Founded in 1969 in Toronto, Downchild, formerly known as the Downchild Blues Band, is said to have paved the way for Canadian Blues musicians. The band was co-founded by brothers Donnie and Richard Walsh and most notably served as inspiration for the famous Saturday Night Live Belushi/Aykroyd duo The Blues Brothers. In fact, two Downchild songs, “Shotgun Blues” and “(I Got Everything I Need) Almost” were even covered on The Blues Brothers’ 1978 multi-platinum album Briefcase Full of Blues.

Described as the premier blues band in Canada, Downchild literally brought the usually subdued National Arts Centre crowd to its feet on Friday night. Opening act Andy J. Forest certainly did his part to get the crowd revved up at one point strapping on a washboard and performing a zydeco tune en français no less. Forest was accompanied by Ottawa’s very own Juno award winner Tony D (Monkey Junk) on guitar who remained on stage to accompany the main act.

A familiar voice boomed through Southam Hall announcing that there would be a short intermission before Downchild would be ready to perform. Could it be? Was that Dan Aykroyd’s voice?

The lights dimmed and everyone regained their seats as the band members strolled on to the stage. A few technical glitches meant that lead vocalist Chuck Jackson needed a few minutes to get his mic working and the excited audience took the opportunity to banter with the band. Once the show got going. Donnie remains the sole constant band member although more than 120 musicians have been associated with Downchild since its beginnings and together they have released 18 albums. The current mix has been together for 20+ years.and it’s apparent in the tight jump-blues sound. They played many of their hits including Flip, Flop, Fly.

Although Downchild did not need any help entertaining their devoted fans, having special guest Dan Aykroyd, aka Elwood Blues, join them for a rousing rendition of Soul Man was a definite highlight of the night. Aykroyd, an Ottawa native, was certainly welcomed with open arms by his hometown crowd. Although some of his fancier Blues Brothers moves have been shelved, he still knows how to play a mean harmonica, get down and dirty singing the blues, and groove to the beat. For anyone who has followed his career through the years, it was a real treat to be in his presence.

Downchild performs at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

Downchild’s 50th anniversary tour hits a few more Ontario stops in early 2020 before heading east to New-Brunswick and PEI. Catch them if you can! https://www.downchild.com/tour.php

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