The Blues Brothers are back on at the Anvil Centre.
The previous tribute show – dubbed Blues Brothers Too – was originally scheduled for July 29, but was cancelled on July 22 due to low ticket sales.
It turns out there was another reason. Promoter Rock.It Boy Entertainment received a cease and desist letter from Dan Aykroyd’s manager around the same time the cancellation announcement was made.
The letter outlined that the duo who made up Blues Brothers Too – Ian McDonnell and Grant Eisworth – were not endorsed by Dan Aykroyd and Judith Belushi Pisano (John’s wife).
“The Blues Brothers were never a real band,” Rock.It Boy’s Rob Warwick told the Record. “They were a fictional character, making it intellectual property of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi.”
Warwick added he never thought there would be any legal issues around Blues Brothers Too, given that they were “around forever.”
Days after learning he had to cancel the show, Warwick managed to contact the official Blues Brothers band.
“As luck would have it, they were heading to Alberta, so I managed to pick up some dates before,” the promoter said. “Upon further investigation, there’s a big difference between this act and any other tribute act. This is the real deal.”
Warwick noted he hasn’t heard from McDonnell or Eisworth since the July 29 show was scrapped.
“I heard that they changed their name to Soul Brothers or something, like right after. … Until they get approval, which again is highly unlikely because Dan Aykroyd already supports one, they technically can’t perform as the Blues Brothers.”
The band’s website has also been taken down, the Record confirmed, and requests for comment have yet to be returned.
As for ticket sales being low again, Warwick said he’s not worried.
“July’s notoriously a tough month and I should (have) known better than to try and compete with the summer months,” he said.
The Official Blues Brothers Revue is led by Wayne Catania (Jake) and Kieron Lafferty (Elwood).
“Backed by a powerhouse band, they’ll give you a show to remember, packed with classic hits from the Blues Brothers catalog, including Soul Man, Rubber Biscuit, Sweet Home Chicago, and more,” according to the website’s write-up.
Tickets to the Tuesday, Oct. 20 show at the Anvil Centre cost $52.50 (plus facility fees and service charges). They can be picked up at the Massey and Anvil ticket centres, online at www.ticketsnw.ca, or by calling 604-521-5050.
Doors open at 7 p.m.; curtain rises at 7:30 p.m.
