The Blues Brothers (1980): 20 Things You Never Knew!

Get ready to take a deep dive into one of the most iconic musical comedies of all time – The Blues Brothers! From behind-the-scenes stories, surprising casting choices, and wild production tales, here are 20 things you never knew about this cult classic.

#TheBluesBrothers #JohnBelushi #DanAykroyd #MovieFacts #BehindTheScenes #nostalgia #movietrivia

[Anaximander]

"It's 106 miles to Chicago. We got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses."

[thebigchecka]

So many people i know have written this movie off, but for me, its one of my favourites! Ever!

[Boni-il]

I grew up in Socialist East-Germany. Blues was THE music at the time in this country. When the movie was finally available for us in the early 1990s we all loved it. Movie theatres kept playing it for weeks on end. We went there multiple times.

It was the time I graduated as an engineer from university now travelling the world to install and repair all kinds of production machinery. But I also became an amateur electric blues harp player. Where ever I had to go on this planet I carried my little box with all of my Hohners and a green bullet mic like Elwood is using it (00:24). The sound of it is absolutely brilliant; snotty, dirty, loud and rocking as the Blues is supposed to be and life is in general.

I played all over Asia, in Australia, the US, New Zealand, Argentina and the whole of East and Western Europe. The movie itself is a legend on all continents, in all cultures and in so many countries regardless of their political systems. Why? Because it is so human as its music and all of these characters are.

Now I am too old and too sick to travel and play, but the Blues Brothers bring back those happy memories being on stage and jamming with all these brilliant local Blues Brothers and Sisters in so many different corners of the planet. Blues is hard work and Blues is hard party. And it takes seconds to make friends with total strangers.

Oh, and of course, my sons and their girlfriends love the movie (actually both movies) too after I introduced them to the music and the films. Sometimes on a Friday night we still will munch our chips and drown some beers with Elwood and Jake wrecking the world with their music on the screen.

Peace to all of you! from Dresden / Germany

Harps, no arms!

[karlepaul]

1-The Bluesmobile actually hit 118 mph going down Lake Street
2-Steven Spielberg was the clerk who Jake & Elwood paid at the end of the movie
3-Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) played Jake & Elwood's waiter in the restaurant
Great video, keep em coming!

[bigdgs]

We play both kinds, Country and Western. Classic

[StoffelDilligas]

"Orange whip? Orange whip?
Three orange whips"

[itsawonderfulknife]

As a drummer, and a Blues Brothers fan, it breaks my heart every time that rear end swipes through that beautiful Pearl kit in the window.

[alexandermikhailov]

When I feel depressed The Blues Brothers is my best medicine. Just love it!

[OperativeD]

My late Father always used to call this movie "The epitome of car chases" and it's still one of my favorites.

[jeffr]

just gave me a reason to watch it again. one of my all time favorites

[albertostep]

I grew up watching this film, ive seen it more times than I can remember. My late father loved it, I love it. One of the most awesome films ever made. It's a masterpiece with some of the greatest musical artists and actors to grace our homes and cinemas the world over.

[gtroblq]

The kid who tires to steal the guitar out of Ray's shop went on to play the limo driver (Argyle) in Die Hard

[drmusic]

THE greatest musical of all time!
Surprisingly there were a few facts I didnt know here. One was about Belushi injuring himself on a skateboard.
Lots of cameos in it, Paul Ruebens as the waiter, Steven Spielberg as the Cook County Assessor, Joe Walsh in the closing prison sequence, Chaka Khan in the choir, singer Stephen Bishop as a trooper, Blues legends John Lee Hooker and Pinetop Perkins and more.

[tonylombardi]

#21:
A Los Angeles rock radio station explained to listeners that the "BBM" needed extras for the concert scenes in #17 of this list.
The concert scene was staged at the Hollywood Palladium on Sunset Boulevard, in Hollywood.
My friends and I worked two days sitting in the audience. We were paid $50 each day ($215 in 2024 value) and a box lunch. Aykroyd and Belushi drove director John Landis crazy as the band would play music for the audience between takes and wouldn't stop for the next shot until they were finished with the song.
We sat on the floor, not too far from the stage. It was so much fun.

[BradHouser]

The name of the salon where Carrie Fisher works is "Curl Up and Dye".

[barjel]

9:30 In Nuremberg, Germany there was a cinema (Ka-Li) where Blues Brothers was running for 460 weeks in a row with at minimum one show per week. Just to add to the legend ;)

[marys]

The only movie musical that guys can admit to watching and liking. There aren't many movies that fall in that category.

[Jones-xxgc]

Such a brilliant film. The script, the acting, the stunts and best of all the soundtrack. Brilliant. Just shows what the critics know.

[aprilstearns]

I'm now 71, and The Blues Brothers was a CLASSIC film for everyone. I've seen it many, many, many times over the years. LOVED all the music!

[ScottVersele]

Saw it in the theatre and loved it! Bought a VHS tape and watched at home with my 2 young boys...they must have watched it 50 times!