"The Blooze Brothers, Blues Brothers Tribute and Show Band from Chicago"


The Blooze Brothers story, goes back over ten years. There have been many players, subs and friends that have helped us get to where we are. It is because of everyone over the years, that we have any history at all. Chuck Little and John Aguila met in school in the 1960’s and became good friends. One of their common interests was music. The two performed in many bands together throughout their high school years, John on vocals and Chuck behind the drums. Chuck and John remained friends throughout the 70’s and 80’s, though their paths would take them on different journeys through life. After living out west for a while, John decided to move back to the Chicago area, where shortly after, he and Chuck reunited, this time as a two-man act paying tribute to The Blues Brothers (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyds’ signature Saturday Night Live skit). Aguila was to portray Belushi (aka Jake), and Little to portray Aykroyd (Elwood). The ‘music’ behind the two frontmen was supplied by a Karaoke style cassette tape. The act started as a gag at a friend’s party, but soon afterwards people started booking The ‘Blooze Brothers’ for various parties and events. The act was very successful — but both Aguila and Little knew that their next step was to get a backup band to replace the ‘canned’ accompaniment. At about the same time 150 miles south of Chicago, on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, an 8-piece horn band known as ‘The Tuition Blues Band’ was performing music of such artists as Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears and the Blues Brothers — at local clubs. In 1990, many of the bands’ members graduated and moved about the state starting various careers. A small fraction of them from the Chicago area decided to rebuild the band of existing members and fill in the gaps with local musicians. The band became known as I-55, and performed at festivals and clubs throughout the Chicago and Joliet area. I-55 was short lived and soon disbanded. A core of high school friends within the band, Tom Culver, Lou Tsatsakis and George Toscas along with Tom’s college roommate, Terry Peeples, wanted to see the band continue, but knew that in order to be successful, a change had to be made. Realizing that the crowd always responded best to their rendition of Blues Brothers covers, they decided to create a Blues Brothers Tribute band. There was just one problem: Who was going to portray Jake and Elwood? It was decided to place an ad in the Illinois Entertainer, a free monthly publication for music enthusiasts carried at most local clubs and record stores. The phone rang one November night at Culver’s house — it was Little responding to the ad in the Illinois Entertainer. Little invited Culver to check out their act at a club in St Charles called ‘Sam’s’. After the show, Culver handed Little a demo of I-55. Each liked what the other had to offer and shortly after, a set list was drawn up and rehearsals started. The lineup was: Aguila and Little as Jake and Elwood Blooze, Ed Stauber - guitar, Gordie Laurencell - keyboards, Tom Culver - Bass, Terry Peeples - drums, George Toscas - Trumpet, Lou Tsatsakis - Tenor Sax and Kerry Erb - alto sax. The band rehearsals started in December of 1991 and soon afterwards in the Spring of 1992 they landed a few ‘trial run’ type gigs. Although the act was not very polished, the show had a lot of energy and impressed audiences. The ensuing summer brought more gigs as well as a new keyboardist. Laurencell left the group as keyboardist but had recommended a coworker of his, Tommy Leerschen, as his replacement. This band stayed in tact for the next few years. 1994-1996 saw big changes in the band. Drummer Terry Peeples and alto saxophonist Kerry Erb left the band. They were replaced by Dave Picco on alto sax and Gus Gotsis on drums. George Toscas left shortly afterwards and was replaced by Ed Sloka. Also at this time it was mutually decided to augment the horn section with a trombone player. Chuck Block was brought in on trombone. This new line-up improved the overall sound of the band, as they began building a reputation as one of Chicago’s premier tribute bands. Soon Ed Sloka would bow out as trumpeter for the band and after numerous sit-ins was replaced by Brian Finn. In the late 90’s, drummer Gus Gotsis and guitarist Ed Stauber were replaced by Bill Hansen and Tim Burns respectively. In 2000 trombonist Chuck Block was replaced by Dave Gross and shortly afterwards tenor saxophonist Lou Tsatsakis was replaced by Andy Blanco. In 2001 Dave Gross left the band and was replaced by Kevin Cline. The band has had the same membership since that time.