A never-before-heard interview withJohn Belushifrom 1979 offers some new insight into how the late, greatSaturday Night Livestar and comedy iconfelt about criticisms that were leveled at the musical comedyThe Blues Brothersat the time. Coming as part of the Audible audio documentary “Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude,” and viaEW, the interview was conducted by music critic Steve Bloom three years before Belushi’s death and finds the actoraddressing the disapproval over the movie capitalizing on a genre so closely tied with African-American culture and Black artists.
In his response, Belushi largely rejects such criticisms, reasoning that the “people watching me understand why I do it, and the band members do.”
“It’s just weird, you know? 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…. Why do I do what I do? First of all, it has nothing to do with ego, it has nothing to do with money, you know, or the need to be loved by an audience. I don’t have any of those feelings.”
Bloom then tries to ask Belushi another question, but the comedian cannot help but share more thoughts on the accusations, hitting back much harder againstThe Blues Brotherscritics.
“What the f— do these people think I am, anyway? I can’t f—in’ 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.”
“That’s not the purpose of the Blues Brothers!”
The Blues Brothers
Following this response, Bloom then offers more context around the criticisms saying, “Well, to be honest with you, I think they were attacking you.” After adding that “there’s a long line of cases where white musicians play Black music and make money while the Black musicians don’t make the money," Belushi sounds offended by the suggestion and continues to vehemently defend himself and his approach to both The Blues Brothersmovie and his appearances as the charactersonSaturday Night Live.
“That’s not the purpose of the Blues Brothers! 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. 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! I’m not f—in’ fantastic, but that’s not the point!”
Jack Nicholson and John Belushi’s Feud Explored in New Short from the Lewis Brothers
The filmmakers behind the viral short featuring Jamie Costa as Robin Williams have released a new short.
The Blues Brothersfollows Jake (John Belushi) and his brother Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) who, in an attempt to save the orphanage they grew up in, get their old band back together. The movie is nowconsidered a cult comedy classicand has since become a staple of late-night cinema.
Narrated by Dan Aykroyd, “Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude” debuts exclusively on Audible from July 25.
