The Blues Brothers were an American rhythm and blues revivalist band founded in 1976 by comedy actors Dan Akroyd and John Belushi….as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. Belushi and Akroyd, in character as lead vocalist “Joliet” Jake Blues (named after Joliet Prison) and harmonica player/backing vocalist Elwood Blues (named after the Elwood Ordnance Plant…..which made TNT and grenades during World War II), fronted the band, which was composed of well-known and respected musicians. The Blues Brothers first appeared on SNL on January 17, 1976…..making their second appearance the on the April 22, 1978 episode of SNL….and their third and final appearance on November 18, 1978….after which the band began to take on a life beyond television, releasing an album, “Briefcase Full of Blues” in 1978…and then having a Hollywood film, “The Blues Brothers” created around its characters in 1980.
