981) (than anything else memorialized in de Visé late-70s/early-80s Second City/SNL/National Lampoon treatise).
🎬 Successful, and/or
🎬 Remarkable
The author commemorates an abridged making-of Animal House (for for the zillionth time), but what he chooses to outline but say outright is most revealing, imo:
The hopelessly unfunny & compromising Universal executives insisted on gifting John Landis with directing duties (when either Harold Ramis or Ivan Reitman could have just as competently helmed their no-budget, least-liked project). Thereby launching a professionally mediocre (second unit-, at best) director's career into the stratosphere, if only for a short while; eventually dithering and fading into absolute mediocrity once all the genuine comedic talent (writers) unanimously acknowledged Landis was always terrible at (film) editing comedy -- much more adapt at car crashes and demolitions.
He capably glimpses The Blues Brothers' real importance while documenting its Pre-production process; only during the epilogue, author, de Visé (finally) reinforces TBB's genuine legendary status:
One of Chicago's great cinematic treasures (maybe the most significant by a non-resident at the helm?). Comprable to Hughes' Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) or Mann's Thief (1981), The Blues Brothers remains one of the most remarkable Musical/Road comedies to capture Downtown and surrounding Chicago Suburbs.
March 4, 2024
I first saw The Blues Brothers in the fall of 1980. I was in my first year in university and they would show movies in an auditorium for $1. My friend and I walked out after about 10 minutes of watching this movie because we thought it was dumb and sucked. I've since seen it many times and can now appreciate the humour. And I like their albums (I saw Matt "Guitar" Murphy a few times live back in the late 1980s/early 1990s in bars here in Toronto).
When I saw there was a book about the movie, I thought it would be an interesting read ... and it was. The book starts by giving us the backgrounds of John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd, their meeting here in Toronto, and their friendship and working relationship through Second City, Saturday Night Live (as I was reading the book, I'd stop at times and look up on YouTube scenes discussed) and eventually becoming The Blues Brothers.
I've read a couple books about John Belushi and thought this one was good. It provides lots of info without being too detailed and boring. It was interesting to see how things worked behind the scenes to get things done and the interactions between people on movies including Animal House and The Blues Brothers.
The amount of drugs and booze that were always available to and used by everyone was amazing and scary. Given Belushi's issues and eventual early death, this book tends to focus more on him, which was fine. I didn't find him likeable as a person as he didn't treat people very well at times, especially as he become more famous and drug-addicted. I'm surprised his wife, Judy, put up with him for so long ... my inclination would have been to tell him to get help with his additions or I'd be gone, but she apparently had her own addiction issues.
My only issue with this book is it would have been nice to include pictures (there were none). I read an ARC so maybe there are some in the final version?
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2024/03...
When I saw there was a book about the movie, I thought it would be an interesting read ... and it was. The book starts by giving us the backgrounds of John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd, their meeting here in Toronto, and their friendship and working relationship through Second City, Saturday Night Live (as I was reading the book, I'd stop at times and look up on YouTube scenes discussed) and eventually becoming The Blues Brothers.
I've read a couple books about John Belushi and thought this one was good. It provides lots of info without being too detailed and boring. It was interesting to see how things worked behind the scenes to get things done and the interactions between people on movies including Animal House and The Blues Brothers.
The amount of drugs and booze that were always available to and used by everyone was amazing and scary. Given Belushi's issues and eventual early death, this book tends to focus more on him, which was fine. I didn't find him likeable as a person as he didn't treat people very well at times, especially as he become more famous and drug-addicted. I'm surprised his wife, Judy, put up with him for so long ... my inclination would have been to tell him to get help with his additions or I'd be gone, but she apparently had her own addiction issues.
My only issue with this book is it would have been nice to include pictures (there were none). I read an ARC so maybe there are some in the final version?
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2024/03...
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