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The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic
'Highly entertaining' Empire
'A must read' Independent
'Remarkable' Judy Belushi Pisano
'This book is on a mission from God' DBC Pierre
The Blues Brothers hit cinemas on 20th June, 1980. Today, it 's recognised as one of the most significant films of the twentieth century. Its spotlighting of some of the world's most legendary rhythm and blues artists - Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker - made the film as unforgettable as its wild car chases.
In The Blues Brothers, Daniel de Visé shares the history of this timeless movie, encompassing the colourful childhoods of Belushi and Aykroyd; the comedic revolution sparked by The Harvard Lampoon; the birth and drug-filled early years of Saturday Night Live; and of course, the indelible behind-the-scenes narrative of how the film was made.
Based on original research and dozens of interviews probing the memories of principals from director John Landis and producer Bob Weiss to Aykroyd himself, The Blues Brothers illuminates in glorious technicolour, the making of an American masterpiece and the birth of modern comedy.
'Droll and rigorous . . . bracingly thorough' The Times
'[A] diverting celebration' Irish Times
'A must read' Independent
'Remarkable' Judy Belushi Pisano
'This book is on a mission from God' DBC Pierre
The Blues Brothers hit cinemas on 20th June, 1980. Today, it 's recognised as one of the most significant films of the twentieth century. Its spotlighting of some of the world's most legendary rhythm and blues artists - Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker - made the film as unforgettable as its wild car chases.
In The Blues Brothers, Daniel de Visé shares the history of this timeless movie, encompassing the colourful childhoods of Belushi and Aykroyd; the comedic revolution sparked by The Harvard Lampoon; the birth and drug-filled early years of Saturday Night Live; and of course, the indelible behind-the-scenes narrative of how the film was made.
Based on original research and dozens of interviews probing the memories of principals from director John Landis and producer Bob Weiss to Aykroyd himself, The Blues Brothers illuminates in glorious technicolour, the making of an American masterpiece and the birth of modern comedy.
'Droll and rigorous . . . bracingly thorough' The Times
'[A] diverting celebration' Irish Times
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First published March 19, 2024
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About the author
Daniel de Visé
6 books63 followersDaniel de Visé is a writer and journalist. His books have been translated into Spanish, German, Dutch, Italian, 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. King of the Blues inspired his fifth book, The Blues Brothers, a jubilant return to his hometown of Chicago.
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 213 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*
May 22, 2024
"He's Mr. Careful, and I'm Mr. F*** It. I can't always figure him out, but whenever I'm around him, I feel safe." -- John Belushi, regarding his friendship with Dan Aykroyd, to Rolling Stone magazine
de Vise's The Blues Brothers takes a little while to get hummin' and-a strummin'- it is only about at the book's halfway point when the title characters are finally invented by the comedic duo - and so for the initial 150 or so pages it covers the respective biographies / early work of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. As such, said material will likely be largely familiar to readers who have previously devoured earlier works such as Matty Simmons' mediocre Fat, Drunk & Stupid: The Inside Story Behind the Making of 'Animal House', Bob Woodward's very good Wired: The Short Life and Fast Times of John Belushi, or the simply outstanding and much-recommended Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live by Hill & Weingrad. However, once Belushi and Aykroyd - who initially met in the early 70's via their time in the Second City comedy troupes; Belushi being a veteran of the original Chicago group, Aykroyd a member of the Toronto spin-off - create the musical alter egos of Jake and Elwood Blues (during their third season on the upstart late night sketch comedy series 'SNL') the book's narrative hits a nicely brisk stride. When it finally dives into the oft-troubled production of the hit movie The Blues Brothers, it gets really interesting because it is a reminder of film critic Roger Ebert's maxim that "it is a hard and frustrating thing to make a movie, and credit must be given where due". Although the performers - not just Belushi and Aykroyd, but soulful co-stars James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles (who performed my favorite number with that upbeat 'Shake a Tail Feather' scene) and many others - brought their A-game to the bombastic musical comedy, I enjoyed even more reading about the talented behind-the-scenes crew - assistant directors, technicians, stunt personnel, etc. - who worked just as diligently to get the flick completed on schedule for its release date in the summer of 1980. The duo's uttered catchphrase was "we're on a mission from God", and they devilishly provided some truly heaven-sent entertainment to audiences. 😉
de Vise's The Blues Brothers takes a little while to get hummin' and-a strummin'- it is only about at the book's halfway point when the title characters are finally invented by the comedic duo - and so for the initial 150 or so pages it covers the respective biographies / early work of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. As such, said material will likely be largely familiar to readers who have previously devoured earlier works such as Matty Simmons' mediocre Fat, Drunk & Stupid: The Inside Story Behind the Making of 'Animal House', Bob Woodward's very good Wired: The Short Life and Fast Times of John Belushi, or the simply outstanding and much-recommended Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live by Hill & Weingrad. However, once Belushi and Aykroyd - who initially met in the early 70's via their time in the Second City comedy troupes; Belushi being a veteran of the original Chicago group, Aykroyd a member of the Toronto spin-off - create the musical alter egos of Jake and Elwood Blues (during their third season on the upstart late night sketch comedy series 'SNL') the book's narrative hits a nicely brisk stride. When it finally dives into the oft-troubled production of the hit movie The Blues Brothers, it gets really interesting because it is a reminder of film critic Roger Ebert's maxim that "it is a hard and frustrating thing to make a movie, and credit must be given where due". Although the performers - not just Belushi and Aykroyd, but soulful co-stars James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles (who performed my favorite number with that upbeat 'Shake a Tail Feather' scene) and many others - brought their A-game to the bombastic musical comedy, I enjoyed even more reading about the talented behind-the-scenes crew - assistant directors, technicians, stunt personnel, etc. - who worked just as diligently to get the flick completed on schedule for its release date in the summer of 1980. The duo's uttered catchphrase was "we're on a mission from God", and they devilishly provided some truly heaven-sent entertainment to audiences. 😉
October 22, 2024
Really good. More a Belushi biography with Ackroyd as sidekick, but lots of insight into the depth of their friendship and collaborations.
The question about the movie is well covered. Is it fundamentally racist? Consigning truly great Black blues musicians to backup roles to two mediocre White ones who get all the attention and glory, or an homage to the artistry and talent of those forgotten greats to help revive their careers? Exploitation or adulation? De Visé lays out both sides very well, and then comes down to the greatness of the film and sincerity of the creators' intent. Lastly, its selection by the Library of Congress as a landmark film of cultural importance and perennial inclusion on top comedy screenplays and movies, plus a whole book he researched and wrote about, seals the deal and lets us know how the author feels. I have to agree.
Definitely sorry the movie isn't on any of my streaming services now.
Three and a half stars.
The question about the movie is well covered. Is it fundamentally racist? Consigning truly great Black blues musicians to backup roles to two mediocre White ones who get all the attention and glory, or an homage to the artistry and talent of those forgotten greats to help revive their careers? Exploitation or adulation? De Visé lays out both sides very well, and then comes down to the greatness of the film and sincerity of the creators' intent. Lastly, its selection by the Library of Congress as a landmark film of cultural importance and perennial inclusion on top comedy screenplays and movies, plus a whole book he researched and wrote about, seals the deal and lets us know how the author feels. I have to agree.
Definitely sorry the movie isn't on any of my streaming services now.
Three and a half stars.
October 20, 2024
Dan Ackroyd speaking to those gathered at the funeral for John Belushi: “….In some cases, real greatness gives license for real indulgence, whether it’s as a reward, as therapy, or as sanctuary. For as hard as John worked, there had to be an additional Illicit thrill to make the effort all worthwhile….” This book explores all those and related themes in a comprehensive and highly documented way.
The Blues Brothers, the movie, was a big hit starring John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd. This book starts all the way back before John and Dan (or Jake and Elwood) began their careers and eventually met up. Aside from these two, we get plenty about their friends and fellow participants in the early years of Saturday Night (on NBC). We are told about their creative process and the difficulties presented by Belushi’s struggles with drugs and mental health.
I remember the movie, The Blues Brothers, with a good deal of affection that was rooted in the fantastic musicianship and great performances by a bevy of R&B icons including: John Lee Hooker, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin. The scene when the Blues Brothers are booked into a C&W roadhouse still makes me laugh. And I have Jake and Elwood’s version of “She Took the Katy (and left me a mule to ride)” on my playlist. Author, de Vise, describes how each of these icons came to be involved in this movie.
There is a lot of trivia sprinkled throughout the book. If you read carefully, you will know the city where Belushi’s father was born and the location of the treehouse where John Landis lost his virginity. We are taken on a long and convoluted journey to the early days of Ackroyd and Belushi and then to their time in school and then the first steps in their careers and then to their early days on the new show, Saturday Night (Live). {The ‘live” was added when NBC was able to get the rights to the name from a previous show on ABC}
Our “Blues Brothers” were both brilliant and self-destructive, though Belushi was by far the ticking time bomb. There are a lot of elements that had to come together for The Blues Brothers to be effective and taken seriously. We are provided with a step by step evolution that includes focus on key elements of R&B music, improvised practice sessions, and choosing the look for “Joliet Jake and “Elwood.” The dark suits, the fedoras, and the dark glasses about which de Vise says the following: “The sunglasses were less about race and more about dope….Dark sunglasses allowed John to hide the evidence of debauchery. The freed Dan from the awkward business of eye contact.” The author makes a strong case for that April 1978 SNL show, the Blues Brothers included, as being one of the strongest, if not the best, SNL show ever with its Weekend Update and guest Steve Martin.
For some it might be too long before de Vise gets to the movie, but I enjoyed the journey.
According to Wikipedia: “In 2020, The Blues Brothers was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".”
The Blues Brothers, the movie, was a big hit starring John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd. This book starts all the way back before John and Dan (or Jake and Elwood) began their careers and eventually met up. Aside from these two, we get plenty about their friends and fellow participants in the early years of Saturday Night (on NBC). We are told about their creative process and the difficulties presented by Belushi’s struggles with drugs and mental health.
I remember the movie, The Blues Brothers, with a good deal of affection that was rooted in the fantastic musicianship and great performances by a bevy of R&B icons including: John Lee Hooker, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin. The scene when the Blues Brothers are booked into a C&W roadhouse still makes me laugh. And I have Jake and Elwood’s version of “She Took the Katy (and left me a mule to ride)” on my playlist. Author, de Vise, describes how each of these icons came to be involved in this movie.
There is a lot of trivia sprinkled throughout the book. If you read carefully, you will know the city where Belushi’s father was born and the location of the treehouse where John Landis lost his virginity. We are taken on a long and convoluted journey to the early days of Ackroyd and Belushi and then to their time in school and then the first steps in their careers and then to their early days on the new show, Saturday Night (Live). {The ‘live” was added when NBC was able to get the rights to the name from a previous show on ABC}
Our “Blues Brothers” were both brilliant and self-destructive, though Belushi was by far the ticking time bomb. There are a lot of elements that had to come together for The Blues Brothers to be effective and taken seriously. We are provided with a step by step evolution that includes focus on key elements of R&B music, improvised practice sessions, and choosing the look for “Joliet Jake and “Elwood.” The dark suits, the fedoras, and the dark glasses about which de Vise says the following: “The sunglasses were less about race and more about dope….Dark sunglasses allowed John to hide the evidence of debauchery. The freed Dan from the awkward business of eye contact.” The author makes a strong case for that April 1978 SNL show, the Blues Brothers included, as being one of the strongest, if not the best, SNL show ever with its Weekend Update and guest Steve Martin.
For some it might be too long before de Vise gets to the movie, but I enjoyed the journey.
According to Wikipedia: “In 2020, The Blues Brothers was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".”
June 19, 2025
What you get in Daniel de Visé’s book is a biography of John Belushi with an emphasis on his friendship/partnership with Dan Aykroyd, and a heavy focus on the genius of the Blues Brothers and the making of The Blues Brothers movie. Along the way you get a little bit of Second City, a glance into National Lampoon, and an extensive look at the beginnings and early years of Saturday Night Live. All this is delivered in lively prose with a combination of familiar tales and behind the scenes stories. If you are a fan of the actor or the movie you will be well satisfied.
Belushi’s tragic drug addiction is central to the second half of the book, as it increasingly took over his life. Another major theme is the controversy over whether the Blues Brothers act and movie was exploitive of Black culture, music and artist, or was a homage to them. While both sides are presented, the author firmly lands on it being a loving homage, an opinion shared with the Black artist who appeared in the movie and had major career revivals as a result.
Belushi’s tragic drug addiction is central to the second half of the book, as it increasingly took over his life. Another major theme is the controversy over whether the Blues Brothers act and movie was exploitive of Black culture, music and artist, or was a homage to them. While both sides are presented, the author firmly lands on it being a loving homage, an opinion shared with the Black artist who appeared in the movie and had major career revivals as a result.
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 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.
July 28, 2024
ARC for review. Published March 19, 2024.
Review published in Charleston (WV) Gazette Mail, Sunday, July 27-28, 2024.
“The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv and the Making of an American Film Classic” by Daniel de Vise, March 19, 2024, Grove Atlantic.
On June 20, 1980, my favorite movie of all time hit theatres (well, it’s tied with “The Color Purple”) “They’re not going to catch us, says Elwood Blues, to brother Jake, “We’re on a mission from God.”
And so begins the rollicking good time that is “The Blues Brothers,” starring the late John Belushi as “Joliet” Jake Blues and Dan Aykroyd as Elwood Blues. The book chronicles the evolution of the duo from their childhoods, through Second City in Chicago, then their friendship at “Saturday Night Live” where Aykroyd introduced Belushi to blues and the two became writing partners (though Aykroyd shouldered most of the work), to the Blues Brothers musical act on “SNL and then, finally to the feature film.
While at “SNL” the two wanted to use their love of blues and old R&B music in an act and created Jake and Elwood Blues. According to Aykroyd, @We thought it would be fun to put together an act that venerated the African-American songwriters and the songbook and artists in a way that had humor.” They had to beg Lorne Michaels to put it on the air and it wasn’t until a show that ran a few minutes short that they were allowed to perform-and magic resulted.
“SNL” was a huge hit, as was Belidhi, who was coming off his star turn in “Animal House,” so studios were looking for a Belushi vehicle. Belushi and Aykroyd were adamant that it would be a Blues Brothers movie and Aykroyd worked for months on a script. He delivered one that would run about five hours, obviously many cuts were needed.
Aykroyd earned $250,000 for the movie, half as much as Belushi-which was fine with him; he simply wanted the movie made. Director John Landis saw the movie as “essentially one long car chase.”
The most difficult part of the movie was convincing Aretha Franklin and other R&B legends to be in the film “to reintroduce them to white America and to immortalize their music in the film.” In 1979, Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles and others were still very much working musicians, not yet the living legends they became, and none of them had had a hit in years, often they were playing concerts at rural fairgrounds to make ends meet. Aykroyd thought “The Blues Brothers” could change that.
Cab Calloway hadn’t been on a chart in 30 years. His career, which began with 1931’s “Minnie the Moocher” (which he also performed in the film) resurged. Aykroyd also wanted a section of the movie with hard blues and he invited John Lee Hooker with others for that section.
Universal began with a budget of $5 million, which ballooned to $12 million after the script came in. There were many stunts and the movie was shot on location in Chicago. The climax, as the Brothers deliver payment to the assessors office, shot at Daley Plaza, involved more than 500 people and cost $3.5 million dollars (more than the entire budget of “Animal House.”)
Throughout the shoot, Belushi was imploding, using more and more cocaine. John Landis assigned minders to try to curb the worst of his excesses, but paramedics were called several times because he “basically overdosed.”
The movie came in over deadline and over budget, ultimately costing $30 million dollars. Initial reviews were mixed with the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times finding it unfunny. The Chicago critics took a kinder view, with Roger Ebert giving it three stars and Gene Siskel opining, “the year’s best film to date; one of the all-time great comedies; the best movie ever made in Chicago.”
Ultimately, the Library of Congress included “The Blues Brothers” in the National Film Registry, and it is widely seen as a classic and a cultural touchstone. It spawned a sequel, the House of Blues chain of musical venues and restaurants and, of course, some great quotes.
Review published in Charleston (WV) Gazette Mail, Sunday, July 27-28, 2024.
“The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv and the Making of an American Film Classic” by Daniel de Vise, March 19, 2024, Grove Atlantic.
On June 20, 1980, my favorite movie of all time hit theatres (well, it’s tied with “The Color Purple”) “They’re not going to catch us, says Elwood Blues, to brother Jake, “We’re on a mission from God.”
And so begins the rollicking good time that is “The Blues Brothers,” starring the late John Belushi as “Joliet” Jake Blues and Dan Aykroyd as Elwood Blues. The book chronicles the evolution of the duo from their childhoods, through Second City in Chicago, then their friendship at “Saturday Night Live” where Aykroyd introduced Belushi to blues and the two became writing partners (though Aykroyd shouldered most of the work), to the Blues Brothers musical act on “SNL and then, finally to the feature film.
While at “SNL” the two wanted to use their love of blues and old R&B music in an act and created Jake and Elwood Blues. According to Aykroyd, @We thought it would be fun to put together an act that venerated the African-American songwriters and the songbook and artists in a way that had humor.” They had to beg Lorne Michaels to put it on the air and it wasn’t until a show that ran a few minutes short that they were allowed to perform-and magic resulted.
“SNL” was a huge hit, as was Belidhi, who was coming off his star turn in “Animal House,” so studios were looking for a Belushi vehicle. Belushi and Aykroyd were adamant that it would be a Blues Brothers movie and Aykroyd worked for months on a script. He delivered one that would run about five hours, obviously many cuts were needed.
Aykroyd earned $250,000 for the movie, half as much as Belushi-which was fine with him; he simply wanted the movie made. Director John Landis saw the movie as “essentially one long car chase.”
The most difficult part of the movie was convincing Aretha Franklin and other R&B legends to be in the film “to reintroduce them to white America and to immortalize their music in the film.” In 1979, Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles and others were still very much working musicians, not yet the living legends they became, and none of them had had a hit in years, often they were playing concerts at rural fairgrounds to make ends meet. Aykroyd thought “The Blues Brothers” could change that.
Cab Calloway hadn’t been on a chart in 30 years. His career, which began with 1931’s “Minnie the Moocher” (which he also performed in the film) resurged. Aykroyd also wanted a section of the movie with hard blues and he invited John Lee Hooker with others for that section.
Universal began with a budget of $5 million, which ballooned to $12 million after the script came in. There were many stunts and the movie was shot on location in Chicago. The climax, as the Brothers deliver payment to the assessors office, shot at Daley Plaza, involved more than 500 people and cost $3.5 million dollars (more than the entire budget of “Animal House.”)
Throughout the shoot, Belushi was imploding, using more and more cocaine. John Landis assigned minders to try to curb the worst of his excesses, but paramedics were called several times because he “basically overdosed.”
The movie came in over deadline and over budget, ultimately costing $30 million dollars. Initial reviews were mixed with the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times finding it unfunny. The Chicago critics took a kinder view, with Roger Ebert giving it three stars and Gene Siskel opining, “the year’s best film to date; one of the all-time great comedies; the best movie ever made in Chicago.”
Ultimately, the Library of Congress included “The Blues Brothers” in the National Film Registry, and it is widely seen as a classic and a cultural touchstone. It spawned a sequel, the House of Blues chain of musical venues and restaurants and, of course, some great quotes.
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.
July 25, 2025
I discovered The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic via Cory Doctorow's review and had to read it as The Blues Brothers is one of my favourite films. It's a comfort watch if I need cheering up, along with Clueless and The Death of Stalin. I also have the soundtrack on vinyl, which is ideal to spin for motivation to cook or clean. I'd vaguely heard that The Blues Brothers was a troubled production, but knew none of the details. This book is essentially a biography of the movie and its two stars, John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd. The initial chapters covering their lives before they met are relatively tame, but as soon as the duo become famous things get wild. The details are a combination of hilarious and alarming. Showbiz people in 1970s America sure did a lot of drugs! Belushi and Ackroyd ran with many big names from music, TV, and film, including the inimitable Carrie Fisher:
Carrie Fisher memorably plays John's homicidal ex in The Blues Brothers. By the time the book reached the movie's production, it had really hit its stride and I was rapt. Indeed I accidentally stayed up until 1:30am to finish reading. It was fascinating to learn about the stunts, the recruitment of blues legends, the shenanigans that can be spotted in the background of some shots, and how the crew handled delays, cost overruns, and John Belushi's chronic unreliability. He was struggling with the drug problem that would kill him not long afterwards. Thus the book ends on a sad note, despite the success of The Blues Brothers. It was a hit that became a cult classic and also revived the careers of the blues musicians who featured. I don't think I'd heard Minnie the Moocher before watching it for the first time - what a song! If you are also a Blues Brothers fan, this book is a rewarding experience: informative, sometimes sad, and often very funny.
"Everyone was completely loaded in those days, but at that point it was really fun and no one was really scared about it yet," Fisher recalled. "John wanted me to date Danny so that we could hang out more. I was about twenty-one and dating Paul Simon at the time, and Danny was living with Rose Shuster. But John thought that we would be a good couple and we could all have fun together. So, he invited me down to his house in the Village, and then he invited Danny over to join us, and then he passes out. That was his version of a blind date."
Dan and Fisher commenced "this clandestine affair where we would meet in parking lots and make out," Fisher said. "That was John's favourite thing ever. In getting Danny and me to have the affair, he got to be part of it."
Carrie Fisher memorably plays John's homicidal ex in The Blues Brothers. By the time the book reached the movie's production, it had really hit its stride and I was rapt. Indeed I accidentally stayed up until 1:30am to finish reading. It was fascinating to learn about the stunts, the recruitment of blues legends, the shenanigans that can be spotted in the background of some shots, and how the crew handled delays, cost overruns, and John Belushi's chronic unreliability. He was struggling with the drug problem that would kill him not long afterwards. Thus the book ends on a sad note, despite the success of The Blues Brothers. It was a hit that became a cult classic and also revived the careers of the blues musicians who featured. I don't think I'd heard Minnie the Moocher before watching it for the first time - what a song! If you are also a Blues Brothers fan, this book is a rewarding experience: informative, sometimes sad, and often very funny.
April 26, 2025
This was a lot of fun to read. Great for fans of the classic years of Saturday Night Live as well as fans of 70s-80s films and filmmaking books.
There's lots of stories about the rise of improve comedy, Second City, the beginning of Saturday Night Live and so on.
In the second half it gets down to the making of the film, including the difficulties with Belushi, all the stunts, budget problems.
The final film is even more impressive today when you consider they didn't use digital effects.
A lot of it is a bio of John Belushi. He was an fascinating person for sure, but you can get much of this information from Wired the short and Fast times of John Belushi by Bob Woodward.
What was new and fresh to me was the Dan Ackroyd biography, which got less time. It seems like Ackroyd was both manly and nerdy at the same time. (I have an awesome crush on Ackroyd after reading this book.)
I would have liked more about John Landis. He didn't get much bio real estate at all. He took a lot of risks with this film. Things that I cannot imagine happening in 2025.
Overall, this was a worthwhile read about an era of pop culture that feels so different than now.
There's lots of stories about the rise of improve comedy, Second City, the beginning of Saturday Night Live and so on.
In the second half it gets down to the making of the film, including the difficulties with Belushi, all the stunts, budget problems.
The final film is even more impressive today when you consider they didn't use digital effects.
A lot of it is a bio of John Belushi. He was an fascinating person for sure, but you can get much of this information from Wired the short and Fast times of John Belushi by Bob Woodward.
What was new and fresh to me was the Dan Ackroyd biography, which got less time. It seems like Ackroyd was both manly and nerdy at the same time. (I have an awesome crush on Ackroyd after reading this book.)
I would have liked more about John Landis. He didn't get much bio real estate at all. He took a lot of risks with this film. Things that I cannot imagine happening in 2025.
Overall, this was a worthwhile read about an era of pop culture that feels so different than now.
June 11, 2024
Fun book about two comedy legends and the great films they both made of which there are three. Had no idea they made a film in 1981 called “neighbors” for example.
Like “the blues brothers” movie, this book will keep you grinning, laughing and shaking your head, especially how many people believed cocaine wasn’t harmful until it claimed the life of “Joliet Jake” aka Belushi.
If you also enjoy 1975-1980 era SNL (who doesn’t) it’s also a must read. Intrigued how many now famous names worked in the same comedy orbit back then.
4/5 stars.
Like “the blues brothers” movie, this book will keep you grinning, laughing and shaking your head, especially how many people believed cocaine wasn’t harmful until it claimed the life of “Joliet Jake” aka Belushi.
If you also enjoy 1975-1980 era SNL (who doesn’t) it’s also a must read. Intrigued how many now famous names worked in the same comedy orbit back then.
4/5 stars.
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
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 1, 2024
I love The Blues Brothers so much. I did not love this book’s constant dialogue recreations.
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.
June 22, 2024
This is like stumbling on a never-ending Trivia section of a film in IMDB. For fans who already know the bios of Aykroyd and Belushi, you can easily skip half of the book and dive into the details of how the movie was made, but you would miss the author's take (and that of Landis) of the chemistry between the two NRFPTPs. Landis clearly has the lead role in providing details on the two actors' impact on the industries they impact (television, cinema, comedy, and pharmaceuticals). Some are hilarious, some are heartbreaking. You're even offered an unsolicited glimpse of what scenes Belushi was in prior to collapsing from his many overindulgences, if you're interested in that sort of thing.
I was looking to revisit the film itself once the book is done, but I'll let it rest in my memory, unsullied by the new information offered to me through this book.
I was looking to revisit the film itself once the book is done, but I'll let it rest in my memory, unsullied by the new information offered to me through this book.
July 31, 2025
Blues Brothers was one of my dad's favorite movies. It's also one of my husband's favorite movies. So I knew I needed to read this book and get all the details - part biography on Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi and part "how it's made" of the film. I thought this book was delightfully done. We learn all about friendships made and lost, the writing, the creativity, and we all know how it ends- with the death of John Belushi at the tragically young age of 33. If you enjoy The Blues Brothers or even appreciate the two main actors that starred in the movie, this is definitely the book for you!
May 26, 2024
It covers a great deal...so much that the eventual focus on the making of the Blue Brothers film, after so much SNL history and background, feels like whiplash. But even with all the top heavy material, this is a concise look at the film and the background & death of John Belushi. If only he had been able to conquer his demons...we might have enjoyed his genius for decades.
June 10, 2024
a lot of interesting detail, and really got a sense of the chaos and ambition of early SNL cast and their ascent to movie stardom
some of the blues brother specific detail seems a little formulaic, at times telling us the blow-by-blow detail of key scenes - not sure who this was aimed at
definitely makes me want to rewatch the movie and keep listening to the soundtrack
some of the blues brother specific detail seems a little formulaic, at times telling us the blow-by-blow detail of key scenes - not sure who this was aimed at
definitely makes me want to rewatch the movie and keep listening to the soundtrack
January 10, 2025
Almost a de facto John Belushi biography, focusing far more on him than Dan Aykroyd, but the context of how they came together to form the project at its core is a fascinating read and a grounding in influential comedy troupes. The Blues Brothers were more than just the film and this does a good job of conveying that, though it was a bit lacking in detail on the film itself at times with entire performances and personalities glossed over. But as a narrative arc spanning the tragic life of Belushi and with a spotlight on those brief few years where he and Aykroyd turned their musical passion into bottled lightning, it absolutely did the job.
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!
July 2, 2024
This is an interesting book, but it drags on a bit and it doesn’t get to the actual movie until well into the second half. Prior to getting to the movie the book is primarily a biography of John Belushi and a documentary on Second City and the early years of Saturday Night Live. The book does an excellent job at capturing the genesis of the blues brothers and showing their significance to en-tertainment and culture. There were so many drugs though, and the book almost like John Be-lushi becomes bloated with stories about drug use. Belushi’s drug use is really sad throughout, this man must have taken more drugs (mostly cocaine) than anyone on earth given the volume of the stories about it. I also felt the book established the celebrity of Belushi and Akroyd and their creation of the Blue Brothers as an inescapable destiny. They were both larger than life an in-sane to the point of genius throughout their lives, and it was their destiny to become the greatest comedians of their day. And their mission from God was accomplished, to bring classic African American music to a popular music vacuum caused by the end disco.
December 4, 2024
This seems to be part of a newer trend (a few books I've read lately have done this), where they entice you with a making of title and then only half the book is about said title. Great marketing by the publishers. Anyway, The Blues Brothers is one of my favorite films from my younger days. I didn't mind the background (note: I was told ahead of time, the movie stuff doesn't start until halfway, so I was well aware and it did not bother me as much) stuff but the meat of the book is about the movie. He talked to a lot of the people involved and it was just fun to revisit it all.
Four stars for me, would have been three if I hadn't known half the book was not about the movie (and 75% of that was about Belushi).
Four stars for me, would have been three if I hadn't known half the book was not about the movie (and 75% of that was about Belushi).
August 25, 2025
Please note: I read the paperback edition with this cover, which is not on Goodreads.
The making of The Blues Brothers, the seminal musical comedy movie from 1980, is only a part of this rich and interesting book. Daniel De Visé provides heaps of context for what that film achieved for blues music at the time of its release, and for the general trajectory of American comedy post-SNL. The book also gives a detailed account of the genesis and early years of Saturday Night Live, and how the fame surrounding it affected its stars.
This is crucial because of what the book’s really about: the rise and fall of John Belushi. Once a teetotal football star, Belushi might have lived a longer life if he’d never had substances pushed on him or fame pressuring him to perform. De Visé takes a measured view of the actor’s downfall, where he was as much his own enemy as a victim. There’s a huge sense of love all around Belushi, particularly from wife Judy and best friend Dan Aykroyd (who, like most of the players, benefits from a generous level of background in the book). You can feel a mounting sense of dread and inevitability as his relapses become more frequent and debilitating. It’s a sad story. He was a man trapped.
In amongst all of that, some incredible work got done, including (and perhaps especially) The Blues Brothers. I’ve always thought the film demonstrated a kind of carefully controlled chaos, and the insight here suggests I was being generous: ex-stuntman John Landis was exceptionally lucky not to have seen any serious injuries on the shoot. (He would be less lucky on the Twilight Zone movie two years later. As with Belushi’s death, there were clear signs.)
The Blues Brothers is one of those stars-aligning classics that just feels like magic. This book puts it in the context of the lives and careers that shaped it. If you want to know anything more about it, this is where to go.
The making of The Blues Brothers, the seminal musical comedy movie from 1980, is only a part of this rich and interesting book. Daniel De Visé provides heaps of context for what that film achieved for blues music at the time of its release, and for the general trajectory of American comedy post-SNL. The book also gives a detailed account of the genesis and early years of Saturday Night Live, and how the fame surrounding it affected its stars.
This is crucial because of what the book’s really about: the rise and fall of John Belushi. Once a teetotal football star, Belushi might have lived a longer life if he’d never had substances pushed on him or fame pressuring him to perform. De Visé takes a measured view of the actor’s downfall, where he was as much his own enemy as a victim. There’s a huge sense of love all around Belushi, particularly from wife Judy and best friend Dan Aykroyd (who, like most of the players, benefits from a generous level of background in the book). You can feel a mounting sense of dread and inevitability as his relapses become more frequent and debilitating. It’s a sad story. He was a man trapped.
In amongst all of that, some incredible work got done, including (and perhaps especially) The Blues Brothers. I’ve always thought the film demonstrated a kind of carefully controlled chaos, and the insight here suggests I was being generous: ex-stuntman John Landis was exceptionally lucky not to have seen any serious injuries on the shoot. (He would be less lucky on the Twilight Zone movie two years later. As with Belushi’s death, there were clear signs.)
The Blues Brothers is one of those stars-aligning classics that just feels like magic. This book puts it in the context of the lives and careers that shaped it. If you want to know anything more about it, this is where to go.
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.
August 10, 2025
The Blues Brothers has been a favourite of mine since the first time I saw it in the mid-80s and its soundtrack was a staple of my teen years (I’m proud of the fact I can do the whole Dan Aykroyd speech before “Everybody”). From the start (Belushi had passed away by the time I saw it), Aykroyd was always my favourite, especially since he wrote everything and I’ve followed his career since. To that end, I’ve read a lot about the film and its creators over the years and was really excited to find this but I should have read the subtitle closer - “an epic friendship, the rise of improve and the making of an American film classic”. That’s a lot to try and fit in and should have been a clue.
Basically, the felt more like a brisk Belushi biography than anything else. Yes, we get some of Dan’s youth, but Belushi really takes up the lions share of space and while the history of the Blues Brothers coming together was interesting, the film itself is covered over about 64 pages of a 343 page book. De Vise presents the facts well but it doesn’t matter how people excuse his behaviour, Belushi comes across as an overbearing and entitled brat, knowing that everyone would forgive him if he cocked an eyebrow. I have to say, it didn’t endear him to me.
On the plus side, De Vise seems to have interviewed everyone still around who was connected with the production and we do get some good insights from crew members and band mates. For all that, I’d say it’s well worth a read but your real enjoyment will depend on how you feel about Belushi.
Basically, the felt more like a brisk Belushi biography than anything else. Yes, we get some of Dan’s youth, but Belushi really takes up the lions share of space and while the history of the Blues Brothers coming together was interesting, the film itself is covered over about 64 pages of a 343 page book. De Vise presents the facts well but it doesn’t matter how people excuse his behaviour, Belushi comes across as an overbearing and entitled brat, knowing that everyone would forgive him if he cocked an eyebrow. I have to say, it didn’t endear him to me.
On the plus side, De Vise seems to have interviewed everyone still around who was connected with the production and we do get some good insights from crew members and band mates. For all that, I’d say it’s well worth a read but your real enjoyment will depend on how you feel about Belushi.
August 21, 2025
I love the Blues Brothers and so really enjoyed this book about the history of how the Blues Brothers came to be, as well as the making of the movie, and up to John Belushi's death.
The first half is dedicated to the histories of both John Belushi & Dan Akroyd - their growing up years, early career, and then later successes. It was interesting but I was itching for the book to finally get to the Blues Brothers stuff, which felt like it took forever.
I LOVED the part of the book dedicated to how the BB movie was made - I had no idea that all these music legends like James Brown, Aretha, and Cab Calloway were at low points career wise and seen as has beens until their cameos in the movie brought them back up. Yeah! (I loved that they wanted BB King and his manager refused the small part and later when BB found out he was SO disappointed). I loved the stories of making the movie, how much fun it was, how those huge stunts were filmed and made possible, how they got special permission to use Chicago landmarks to film at.
A recurring issue through the whole book is drug use - how the cast, crew, and John Belushi in particular were just huge druggies. Wow. It was tragic watching it unfold, knowing how it was going to end for John. Say no to drugs, kids. For reals.
The first half is dedicated to the histories of both John Belushi & Dan Akroyd - their growing up years, early career, and then later successes. It was interesting but I was itching for the book to finally get to the Blues Brothers stuff, which felt like it took forever.
I LOVED the part of the book dedicated to how the BB movie was made - I had no idea that all these music legends like James Brown, Aretha, and Cab Calloway were at low points career wise and seen as has beens until their cameos in the movie brought them back up. Yeah! (I loved that they wanted BB King and his manager refused the small part and later when BB found out he was SO disappointed). I loved the stories of making the movie, how much fun it was, how those huge stunts were filmed and made possible, how they got special permission to use Chicago landmarks to film at.
A recurring issue through the whole book is drug use - how the cast, crew, and John Belushi in particular were just huge druggies. Wow. It was tragic watching it unfold, knowing how it was going to end for John. Say no to drugs, kids. For reals.
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