Fans of “The Blues Brothers” have been looking forward to the return of a festival billed as the world’s greatest tribute to the iconic 1980 film.
After being postponed in 2023 due to the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists’ strike, Blues Brothers Con: The Sequel takes place Aug. 17 at the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site, one of the movie’s few surviving filming locations.
“It’s a little bittersweet with the passing of Judy Belushi (Pisano). She’s not just a name attached to ‘The Blues Brothers.’ She was instrumental in helping to plan the event,” said Greg Peerbolte, CEO of Joliet Area Historical Museum, which has operated Old Joliet Prison since 2018.
“We’ve had a relationship with Judy for over five years now. She’s someone who not only got the value of the event but really understood our initiative to establish the site as a site for conscience and using things like art and music and film to help heal the site.”
After Judy Belushi Pisano died July 5 at age 73, the museum announced it was dedicating the 2024 Blues Brothers Con to her memory and lasting artistic legacy.
Pisano was married to John Belushi, who portrayed Joliet Jake in “The Blues Brothers,” until his 1982 death.
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“We are working with her longtime friends and producers Kate Taylor and Ben Taylor. We plan to do a video tribute as well as some acoustic performances of actual songs that Judy herself wrote,” said Peerbolte. Kate Taylor is singer-songwriter James Taylor’s sister, and Ben Taylor is his son.
Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi return as Elwood and Brother Zee, respectively, from the inaugural Blues Brothers Con in 2022 for a headlining performance as The Blues Brothers.
Other performers include Curtis Salgado, namesake of “The Blues Brothers” character Curtis; Ronnie Baker Brooks; Toronzo Cannon & The Chicago Way; Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials; and the Joliet area’s Al Spears & The Hurricane Project.
“Curtis Salgado (is) not a Chicago blues person but he had a very interesting connection to John Belushi personally,” said Peerbolte of Channahon.
“When John was filming ‘Animal House,’ Curtis Salgado was performing blues at one of the bars. The Joliet Jake persona is borrowed heavily from Curtis Salgado.”
The event also features founding Blues Brothers band member Tom “Bones” Malone; Daniel de Visé, author of “The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic;” and the Daley Plaza Bluesmobile Car Show.
Offerings include the Maxwell Street Merch Market with limited-edition licensed merchandise and downtown Joliet businesses and the Blues Bar Beverage Tent with a limited-edition, official licensed beer from Blues Brothers Approved Ventures and Will County Brewing.
“You want to keep the film ‘The Blues Brothers’ alive but you also want to keep the blues itself alive and hand it off to another generation,” Peerbolte said.
He noted that the Soul Food Café Court has doubled to 15 vendors, including several Joliet favorites.
The event’s proceeds support the nonprofit Joliet Area Historical Museum, which presents educational programs and public tours at Old Joliet Prison.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Blues Brothers Con: The Sequel
When: noon Aug. 17
Where: Old Joliet Prison Historic Site, 1125 N. Collins St., Joliet
Tickets: $55 adults; $25 children; $75 front section standing room
Information: 312-978-1282; jolietprison.org