Jim Belushi Recalls Watching His Brother John in ‘The Blues Brothers’
Jim Belushi recently shared his cherished memory of witnessing his late brother, John Belushi, truly shine in his iconic role with The Blues Brothers. John was recognized as one of the standout talents from the original 1975 cast of "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), where he collaborated with Dan Aykroyd to develop The Blues Brothers as both a comedic act and a full-scale blues and soul band.
The Rise of The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers debuted on SNL as musical guests in April 1978. The act quickly evolved beyond television, forming a legitimate band performing live. By September 1978, they were opening for Steve Martin at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles.
Jim’s Favorite Moment
“I’ll tell you what I loved: I loved going to the Universal Amphitheater when they came to LA and they opened for Steve Martin,” Jim, 71, said during the premiere of his film Song Sung Blue at the AFI Fest in Hollywood. “And John was so, so magnificent. I loved that moment, to see my brother just hit the top of his chart.”
Legacy and Loss
Tragically, John Belushi passed away on March 5, 1982, due to a suspected drug overdose. Following his brother’s death, Jim stepped into the role of "Zee Blues" alongside Aykroyd’s Elwood Blues, fulfilling a request from Aykroyd to continue the legacy.
Summary
Jim Belushi fondly remembers witnessing John Belushi’s rise with The Blues Brothers, marking a powerful moment before his tragic passing and keeping his legacy alive through performance.