The Blues Brothers are returning to Joliet.
Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi are descending on Illinois’ Old Joliet Prison next week to perform at Blues Brothers Con: The Sequel.
First staged in 2022, Blues Brothers Con is a celebration of the group’s eponymous 1980 film directed by John Landis, and co-written by Landis and Aykroyd.
In the film, “Joliet” Jake Blues (John Belushi) and blood brother Elwood Blues (Aykroyd) get their old blues band back together to save an orphanage following Jake’s release from prison. The movie was shot partly at Old Joliet Prison, where the convention is taking place.
Though The Blues Brothers appeared on Saturday Night Live a handful of times and are often associated with the show, the characters were created by Aykroyd and Belushi outside of SNL in 1978.
The Blues Brothers movie spawned a 1998 sequel, Blues Brothers 2000, which co-starred John Goodman as Mighty Mack McTeer. (The franchise also saw multiple live albums, a 1980 book, and a 1991 video game.)
Blues Brothers Con will feature musical performances by a deep roster of blues acts, including Curtis Salgado, an accomplished singer-songwriter who served as one of the main inspirations for Belushi in co-creating The Blues Brothers (and who also became close friends with the comedian). Other acts include Ronnie Baker Brooks, Toronzo Cannon, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, and Al Spears and The Hurricane Project.
The day of music leads up to the main event: a performance by the real Blues Brothers, led by Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. (Jim has frequently filled in for his late brother in Blues Brothers shows over the years, performing as Zee Blues.)
The event will also includes a Bluesmobile Car Show, a Blues Bar Beverage Tent, and plenty of officially licensed Blues Brothers merch.
The convention coincides with a recent uptick in Blues Brothers content. Audible just released an audio documentary about the group, Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, narrated by Aykroyd. In March, author Daniel de Visé published a history of the act, The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic. And following the recent passing of talent manager Eric Gardner, Billboard reported that he had been working on two Blues Brothers projects: a Broadway musical and a primetime animated TV series, in partnership with Aykroyd and John’s widow, Judy Belushi Pisano (who also recently passed away).
Blues Brothers Con will take place on Saturday, August 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets for the rain-or-shine event are available now at jolietprison.org and jolietmuseum.org. Proceeds from the event will support the Joliet Area Historical Museum.
