Unveiling John Belushi’s 1979 interview: A deep dive into ‘The Blues Brothers’

A rare glimpse into Belushi’s thoughts

A never-before-heard interview from 1979 with the legendary comedian John Belushi has surfaced, offering a unique perspective on his thoughts about The Blues Brothers. This interview, conducted by music critic Steve Bloom, is now part of the Audible audio documentary “Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude.” The conversation, which took place three years before Belushi’s untimely death in 1982, reveals his candid responses to the criticisms faced by the musical group he co-founded with Dan Aykroyd.

The birth of ‘The Blues Brothers’

The Blues Brothers originated as a musical sketch on “Saturday Night Live” in 1978, quickly gaining popularity. The duo’s success culminated in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, which has since become a cult classic. However, the group faced significant backlash, particularly from critics who accused them of exploiting a music genre deeply rooted in African American culture.

Addressing the critics

During the interview, Bloom presented Belushi with headlines from articles that criticized The Blues Brothers for being a group where two white men were capitalizing on a genre historically tied to Black artists. Belushi’s response was both passionate and defensive.

“It’s just weird, you know?” Belushi remarked. “Why would I do these things? The people watching me understand why I do it, and the band members do. The other people — there’s a certain amount of jealousy, I think, involved.”

Belushi was clearly frustrated by the accusations, emphasizing that his motivations were not driven by ego, money, or a need for audience adoration.

Defending the band’s integrity

Belushi’s frustration was palpable as he questioned the critics’ understanding of his intentions.

“What the fuck do these people think I am, anyway?” he asked. “I can’t fucking understand why they would attack — see, when they attack me, they attack the band, and I hate when they attack the band, because then it makes them look like schmucks for doing what they did for me.”

Belushi highlighted that The Blues Brothers often included Black artists as members, despite being headlined by two white men. Bloom pointed out that critics were specifically targeting Belushi because of the historical context where white musicians profited from Black music while Black musicians did not receive the same financial rewards.

Belushi’s vision for ‘The Blues Brothers’

Belushi passionately defended the purpose of The Blues Brothers, stating that their goal was to promote blues music and its artists.

“That’s not the purpose of the Blues Brothers!” Belushi fired back. “I say on the record, ‘Buy as many blues records as you can.’ [I] introduce my band, which is never done. I share the stage with each member of the group, which is never done.”

He emphasized the equitable distribution of profits and opportunities within the band, highlighting his efforts to include and promote Black artists.

“I have, Danny Akyroyd, you know, we all split everything right down the middle, I give the people, artists parts of the album. I’m putting them in a movie, you know? Nobody believes me!”

Belushi’s frustration culminated in a poignant declaration:

“I’m not fucking fantastic, but that’s not the point!”

The legacy of ‘The Blues Brothers’

“Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude” premieres exclusively on Audible on July 25, nearly 50 years after the duo’s earliest appearance on “Saturday Night Live” in 1976. Narrated by Aykroyd, the audio documentary features commentary from multiple collaborators who contributed to the band and the films.

For those interested in exploring more about The Blues Brothers, you can listen to the unearthed Belushi interview and gain deeper insights into the band’s journey and legacy.

Personal reflections

As a cinema and music enthusiast, the story of The Blues Brothers resonates deeply. It serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges artists face when navigating cultural appropriation and authenticity. Belushi’s candid responses in the interview reveal a man deeply passionate about his craft and committed to honoring the roots of the music he loved.

For fans of The Blues Brothers, this newly released interview offers a rare and intimate glimpse into Belushi’s mind, shedding light on his motivations and the band’s mission. It is a testament to the enduring impact of The Blues Brothers and their contribution to the world of music and film.

For more information and to listen to the interview, visit Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude.