Jim Belushi reveals what it was really like to watch his brother John get into ‘Blues Brothers’ role
Jim Belushi took the stage at the AFI Fest premiere of his new film, “Song Sung Blue,” and shared a look‑back that will tug at the heartstrings of comedy fans everywhere. The 71‑year‑old actor told People that one of his favorite memories from early Hollywood was watching his late brother John stay on top of the charts as part of the legendary “Blues Brothers” act.
John Belushi first made a splash as a founding cast member of Saturday Night Live in 1975. Alongside Dan Aykroyd, he helped launch the iconic Blues Brothers musical duo. The pair burst onto the scene in April 1978 as SNL musical guests and soon turned their sketch into a full band. In September, they opened for comedian‑comedy star Steve Martin at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, a set‑up that gave both Jim and John a powerful moment of family pride.
“I was on the dock at the Universal Amphitheater watching them open for Steve Martin,” Jim recalled. “It felt like magic. Seeing my brother hit the top of his charts was incredible.” Those electric memories cost a great deal. Just two years later, John passed away at the young age of 33 on March 5, 1982, a tragedy that left Jim both grieving and determined to keep the music alive.
After John died, Dan Aykroyd pressed Jim into taking the Blues Brothers role that had belonged to his brother. “He said, ‘Jimmy, we’re like a law firm. When a partner passes, the sibling comes in.’ I didn’t want to; it was John’s name on that stage.” Eventually, Jim stepped into the role of “Zee Blues” opposite Aykroyd’s Elwood, touring the country and performing the songs that John loved.
Jim thinks the musical partnership carried on for the best. “I’ve loved singing and dancing with that big Canadian guy for twenty‑five years,” he said, referring to Dan Aykroyd. The duo still do Blues Brothers shows, honoring John’s legacy and keeping his fans close.
“The buzz from my debut movie was overwhelming,” says Jim about his newest project, a biographical musical set to release on December 25. “Song Sung Blue follows Mike and Claire Sardina, who start a Neil Diamond cover band called Lightning & Thunder in 1987.”
Director‑writer Craig Brewer, whose soul he says resonates with all musicians, drew Jim in. After a prior collaboration, the actor is happy to work again with Brewer. “He’s the soul of a musician,” Jim said. “We’ve got this great chemistry.”
On the big screen, Jim will star as the manager Tom D’Amato, working alongside Hugh Jackman, 57, and Kate Hudson, 46. The co‑stars bring powerful performances to the film. “Katie is an incredible actress, a lioness of a role,” Jim added. “Hugh is a natural.”
“It’s an exciting project for all of us,” Jim said, wrapping up his talk. “I can’t wait for audiences to see the story of a band that made the people in the audience feel something special, just like it did for us back then.”
Source: New York Post
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