John Warren Geils Jr., of the iconic rock Band the J. Geils Band, has died at the age of 71. The guitarist was found dead in his home in Massachusetts, reportedly from natural causes.
John Geils best known in the Rock world for hit song 'Centerfold'
The Groton Police Department released a statement confirming John Geils' death. Geils is best known for the J. Geils Band's most popular hit "Centerfold" which went to the number one spot on Billboard's Hot 100 singles in 1982 and stayed there for six weeks, spending a total of 25 weeks on the Billboard Chart in total.
John Geils battling former J. Geils Band members in court over use of band name
NPR Music reports that Geils was found around 4 p.m. unresponsive on Tuesday afternoon during a stop at his home for a well-being check. Geils was pronounced dead at the scene by Groton Police Chief Donald Palma and according to official reports, no foul play is suspected in the rocker's death at this time.
The J. Geils Band recorded 12 albums during their long career together, spending many years opening for bands, including Billy Joel, U2, ZZ Top, and the Eagles. Geils first formed the band in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1967, with members Danny Klein, Stephen Jo Bladd, Seth Justman, Dick Salwitz, and Peter Wolf as lead vocalist.
Following the success of the band's "Freezeframe" album, things began to take a hostile turn among group members. Wolf decided to move on from the band to pursue a solo career. The band recorded their final album in 1984, "You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd" before splitting up in 1985. The band would occasionally reunite from time to time to perform a reunion show.
In 2012 John Geils decided to officially quit the group and later embarked on a lawsuit against his former band members for using the band's trademarked name and attempting to go on tour under the official band and name without him. As the lawsuit raged on in 2013 the J. Geils Band sans Geils opened up for rock legends Bon Jovi, playing an hour show as the opener for Bon Jovi's "Because We Can" United States tour.
In September of 2016, John Geils was arrested in his hometown of Massachusetts for DUI after police were called to the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving the rocker after he had failed to stop at an intersection and rear-ended the car in front of him. John was arrested and later appeared in court where he was ordered to not to drive without a license and to completely abstain from any and all alcohol.
Details concerning John's memorial service are still pending.
