Rock And Roll have lost another legend. John Warren Geils Jr., the leader of the J Geils Band, was found dead Tuesday, in his Groton MA. home. According to USA Today, the local police chief said law enforcement went to the home for a well-being check. It was at this time that Geils was found alone, and unresponsive. There is no sign of foul play, and it is believed he died of natural causes. More information is to come.
The longevity of the band
The J Geils band has been around longer than most people may realize. Geils started the band that bore his name in 1967.
Initially, the name was the J Geils Blues Band. The group gained success by touring as an opening act for the Byrds and the Allman Brothers. The band had 17 songs to crack Billboard's top 100, and ten that made it to the top 40. Their biggest hit was the single 'Centerfold,' which was number one for six weeks, in 1983.
The song was from the album Freeze Frame, which was number one for four weeks. The single Freeze Frame and accompanying video were also top 10 hits. The band's sound at this time had evolved into a combination of classic rock and new wave, which was popular in the 1980's. The "Centerfold" music video was from the early days of MTV. It was straightforward and fun. A stark contrast to the slick, polished, high-tech, risqué music videos of today.
The group disbanded in 1985 but continued to get together for reunions. The J Geils band was nominated four times for the Rock and Roll hall of fame, but they were never selected.
Personal life of John Warren Geils Jr.
Not much is listed about J.Geils personal life. According to Wikipedia, he was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey.
His father loved jazz music, and John was exposed to Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Benny Goodman from a young age. His father also took him to a Louis Armstrong concert. Geils is reported to have had a love for and owned high-performance vehicles. He was also reported to have raced a few of them. In 2012 Geils stopped performing with his band.
He later began a lawsuit related to ownership of the name J, Geils band. In 2016 he was involved in an auto accident, in Groton MA., where he rear-ended another driver under the influence. The musician was obviously a private person. There is no record listed off his mother, whether or not he had siblings, or if he ever married or had children. The police chief in Groton has stated, that until further notice, Mr. Geils death is being listed as being from natural causes.
