10 replies to this topic

[Bigman12]

Does anyone know where I can download this espisode of SNL where the Blues Brothers were introduced by Paul Shaffer? I have search everywhere for what has been billed as the best episode of SNL ever. Much appreciated

[bbcentral]

Apart from places like bittorrent or eMule/Sharaza, you may just have to wait until it's released on DVD.

[2FAB]

As is noted here, the first time the Blues Brothers were on SNL as the Blues Brothers (not the bees) was on April 22, 1978 -- 30 years ago this Tuesday night!

At 11:35 PM (Eastern Standard Time in the U.S.) the show started with Paul Shaffer (as Don Kirschner of "Rock Concert") introducing the Blues Brothers, and they did "Hey Bartender." Later in the show, introduced by host Steve Martin, they did "I Don't Know." And the rest is history...

At exactly 11:35 PM Tuesday night I'll be watching my DVD of the episode to mark the 30th anniversary. My DVD was made from a VHS tape. I got it from an eBay seller who's no longer on eBay. To anybody who also has the homemade DVD, or taped the rerun on VHS, I suggest you watch it too! The season will be officially released on DVD next month (not quite in time for this!).

Dan

[Steam McQueen]

Excellent. Thanks for the heads up, 2FAB!!

Here's the transcript of that amazing moment in history ...


http://snltranscripts.jt.org/77/77rrockconcert.phtml

[Chic_Lady]

The video isn't the greatest quality, but here it is:
http://www.jibjab.com/view/205874

[Scott]

Last time I saw it, I didn't really pay attention to the opening speech. There's some interesting information in there about the fictional history of the band before it was on SNL.

Quote

I'm Don Kirshner, and welcome to 'Rock Concert'. In 1969, Marshall Checkers of the legendary Checkers Records called me on a new blues act that had been playing in small, funky clubs on Chicago's south side. Today, with the help of Nessa Wee Wexler [not sure if I'm hearing this correctly], Jerry Ertegün, and the staff of Pacific Records, their manager Maury Daniels, and with the support of fellow artists Curtis Salgado and the Cray Band, they are no longer an authentic blues act, but have managed to become a viable commercial product. So now, let's join Joliet Jake and his silent brother Elwood, the Blues Brothers.

Obviously Maury Daniels was later renamed to Maury Sline and is not a separate person.

[2FAB]

I was wrong before when I wrote that the show started at 11:35 PM. It was 11:30 back then. And I should have known that, because the following time the Blues Brothers were on SNL, November 18, 1978, a clock was shown on the stage, and it said 11:30!

Well, at least now that's clear for the 30th anniversary of THAT episode in November!

And thanks, Chic_Lady, for posting the video link. I'm glad there's a way for people who don't have it on VHS or DVD to see it.

Dan

[Steam McQueen]

One guys memories and short article celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Blues Brothers.

http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/celebrating_the_blues_brothers_30th_anniversary/3221/

[Scott]

I did some more research on this skit. The older members already knew this, but there was a real television show called Rock Concert hosted by Don Kirshner. I had no idea; others here might not have known either.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Kirshner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Kirshner%27s_Rock_Concert

It's interesting to note that Don Kirshner is here played by Paul Shaffer, and his flat delivery is an authentic impression of the real Don Kirshner.

The mention of 1969 is most likely a mistake or lack of foresight. Elwood was only 15 years old at the time. He does not graduate high school until 1971. In 1965, Jake and Elwood were still with The Ravens.

I couldn't find a Marshall Checkers, and I almost gave up on Checkers Records until I found mention that it was a subsidiary of Chess Records. Sure enough, Marshall is Marshall Chess, who was president of Chess Records until he left to start Rolling Stone Records in 1970.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Chess
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checker_Records

I couldn't find anything regarding a Nessa Wee Wexler, but there was a Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records. On a related note, there was no Jerry Ertegun, but Ahmet Ertegün was president of Atlantic Records. I looked up Pacific Records, and the original company by that name was a division of Warner, distributed by... Atlantic Records.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Wexler
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmet_Erteg%C3%BCn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Records

No explanation is needed for Curtis Salgado or the Cray Band, but here's the Wikipedia links anyway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Salgado
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Cray

[Harper-Chris]

Hi Steam McOueen,
thanks for the link...
GREAT

[Harper-Chris]

Chic_Lady said:

The video isn't the greatest quality, but here it is:
http://www.jibjab.com/view/205874

Great video !!!