‘Blues Brothers Con’ this year will be dedicated to Judy Belushi Pisano, the late widow of John Belushi, organizers announce

JOLIET, Ill. — The Joliet Area Historical Museum (JAHM) announced Monday that it will dedicate this year’s “Blues Brothers Con” to the late Judy Belushi Pisano, who died earlier this month at age 73 after a long battle with cancer.

Belushi Pisano was the widow of the late John Belushi, the Chicago native who achieved fame as a comedian, actor and musician, best known for his time on “Saturday Night Live” and his roles in the movies “Animal House” and “The Blues Brothers.”

Greg Peerbolte, CEO of the JAHM, said in a news release that Belushi Pisano served the museum’s Old Joliet Prison Historic Site for more than five years in an advisory capacity.

“Through the prison’s connection to one of the most important films ever made, ‘The Blues Brothers,’ Judy shared our viewpoint that contemplating this complex historic site as a redefined community gathering space, driven by education, art and music, would help to bring about healing and honor the film’s cultural legacy,” Peerbolte said in the release.

“Nowhere was this more evident than in the creation of the ‘Blues Brothers Con’ festival.”

Peerbolte also noted the Old Joliet Prison’s connection to “The Blues Brothers,” which he says played a major factor in the decision to reopen the former penitentiary, constructed in 1858, after the JAHM took control of the prison site in 2018. Prior to this, Peerbolte says, the Old Joliet Prison sat largely vacant after its closure in 2002 and was subjected to vandalism and several acts of arson.

Efforts to host the first “Blues Brothers Con” began in 2019 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the film, but they were stifled by the pandemic.

The inaugural “Blues Brothers Con” was eventually held in August 2022, as 6,000 attendees descended on the Old Joliet Prison to watch Dan Aykroyd and James Belushi perform as “The Blues Brothers” inside the prison walls. The inaugural event was also attended by founding Blues Brothers band members Steve Cropper and Tom “Bones” Malone.

Lucas Pisano, Judy’s son, has also served as an organizer of the “Blues Brothers Con” since its inception and says this year’s dedication of the convention to his late mother is a fitting tribute.

“Our family is honored that this festival will be dedicated to our beautiful Judy,” Lucas said in the release. “Few people are fully aware of her influence on ‘The Blues Brothers’ and John’s creative magic.

“She served the blues community diligently in honor of his memory, and in her own right championed this legacy. Her light and spirit are missed, but not forgotten. Through live music, good food and love, the festival will be a beautiful celebration of an extraordinary life.”

This year’s “Blues Brothers Con” was originally planned for 2023 but was again delayed, this time by the SAG-AFTRA strikes. “

“It took patience, grit and determination to see this historic event through,” Peerbolte said in the release. “Judy was with us every step of the way, fighting through her health challenges to assist us with planning and coordination.”

According to the release, while specific plans to honor Judy Belushi Pisano at “Blues Brothers Con” are underway, a loan of her personal artifacts from the film, which Peerbolte termed “the Holy Grail,” are making their way to the JAHM for display. Belushi Pisano previously loaned two of the iconic black suits worn by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi throughout the film, which are currently on display in the museum’s Route 66 Visitor’s Center.

Peerbolte reflected that while this year’s event will be bittersweet without her, Judy Belushi Pisano and the Old Joliet Prison’s shared legacy is worthy of celebration.

“We will be forever grateful to have hosted Judy’s final public performance before 6,000 adoring fans who came from around the world to celebrate the universe of ‘The Blues Brothers’ in the place where the film began — a universe she crafted,” Peerbolte said in the release.

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