When actor John Belushi came to Eugene to film Animal House in 1977, he saw a performance that had profound impact on his career. That performance was by Eugene native Curtis Salgado. Salgado, a blues musician, inspired Belushi, along with Dan Aykroyd, to create the famous Blues Brothers skit on Saturday Night Live that lead to a movie by the same name and several albums. Belushi’s character, Jake Blues, was a reflection of Salgado right down to his dark sunglasses.
Salgado, who does vocals and plays harmonica, spent six years singing for The Robert Cray Band and was briefly the lead singer for Santana, is now in need of help. Salgado, 52, is suffering from liver cancer and has been having trouble paying all his medical expenses. Jerry Zybach and Kate Close of Stand Up Productions teamed up with Steve Magnolia of Magnolia’s Audio and Music to hold a benefit for Salgado in the place where he grew up.
Zybach, who met Salgado in the 1970s when a large blues scene thrived in Eugene, said that Salgado is very talented, and that he has a great voice and is “my favorite harmonica player.” He said that Salgado helped to make the blues as big as they were in Eugene. Zybach decided to produce a show for Salgado after he found out about Salgado having trouble paying for his medical expenses.
The concert, Allstar Benefit Blues Jam for Curtis Salgado, will take place this Sunday at the McDonald Theatre from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. All proceeds go toward Salgado’s medical expenses. It is also a canned food drive for FOOD for Lane County, a favorite charity of Salgado’s.
Zybach encourages people, especially young musicians, to attend the concert because they may end up being inspired to create new styles of music as a result.
“Blues is the basis for all the music that is played in America,” he said. “They’re going to love the music.”
Blues musicians from throughout the Northwest will perform in tribute to one of their own. Those who will perform at Sunday’s concert include, among others, Bill Rhoades and The Party Kings, Ellen Whyte Trio, Terry Robb, Jerry Zybach, Walker T. Ryan, Skip Jones, Barbara Healy, Byron Case, JC Rico and Deb Cleveland. All styles of blues will be featured. A silent auction, raffle and surprise guests are also on the agenda for the evening. Tickets are $15 plus two non-perishable food items.