How ‘The Blues Brothers’ helped fuel a blues boom in Chicago and beyond

Ray Charles, seen in a 1979 photo, the year “The Blues Brothers” was filmed. His rendition of “Shake A Tail Feather” is on the movie soundtrack. | AP

Editor’s note: The story was originally published on June 22, 2005, as part of a weeklong series to commemorate the 25th anniversary of “The Blues Brothers.” The Sun-Times is republishing the stores to mark the 40th anniversary of the movie in 2020.

What impact did “The Blues Brothers” have on the blues?

“It made the blues come alive,” said James Wheeler, a local blues musician who goes by the stage name Piano C. Red.

“It turned a lot of people on to the blues,” said Wayne Baker Brooks, a local guitarist and son of blues great Lonnie Brooks.

Jim O’Neal, who founded Living Blues magazine in Chicago in 1966, said the movie “was one of the factors that contributed to a blues boom” in the 1980s.

The movie soundtrack sold more than a million copies.

“It was the original that set the bar,” said Angela Mclain, director of soundtracks for Atlantic Recording.

For artists Aretha Franklin and John Lee Hooker, who already had accomplished careers, it was nevertheless the first time they were featured on the big screen.

“It broadened my audience and it certainly introduced people to me who were not aware of who I was,” Franklin said in a 1998 documentary.

Still, Mike Kappus, Hooker’s agent at the time, said while Hooker greatly appreciated the high-profile appearance, “the impact of the movie on his career was almost nonexistent.”

And O’Neal said there is a downside. Now, “The image of blues bands to many people are two white guys in hats,” he said.

But Blues Brothers creator Dan Aykroyd said the movie, along with the House of Blues that he directs, sought to shine a spotlight on Black musicians and their music, which he calls “America’s primary export.”

“I want people to fill [blues] showrooms and bars and buy their records. That’s my mission,” Aykroyd said.

A Rhythm and Blues Soundtrack from “The Blues Brothers”

1. “She Caught the Katy” (performed by Blues Brothers)

2. “Peter Gunn Theme” (Blues Brothers)

3. “Gimme Some Lovin’” (Blues Brothers)

4. “Shake A Tail Feather” (Ray Charles)

5. “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” (Blues Brothers)

6. “The Old Landmark” (James Brown with the Rev. James Cleveland Choir)

7. “Think” (Aretha Franklin)

8. “Theme From Rawhide” (Blues Brothers)

9. “Minnie the Moocher” (Cab Calloway)

10. “Sweet Home Chicago” (Blues Brothers)

11. “Jailhouse Rock” (Blues Brothers)