Two Brother

Everyone has their favorite car chase movie. Many gravitate towards the "Mad Max" films because of their Frankenstein vehicles (all of which were built practically with real car parts) and wasteland chic style. Others, meanwhile, favor the "Fast and the Furious" series thanks to its flashy cars that would be the diamond of any collection. There's also the pinnacle of 1980s car chase movies, "The Blues Brothers."
In case you have never heard of it, the film stars Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi as the titular Blues brothers Elwood and "Joliet" Jake, respectively. The two are on a mission to reunite their band and raise enough money to save the orphanage they grew up in, and nothing is going to get in their way; not the N***s, not the cops, and certainly not their rap sheets. While the Blues brothers are the story's deuteragonists, the true star of the film is the iconic Bluesmobile, a 1974 Dodge Monaco police car that Elwood bought at an auction.

In 1980, the film by the comic and musical duo The Blues Brothers, portrayed by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, began the journey that would turn it into a cult film. John and Dan wore outfits that, for that time, were considered outdated. However, by adding the dark glasses and their crazy, rebellious imprint, they made it part of the modern rock world. We are of course referring to the black suit, the hat, and the dark glasses, which are now considered a classic.

Dan Aykroyd plays Elwood Blues, Jake’s quiet and deadpan brother. While Jake is the more extroverted and reckless of the two, Elwood provides a calm balance. Aykroyd’s performance is marked by his understated humor and smooth harmonica playing. Elwood’s character, like Jake, is deeply rooted in blues culture, and his loyalty to his brother and their "mission from God" drives the plot forward.

John Belushi plays the character of Jake Blues, a charismatic and rebellious figure who leads the charge to save the orphanage. His performance is both funny and heartfelt, capturing the carefree spirit of the character while also showcasing his deep love for blues music. Belushi’s portrayal of Jake Blues became iconic for its mix of humor, physical comedy, and genuine musical talent.

Saturday Night Live we all have our favourite skits, characters and moments. Having been on the air for over 45 years, its legacy spans worldwide. From Stefon to Debbie Downer, Gilly to Church Lady and Mary Katherine Gallagher to Roseanne Roseannadanna, the show has iconic characters in the hundreds. But in 1978, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi came together to form The Blues Brothers, who became an instant hit with fans and cast members on the show - and for the first time ever, SNL headed to the big screen with 1980's 'The Blues Brothers', a mere two years after the characters first debuted on the show.

The film follows brothers Jake and Elwood Blues, blood brothers who are on a mission from God to save the orphanage they grew up in by raising $5,000. To do this, they must reunite the Blues Brothers band and make the deadline - otherwise, they risk losing it all.

'The Blues Brothers' opened a month after the little-known sequel 'The Empire Strikes Back' (both films featuring Carrie Fisher), which of course was still dominating the box office. While the film was the tenth highest-grossing film of 1980 and received extremely positive reviews, the film really cemented its cult status when it became a late-night cinema hit, with audience participation screenings inviting fans to dressed up and sing along

Late comedian John Belushi formed the Blues Brothers with Dan Aykroyd in the late ’70s for “Saturday Night Live,” unknowingly creating a cult classic duo for the ages.

As the musical pair gained popularity, appearing in weekly sketches, their celebrity status was cemented once “The Blues Brothers” movie was released in 1980.

But not all pop culture enthusiasts were fans of the singing duo. In an unearthed 1979 interview shared for the first time as part of the Audible documentary, “Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude,” Belushi responded to criticism the band received as White men occupying spaces in the blues culture, which was predominantly spearheaded by Black artists.

Soho Weekly News music critic Steve Bloom in 1979 shared headlines with Belushi, some stating, “Can Belushi sing the whites?” and “Why the Brothers ain’t got no blues.”