Monday, May 14, 2012

The Blues Brothers/Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn

Wait, did you think that I got that wrong?  I'm sure you think the Blues Brothers should be Dan Akroyd  and John Belushi, right?  Technically yes, but I think that my title of this post is closer to the truth.  Do you remember the movie "The Blues Brothers" from 1980?  The Blues Brothers began as a skit on Saturday Night Live with those two actors mentioned but then, Dan Akroyd was quite serious about the Blues and was able to get John Belushi just as interested.  The Blues Brothers Band was born...


The lead guitarist was Steve Cropper and the bassist was Donald "Duck" Dunn, both friends since their days in high school together in Memphis, Tennessee and when they were bandmates with Booker T. and the MG's. (Remember the song "Green Onions"?)    They were playing together just this past weekend and after a concert Saturday night in Tokyo, "Duck" Dunn died in his sleep.   Steve Cropper's quote was this: "Today I lost my best friend, the world has lost the best guy and bass player to ever live".   Do you wonder where you might have heard the bass guitar from "Duck" Dunn?  How about these songs, " In The Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett, "Sitting On The Dock of The Bay" by Otis Redding, and "Hold On, I'm Coming" by Sam & Dave.   If you watch the movie, "The Blues Brothers" you will see both Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn playing their guitars and being a part of the band...the Blues Brothers Band.  Yes, I think it is safe to say that the REAL Blues Brothers are Steve Cropper and "Duck" Dunn.   The Blues Brothers might have started as a comedy skit, but it became a band with real musicians and it created a respect for the music that I, for one, can really appreciate.

And if you haven't seen the movie, "The Blues Brothers", then what are you waiting for?   It is such a funny movie, and yes, there are some long car chases and a few things that might seem a bit dated now, in our 150-frames-a-second kind of films but so what?  Just watch it for the music!  There are so many people in this film with great musical performances, besides Steve Cropper and "Duck" Dunn, there is Matt Murphy, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Murphey Dunne, James Brown, and Cab Callaway!

Do you know that there is a place on a blog that shows what people have typed into a search engine to arrive at your blog?  Recently, someone typed in "Good Movies" and found this blog!  I hope if someone types that in again,they will see this post and decide to watch "The Blues Brothers" from 1980 and watch Jake and Elwood, the fictional Blues Brothers but then will notice the REAL Blues Brothers and see, Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn playing guitar together, side by side.

   I must thank my brother, Scott for first pointing out to me the seriousness of the Blues Brothers on the TV show, Saturday Night Live and making me stay up late to watch them all those years ago!   Thanks also, to my husband and son, who are the guitarists in my house, side by side!

  Watch this next video and see if it doesn't make you get up and dance along!

12 comments:

  1. Oh! I came straight over to see your header, after your post on my blog, Kay, and it is indeed beautiful. It's raining again here now, so we managed to catch one of the rare bits of sunshine to see the bluebells. I always find them so hard to photograph, so I'm impressed that you got such a good range of colours and brightness in the photo.

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    1. Dear Jenny,
      Oh good, I was hoping you would like them! They had a sign at the beginning of the Bluebell Walk that said they were "At Their Best" and it was so very true!
      Those two weeks in May of 2010, it rained only the one day that we were there, all the rest of the time it was mostly sunny!

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  2. Would you believe, I haven't seen this film, so I have just added it to our rental list. Sad to hear of Duck Dunn passing, but good to know he was still doing what he enjoyed.

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    1. Dear Tracey,
      Lucky you! I think it is very funny and with those wonderful singers and musicians.
      Yes, Duck Dunn was doing what he enjoyed, and wtih his old friend of many years. Duck Dunn's quote was that it was "Just a joy to play". I love that and that we can still enjoy his music from film and CD's.

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  3. It always saddens me to find out one of the great ones has gone. He lives on in his music.

    As for the Blues Brothers, they were hilarious. We've used "Jake" and "Elwood" as names for two identical foster cats that were Russian Blues. No one could tell them apart!

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  4. Dear Mimi,
    His music will live on!
    I love the names Jake and Elwood for those dark cats. Perfect!
    :-)

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  5. I have never seen the film, Kay. Do you believe it? I must be one of the few (especially of my age group) that hasn't. I'm not sure why, but I just never got around to this movie. I should add this to my list of films that I'd like to watch - eventually. I keep hearing about how great it is!

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    1. Dear Martha,
      Oh, I hope you will think it if funny too. There are some things that are very dated in it (the car chases go on for a while) but it is still funny and JOYFUL!
      Let me know what you think if you see it! :-)

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  6. Thanks for this post, Kay...I didn't know 'til now who the "real" Blues Brothers were. It's sad that Duck passed away, but wonderful that he was doing what he loved until the very end.

    I'd love to see a video of your husband and son playing. My son Benjamin plays guitar, too.

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    1. Hey Beth!
      Glad to spread the word about Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn, I think everyone should know who they are.
      I would love to see a video of my husband and son playing too, they rarely play in front of anyone, especially my son.
      Let's see Benjamin playing the guitar! Does he write music too?

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  7. Hi Kay, I LOVE your header pic - it's stunning and you look gorgeous :)

    I remember the Blues Brothers very well. They were a pretty big deal when I was in high school. Sad to hear of Duck's passing - I had no idea he was involved in these other great tunes - but most talented musicians usually have their fingers in a lot of pies.

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    1. Dear Jane,
      Thanks! HA HA the tricks of photography are amazing!

      Oh, I just KNEW you would know the Blues Brothers!
      Glad you are back now and glad you had fun on your trip! :-)

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