Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude

by Dan Aykroyd

The sound. The suits. The sunglasses. The Blues Brothers have firmly cemented their place as pop-culture icons in the annals of entertainment history. But how did a band that debuted as a goofy sketch on Saturday Night Live in 1976 go on to have a hit movie and a number one record in the space of just four short years? Simple. They were “on a mission from God”.

Now, nearly 50 years later, Elwood Blues (aka Dan Aykroyd) is on another mission—to tell the full story of how two young actors went from blues lovers to Blues Brothers. In this fascinating audio documentary Aykroyd “gets the band back together”, taking listeners on a road trip through time—from late nights in the early days with John Belushi at Dan’s speakeasy in Toronto, to working with blues legends Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Ray Charles on The Blues Brothers movie, through the founding of House of Blues, the Blues Brothers 2000 sequel, and beyond.

Along the way, Aykroyd is joined by band members, friends, filmmakers, and cohorts who witnessed the Blues Brothers’ birth and meteoric rise firsthand, including Jim Belushi, Paul Shaffer, Curtis Salgado, John Landis, Steve Jordan, and more. Also featuring conversations with the late Judy Belushi Pisano, and a previously unheard interview with John Belushi himself.

Thoughtful, entertaining, and endlessly illuminating, Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude is a joyous celebration of the legendary band that kick-started a blues revival and launched a lasting legacy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Music, History, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography

2 pages, Audible Audio

Published July 25, 2024

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short, fairly light review of the creation of the Blues Brothers act, the movie and all that came after. It’s nice to hear the voices of some of the participants (I just wish Dan had done it before so many of the band members died,) but for the real scoop read the great book THE BLUES BROTHERS by Daniel de Vies….it’s so good!

[Jake Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved hearing this audiobook. As a massive fan of The Blues Brothers it was so cool hearing first hand tales of how the duo was created and their goal of getting people to appreciate Blues music. A real tear jerker at some points when talking about John. A wonderful listen.

[Andrew Mossberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short listen by Dan Aykroyd and others involved with the formation and unparalleled body of work of the Blues Brothers. Heartfelt tributes to John Belushi and his contributions and all of the performers who have also left us. Features in addition to Dan: Judy Belushi, Jim Belushi, Paul Schaffer, Curtis Salgado, Steve Jordan and even excerpts from a interview with John Belushi. Much like the performances of the Blues Brothers, Dan calls out credit to everyone involved in the presentation. Class Act.

[AnnaRichelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the Blues Brothers then you should listen to this. It's a beautiful tribute and behind the scenes look at the birth of the Blues Brothers and how it evolved into an iconic entity of its day that has withstood the test of time. Dan Akroyd honors his friend John Belushi and many musical icons that influenced the Blues Brothers. I thoroughly enjoyed this book narrated by Dan Akroyd, which also included clips from many of the people involved with the Blues Brothers.

[Sue Fitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable two hours that took me back to high school and some great memories. Also bittersweet due to the loss of John Belushi. The comments from John's widow, Judith, were particularly interesting because it showed her acumen for show business and business in general. It seemed like she and John were partners in his career success. Available in the Audible Plus Catalog.

[David Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quote = “Thank you. I needed that.”

Thinking about you, Steve “the Oaf” Cottrill. May the beauty of the Lord be upon you.

[Catherineraz · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone whose childhood involved watching The Blues Brothers movie frequently and quoting it incessantly, this audiobook really hit the spot.

[Ryan Russell]

Content Warnings: Brief strong language, Drug and alcohol use, Death

[Sharon Borton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! If you love the Blues Brothers movie, you’ll love this book.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The was a fun, quick audiobook listen. I needed something different as a bit of a palate cleanser and this was perfect. Just a short entertaining way to pass the time and learn a little of the history behind the Blues Brothers. It's not SUPER in depth but I enjoyed it.

[Sherrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated it!

[Kyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal reminisces of the people involved in the Blues Brothers creation and the joy it brought them. A highlight was Judy Belushi and her relationship with John.

[Heath Kirkwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I chose this out of curiosity and needing a quick listen for my reading goal. Dan Aykroyd writing and reading his account of the Blues Brothers from idea to franchise is insightful and interesting. I had no idea that this was a bigger and more impacting concept than a decades-old movie. Musical stars had their lives restarted because of this movement. I’m also again humbled and saddened at the negative effect of substances, which includes Belushi’s death as a 33-year-old. The legacy of the Blues Brothers impacts more than anyone could have expected, and in fact it still has a place in the mediums of music, TV, and cinema.

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick audio, with Dan Aykroyd actually narrating, and with other members of the Blues Brothers family contributing to the narration, and with some of the music in the background. I was a big fan & we still watch the movie and the sequel over and over again.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and fun little peek behind the scenes of the Blues Brothers. Dan Aykroyd does a majority of the narration, but is joined by various people sharing stories and tidbits about the band, the movie, the phenomenon. Being that it was so short I was surprised by how much is covered. Over all a very fun and interesting read.

[Brett Bumeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the short 2 hour audiobook on Audible and loved this.

I grew up watching this movie as a kid, repeatedly.

I loved the movie, loved the music, love the music even more 45 years later.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A zippy look at the Blues Brothers. There's a lot of details for such a short work. The Brothers easily could have been a joke or parody band. Instead, Aykroyd's respect and admiration for blues pioneers shines through.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is free with Audible membership.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recall seeing the Blues Brothers when it came out ALMOST FIFTY YEARS AGO (augh!?!) and saw this audible original was available, so listened to it. I know there has been a lot written about that movie, the franchise, with films, albums, tours, sequels, and so on. So roughly two hours seemed fine, as this was a fine fun flick for me, especially for me as a midwesterner, but I didn't recall it as one of the best movie ever.

But it was surprisingly good in that Elwood Blues (aka Dan Aykroyd) narrates this short history of the BB phenomenon, from an SNL sketch with John Belushi, which improbably led these white dudes to work with and celebrate the music of blues legends Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Ray Charles. Various people are interviewed, including Jim Belushi, Paul Shaffer, Curtis Salgado, John Landis, Steve Jordan, and more. The main storyteller is Aykroyd, but one treat is a lot from the late Judy Belushi Pisano, and a previously unheard interview with John Belushi himself. And quite a bit from Landis.

And band members who defend the project as both comedic genius AND a serious tribute to the great blues artists, many of whose careers were revived (as with the Coen Brothers comedy that takes bluegrass music seriously, O Brother, Where Art Thou?) as a result. No complaints of cultural appropriation here, as blues clubs suddenly were packed, and for several years.

To stretch it out a bit we get into John's bro Jim getting into the mix, a second The Blues Brothers movie, the founding of House of Blues, the Blues Brothers 2000 sequel. Most importantly, I made a list of some songs I had not listened to in a long time, and made a commitment to 1) see the movie again with the fam, and 2) get back one more time to a classic Chicago blues club, preferably like one that I heard is being revived on the south side that I used to go to in the seventies (hearing Buddy and Phil Guy there, among many others). On a mission from God!

[Thomas Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, quick lesson on Audible I enjoyed The Blues Brothers the arc of gratitude. She I listened to it on the audible app. It was more of an audible of a more of an oral history than a book. Dan Aykroyd, Paul Schaefer, John Belushi, his wife met Jim blushe, many others narrate and tell their remembrances of the Blues Brothers movie. What an incredible movie and musical event it was for its time to hear the musicians take it so seriously, despite the fact that their front men were ridiculous. Comedians from Saturday Night Live showed that it doesn't matter what the job is, if you take it seriously and do it right, you have the opportunity to expand everything. Ray Charles Aretha Franklin, other legendary names who today are massive heroes, were at a low period during the creation of the Blues Brothers movie, and in many ways, thanks to the movie and the albums. It was a rediscovery of the blues and a main a rediscovery of these artists. The film benefited them far more than they could ever have expected. What should have been just a silly buddy cop buddy comedy movie turned into so much more because of the power of the music and the power of the performances by these incredible artists. Interviews with many members of the band, just a great way to remember the Blues Brothers and to remember their surprising influence on modern music. It's a quick listen and free on Audible I suggest listening to the Blues Brothers, the arc of gratitude, thanks to Dan Ackroyd for putting this together.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

[Tracy Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t a super long audiobook. It is narrated by several of the key creators with discussion either on or by: Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Judy Belushi Pisano, Jim Belushi, Paul Shafer, Curtis Salgado, John Landis, Steve Jordan and more.

Dan tells of his initial meeting of John Belushi, almost 50 years ago, finding they’re mutual love of the blues, and the creative process of this band which springboarded to great successful movie. It was a movie with Jack and Elwood Blues on a “mission from God”. (If you listen to the book, be sure you’re familiar with the movie first for the deepest understanding). The team were able to put together an extremely talented band of professionals and embarked on the short lived life of the Blues Brothers.

This book shares the development of the group, backlash from the blues community, and all the stories of drugs and addiction that plagued the band.

Dan takes you up to the details on John Belushi’s death and the reinvention of the Blues Brothers a few years later with John’s brother Jim as the brother Zee Blues. It’s a bit of a Blues Brothers documentary with any living participants sharing the experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, granite my age falls right in the height of their success, and fills in all the behind-the-scenes stories. If you’re a fan of SNL, the Blues Brothers, Dan Alyroyd, John or Jim Belushi, you might truly enjoy those narrative.

[Tom Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Backstory of an Iconic Act.

This was a worthwhile Read. I’m not much of a fan of Dan Ackroyd. There’s something about the Persona that he’s created that comes across as artificial. But his narration of this Audible Original sounds sincere and the story he tells ls equally about his friend John Belushi and the passion for The Blues that they shared.

He takes for granted that his readers know a lot about the incredible talent and legendary Madness of Belushi but this story is about another less well-known side of the Man. Once he was introduced to the Blues by Ackroyd, he became obsessed with turning the World on to the genius of the Music and the Players whose talent could deliver it. So The Blues Brothers was born and the rest is History.

This little book provides the timeline of the Act’s growth from a humble idea to Global Stardom. Unlike many tales, this one gives a lot of credit to the Personalities, Producers, and Players who helped create it, many in their own words. Like many Blues aficionados, I enjoyed watching the craziness of The Brothers on SNL but never took them seriously as Musicians and Messengers of The Blues. I think Arc of Gratitude might have turned me around a little. I’m going to give their Albums another listen. And maybe I too need to watch the Movie again. 😂

Four Stars. ****

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, short audiobook. I watched The Blues Brothers a whole bunch when I was a pre-teen. Listened to their cassette alot in carpool to highschool the first few years. Listening, I realized they introduced me and my friends to Blues music. Probably started opening up my interest to other types of non-standard radio songs. Growing up GenX in Chicago, I don't think I have any friends who can't quote at least one line from the movie. As he says in the beginning, this story is lived, written, and read by Dan Aykroyd. But there are many other people who join in with interview type clips - Jim Belushi, Judy Belushi (John's wife), John Landis, some guys from the band... It's not just a story of the Blues Brothers movie, it's the story of the band, SNL, House of Blues, and various touching relationships with John Belushi. Lots of nostalgia. It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook takes me down memory lane & I enjoyed every moment of learning about the beginning of the Blues Brothers~
It reminds me of my introduction to blues through this movie, the Queen Aretha Franklin and the Father of Blues, Ray Charles ❤️

To this day I still love this movie and go back to the music often.


Playlist:
Opening: I Can’t Turn You Loose ~ The Blues Brothers
Everybody Needs Somebody to Love ~ The Blues Brothers
Theme from Rawhide ~ The Blues Brothers
Shake a Tail Feather ~ The Blues Brothers, Ray Charles
Think ~ The Blues Brothers, Aretha Franklin
Jailhouse Rock ~ The Blues Brothers
Soul Man ~ The Blues Brothers
Sweet Home Chicago ~ The Blues Brothers
Closing: I Can’t Turn You Loose ~ The Blues Brothers

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as it could be in 1.5 hours. I learned some things I didn't know about both John and Jim Belusi, and Dan Ackroyd, as well as some well known musicians.
While the story was good, the bits of music that were part of the narrative really put me in a mood; so tomorrow I'll begin quest to build up my stash of music I love and have missed over the past 20-30 years (or even longer).
So I gave it a full 5 stars for the story, and the music, and the comments of so many well-known musical artists about their experiences with and about John Belushi.
It's a nice little listen of only ah hour and half that I could listen to during my getting to bed tonight and settling for the night. I recommend it!

[Gummih · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Blues Brother was a great movie with fantastic music, but there's also more to it. This is pretty much an audio documentary, really, with a lot of commentary from the different people involved in the Blues Brothers journey. It is as authentic as you can hope to achieve with most if not all of the major players joining in.

There was more info than I expected on the band itself and the origins of how they came to be. In the end though something about this title didn’t quite appeal to me and I think it’s just the form of it. I enjoy more structured text over this type of audio centric programming.

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic trip down memory lane of the Blues Brothers by the supremely talented Dan Ackroyd who lived it. I loved how he recounted meeting John Belushi, his brother from another mother, their time spent together and the creation of the Blues Brothers, putting the band together and their too short career together. We hear from several people, John Landis, members of the band, John's widow Judy and more. We get snippets of music as well. I hope he writes a book, Just wonderful, but way too short. I had a great time and will listen to this again.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told the story of Dan Akroyd and John Belushi meeting, how Dan shared the blues music with John, and then how the SNL act came to be with all the soundtracks and movies after. Great retrospective with interviews of the people who were there. Loved the production quality. So glad to hear that through all of it their mission was to spread the word about blues music and the artists that made it. They helped out the careers of many black artists that got screwed over the first time around. When you believe in something great things are possible.

[Arthur Ratliff · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of the Blues brothers. I love their music and the band. I thought about the title and wondered how much gratitude has been shown. .Some people made money off of the movie, music and related merchandise. This happened while the originators of the
music didn’t fare as well.

At least 75% of all the profits (including those from this book) should go to the surviving bluesmen and their families

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narrated by Dan Aykroyd and featuring interviews with Paul Shaeffer, Blue Lou Marini, Judy and Jim Belushi, and many others; this was a quick retelling of how the Blues Brothers got started, and how they ended up making the film.
I'm a huge fan of the music from the movie and the first two albums, so this was a perfect listen for me. (Though Akryoyd's narration is a bit over the top.)
Read from 8.7-8.8.