When John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd first took the stage as Jake and Elwood Blues in "The Blues Brothers" (1980), they brought to life an unforgettable duo. Aykroyd and Belushi, already celebrated for their chemistry on "Saturday Night Live," were known for creating comedy gold together. Yet, the story behind the making of "The Blues Brothers" went beyond just laughter it was a project fueled by Aykroyd’s passion for rhythm and blues, Belushi's magnetic presence, and a wild, unpredictable journey that nearly derailed the entire film.
Belushi was the undeniable star on set, famously dubbed "America’s Guest" because of his knack for getting free meals, drinks, and favors wherever he went. Even during filming, his energy was boundless. One night, he vanished from set while shooting in a Chicago suburb. After hours of searching, Aykroyd found him asleep on a couch inside a stranger's house. The owner didn’t even mind, having been won over by Belushi’s charm earlier that night.
Dan Aykroyd, who wrote the original script, presented a 300-page draft to director John Landis. This document wasn’t a typical screenplay but a deep dive into the Blues Brothers' world, outlining their backgrounds, the origins of their love for the blues, and even a guide to Chicago's music scene. Landis had to trim it down, focusing the story on the brothers' mission to save their beloved orphanage by reuniting their old band. The movie became a celebration of blues music, featuring legends like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown, who each had their moments to shine alongside the chaotic antics of Belushi and Aykroyd.
The movie’s car chases became legendary. It held the record for the most cars destroyed in a single film for years, with a staggering 103 vehicles meeting their end. Aykroyd and Belushi weren’t content with faking the high-speed chaos many scenes were filmed at real speeds, and Belushi insisted on performing most of the stunts himself. His commitment to authenticity even led to injuries, but he shrugged them off, determined to make each scene perfect.
Off-camera, Belushi’s wild lifestyle mirrored his on-screen persona. Aykroyd once recalled how Belushi’s drug use started to spiral out of control during production. They were shooting at night, and Belushi often partied until dawn, only to stumble onto set with a second wind of energy. His charisma never waned, but the toll it took was visible to those closest to him. Aykroyd later mentioned in interviews that he felt a deep sense of responsibility to keep the film on track while protecting his friend, even as the pressures of the shoot mounted.
Ray Charles, a key figure in the film, remembered Belushi's eagerness to learn from the legends. He respected Belushi’s dedication to the blues. "He had a way of making people laugh and feel good, but when it came to music, he was dead serious," Charles noted in an interview. This dedication showed during the filming of musical numbers. Belushi's vocals on "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" captured his raw energy, pushing the song to a new height, while Aykroyd's harmonica skills added authenticity to every scene they played.
The production wasn’t without its hurdles. Universal Pictures executives worried about the film’s soaring budget and Aykroyd’s unorthodox approach to storytelling. Delays, nighttime shoots, and frequent rewrites made them nervous, but the cast’s undeniable talent reassured the producers. During a pivotal scene at Ray’s Music Exchange, Belushi’s impromptu dance moves left the crew in awe. His comedic timing and Aykroyd’s steady rhythm became the backbone of the film, cementing their on-screen partnership as iconic.
On-set pranks became the norm. Belushi was notorious for his antics, like filling Aykroyd’s trailer with live chickens or switching props at the last minute. Landis was often exasperated but appreciated the duo’s chemistry, noting that their antics were "part of the package." Even the cast and crew couldn’t help but laugh, knowing that the energy Belushi and Aykroyd brought to each take would translate into pure magic on screen.
When it came time to film the finale, featuring a massive car pile-up in downtown Chicago, the city had granted special permission for the chaos to unfold. Local residents lined the streets, witnessing Belushi and Aykroyd sprinting through crowds as the police cars stacked up behind them. Aykroyd called that moment a "love letter to Chicago," paying tribute to the city’s vibrant energy and history...
