RIP John Belushi
Today is the 29th anniversary of John Belushi's death. What made me remember was VH1 playing The Blues Brothers multiple times this weekend.
I love John Belushi. I know he had his demons and his dark side, but when he wasn't on the drugs, he seemed like such a nice, genuine guy. Of course, I would never know since he died before I was born.
John Belushi was so talented and so hilarious. He's easily my favorite male cast member of the first 5 years of Saturday Night Live. (Gilda Radner is my favorite female cast member, hence the photograph.) Just watching him perform... it's magical. It's comedy gold. But he was taken from us much too soon. I wish I had the power to go back in time and save him. (I feel that way about so many stars, most notably Michael Jackson.)
I remember when I was in New York City, and I had the chance to tour NBC Studios. By chance, Studio 8H wasn't being used that day, so I got to visit. And by chance, it happened to be the 25th anniversary of John Belushi's death. I like to think I felt something in the air that day in the balcony of the studio, but I doubt it. After all, John Belushi is rumored to haunt the bungalow he was staying in at the Chateau Marmont when he passed, not Studio 8H.
While I was watching The Blues Brothers, I realized that one of the reasons why I love that film is because it was filmed in Chicago, and as Dan Aykroyd said, it's a love letter to Chicago. But another reason why I love the The Blues Brothers so much is because of John Belushi. Belushi (and Aykroyd) played such dirty guys with no respect for the law, but at the same time, they were so lovable.
Rest in peace, John. Maybe I'll get to meet you on the other side.