When the Skolits brothers get the blues, it’s time for a family reunion with Jake and Elwood.
Robert, John, Ted and Steve Skolits all showed up together on a Blues Brothers tribute show for the first time in nearly three decades Friday night before a sold out crowd at the Lake Miona Recreation Center.
Robert turned into Elwood; John morphed into Jake while Ted, who lives in The Villages, played the drums and led a 16-piece local band. Steve, the quiet Skolits, stood by a corner of the stage and held up signs with lyrics for the audience to read.
They performed again Saturday at North Lake Presbyterian Church in a benefit for the Children of the Ocala Forest. A third and final show is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Savannah Center.
Friday was the first time in nearly three decades that the Skolits crew had performed the tribute, based on the 1980 movie with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. “We’ve waited a long time for this and we’re going to do right,” Robert said before the show. “Our time has come, and this is great,” John added.
Robert flew in from New York City for the gig, while John came in from Virginia. Put them together with the rollicking, powerhouse band, including a nine-piece horn section, and you have the makings of a wild night.
The joint was jumping right off the bat with Robert singing “Hey Bartender.” Next came, “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love,” and despite some microphone and sound problems, the Skolits boys delivered the soulful goods.
One of the highlights of the night, came with “Going Back to Miami.” Robert and John were jumping and running across the stage like a couple of hyper-aerobics instructors. The pair finished the number resting on their backs while wiggling their hands and feet in the air.
The brothers had some help midway through the show.
Ralph DiNome appeared as a long-lost Big-Daddy Blues Brother. DiNome fit right in with the boys, belting out such tunes as “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
Dawn DiNome, Ralph’s daughter and singer in the Flashback band, showed up and did justice to a couple of Aretha Franklin classics: “Respect” and “Think.”
An unexpected treat came when the band played an instrumental from of the 1940s’ big band era: “Swing, Swing, Swing.” It sounded straight out of Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa as saxman Tony Nasser almost blew the roof off the building, helped by a torrid drum solo by Ted Skolits.
Villager Tony Violanti cover entertainment for Villages-News.com. He can be reached at [email protected]