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Most of the songs on their groundbreaking debut focused on the dangerous underside of life.

"One minute he was there and the next he was gone," the bassist's friend recalled.

At first, some questioned whether John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd meant it or not.

A lot of things went wrong before this live project helped made them one of the '80s' biggest concert acts.

They've often surprised and delighted, beginning with an impromptu performance on the streets of New York City.

"As far as music critics were concerned," he said, "I was about as welcome as a hole in a parachute."

'Deguello' was their last album of the '70s – and in more ways than one.

Co-writers Bernie Taupin and Martin Page describe the original demo as "very dark."

They released 'Shakedown Street' 45 years ago today, and then the questions began.

Their ambitious fourth album remains a cautionary tale.