Follow the Blues Brothers to Old Joliet Prison

Chicagoland is a term used to describe the towns surrounding the Windy City, many of which have personalities all of their own. One such gem is just an hour southwest of Chicago and it’s got quite a history. It includes a prison and a lot of celebrities that have passed through there.

History of the Prison

Old Joliet Prison was first opened in 1858 and was used as a maximum-security penitentiary until 2002. Its history includes nods to the civil rights movement as prisoners fought against what shouldn’t be done in the U.S. justice system. Many men died within these grounds, and some lived to tell their stories through books.

History isn’t the only unusual thing about Old Joliet Prison. Before you even enter the gates, you will find the architecture striking. That’s not at all surprising. It was designed by the same architect who did the Water Tower in Chicago, William W. Boyington.

With all the past stories and structural finds, the city of Joliet fought for funds to refurbish the prison so that it could be opened back up. In 2019, the prison began tours for the public. They range from self-guided to a Prison After Dark Tour to a General History Tour, which takes you around the courtyard and buildings such as the guard tower, school, chapel, and cells for solitary confinement.

The Blues Brothers Movie

Between the time the prisoners left and when the town opened it up to the public there was another group that came to Old Joliet Prison. They were there for a completely different purpose: to make a movie.

The Blues Brothers were characters John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd created on the tv show Saturday Night Live and director John Landis brought into movie filmed at the Old Joliet Prison and around Chicago. It was the story of Joliet Jakes Blues (Belushi) and his brother Elwood (Aykroyd), who were on “a mission from God” to prevent the foreclosure of an orphanage they were raised in. Many other celebrities were in the film, including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Carrie Fisher, and John Candy.

In the years following the film, the Blues Brothers Band continued to perform, mostly with Jim Belushi, whose brother John had died of a drug overdose in 1982. The Belushis had grown up in the Chicago area. The Old Joliet Prison tours can show you many of the areas used in the first filming.

A Blues Brothers sequel was made in 2000 with John Goodman as Jim Belushi was under contract to do another film. Most of that movie was filmed in and around Chicago too.

The Blues Brothers Return to Joliet

A 40th anniversary celebration of the Blues Brothers at Old Joliet Prison was postponed due to the Covid Pandemic, but it did not disappoint when it finally happened two years later. Approximately 5,000 guests came to the penitentiary, many dressed as Blues Brothers, and some paying $5,000 to enjoy the VIP tent to enjoy some of Dan Aykroyd’s Crystal Head Vodka and do a meet and greet with the stars of the show, Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. Judy Belushi-Pisano, widow of John Belushi, performed a few opening songs while the everyone waited for the main act.

Aykroyd and Belushi’s arrival was fitting in the “Bluesmobile” from the movie, a 1974 Dodge Monaco. They waved at the crowd before taking the stage with their band and belting out some of the songs they are known for, “Soul Man,” “Gimme Some Lovin,” “Riders in the Sky,” and, of course, “Sweet Home Chicago.”

On the second day of the Blues Brothers Con, there was a free screening of the movie in the courtyard. The two-day event was so successful there was talk of it becoming a yearly event. The actors’ strike kept it away in 2023, but it will be back August 17, 2204.

While in Joliet…

Old Joliet Prison isn’t the only reason to go to Joliet. Don’t leave Joliet without checking out some of the other attractions. The newest is the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum.

I didn’t realize until attending the first of their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame events just how many great musicians have Illinois ties. The inductees so far have included Cheap Trick, Buddy Guy, Chicago, REO Speedwagon, Ides of March, John Primer, Styx, Chuck Berry, and Dan Fogelberg.

The Joliet Area Historical Museum is also worth a stop. It will take you through the history of this area which includes another famous entity – Route 66. From Joliet you can head down this road all the way to California. Be sure to stop at the Joliet Route 66 Diner while you are exploring.

For more about the Chicagoland town of Joliet, visit their official tourism website.