“There would be no Blues Brothers if it weren’t for Downchild,” says Dan Aykroyd.
After 19 albums, countless awards and 55 years of spreading the blues around the world on tour, Toronto's legendary Downchild Blues Band is saying farewell to the road and their fans.
The band plays two shows Nov. 12 and 13 at Hugh's Room Live (Tuesday, Nov. 12 is sold out).
Downchild came to international prominence as the inspiration for Hollywood stars Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi’s hit film, The Blues Brothers. Two Downchild songs, Shotgun Blues and I Got Everything I Need (Almost) were covered on The Blues Brothers’ 1978 multi-platinum album Briefcase Full of Blues.
The band was founded by Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh and his brother, Richard “Hock” Walsh. Richard passed away in 1999.
From the early days of recording their debut album Bootleg in the parking garage at Rochdale College at Bloor and Huron streets in downtown Toronto, to sharing the stage with blues legends B.B. King, Buddy Guy, James Cotton and more in some of the finest venues around the world, the band has cultivated a loyal following over the years.
In 2019, Donnie was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Downchild continues to be led by Donnie Walsh on guitar and harmonica, singer Chuck Jackson, who also plays harmonica, tenor sax man Pat Carey, Gary Kendall on bass, drummer Jim Casson and Tyler Yarema on keyboards.
Check for tickets to Tuesday's show, with special guest Jeff Rogers, at this link.
