The J. Geils Band

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The J.Geils Band
The cover of their debut album
The cover of their debut album
Background information
Origin Worcester, Massachusetts
Genre(s) Rock, Blues rock
Years active 1967–1986, 1999, 2006
Label(s) Atlantic Records
Website jgeils.com
Members
J. Geils
Danny Klein
Richard "Magic Dick" Salwitz
Stephen Jo Bladd
Peter Wolf
Seth Justman
Andrew Tibbetts

The J. Geils Band was an American rock band who were formed in 1967 in Worcester, Massachusetts, that had a successful R&B-influenced blues rock sound in the 1970s, before moving towards a more pop-influenced sound in the 1980s, which brought them MTV airplay and their 1982 international hit single "Centerfold."

Contents

[edit] Career

The band started as an acoustic blues trio in the mid 1960s, with singer and guitarist John Geils, (born 20 February 1946, in New York), bassist Danny Klein (Dr. Funk) and harpist Richard Salwitz (stage name Magic Dick).

A common myth that John Geils' name is Jerome stems from one concert where the lead singer of the J. Geils Band shouted "Play it Jerome!!" before one of Geils's solos.

The band formed under the name Snoopy and the Sopwith Camels, while Geils was attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a couple of semesters. In 1967 the band switched focus, starting to play electric guitar and bass and recruiting drummer Stephen Jo Bladd and fast-talking ex-disc jockey singer Peter Wolf, born Peter Blankenfeld, both from Boston. They became the J. Geils Blues Band, later dropping the word blues from the band name. The following year Seth Justman joined as an organist. The group signed to Atlantic Records in 1970.

Although living in Boston, the band had always considered Detroit their second home because of their enormous popularity there. All three of their live albums were recorded in Detroit at various venues.

The J. Geils Band first received FM radio airplay with the live single "First I Look at the Purse", then had several hit singles in the 1970s, the most successful of which were a cover version of the Showstoppers' "Ain't Nothin' But a Houseparty" (1973) and "Musta Got Lost" (1974). Later in the 1970s, the band signed with EMI America Records.

On August 17, 1971, at a show in the Boston Common, The Allman Brothers Band named The J. Geils Band as their favorite local band. Both bands later played the last show at the Fillmore East, before it closed.

After their initial commercial successes the group seemed destined to be nothing more than a first-rate party band, until the release of Monkey Island (1977), followed by Sanctuary (1978).

The group's commercial fortunes improved in the early 1980s, first with the humorous Love Stinks, with the title track becoming a Top 40 hit (#38), then with their success with the Freeze Frame album which included "Centerfold" (#1 for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100) and then the title cut (#4).

Wolf left the group in 1983 over artistic disagreements.

The band went on to record one more album of new material, You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd, after Wolf left. He was not replaced, and Seth Justman took over most of the vocal duties. The album produced only one single — "Concealed Weapons", and was not a commercial success.

The group reunited with Wolf in 1999, for a 13 date tour of the east coast and upper mid-west. Wolf continues to tour with his own backup band, and the rest of the Geils band makes occasional appearances.

Since the semi-retirement of the band, Geils has been restoring sports cars in Massachusetts and started the legendary performance shop, KTR European Motorsports in Ayer, Massachusetts.[1] In 1992, he joined his old bandmate Richard "Magic Dick" Salwitz to form the band Bluestime, which released two records: the self-titled Bluestime (1994) and Little Car Blues (1996) on Rounder Records. It is believed the band is currently in hiatus.[2]

In 2004, Geils produced the album Nail It! for Massachusetts-based blues/rock group The Installers (Francesca Records #1011). He has also been known to appear on stage with The Installers occasionally.

On May 22, 2006, the six original members had a surprise reunion, at bassist Danny Klein's 60th birthday party at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston.

Magic Dick recently contributed his harmonica playing and some vocals as part of a live recording called Command Performance by the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue featuring The Tommy Castro Band, Deanna Bogart, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and others. He toured as part of the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue on different Blues Cruises, and again on land-based shows during 2007-2008.

Peter Wolf is currently on tour with Kid Rock (2008), and is finishing up on a new solo cd.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

  • "First I look at the Purse (Live)" (1971) #1 AOR US
  • "Looking For A Love" (1971) #39 US
  • "Did You No Wrong" (1973) #1 AOR US
  • "Give It To Me" (1973) #30 US
  • "(Ain't Nothin' But A) House Party" (1973) #2 AOR
  • "Make Up Your Mind" (1973) #98 US
  • "Detroit Breakdown" (1974) #7 AOR US
  • "Must Of Got Lost" (1974) #12 US
  • "Love-itis" (1975) #1 AOR US
  • "Where Did Our Love Go" (1976) #68 US
  • "You're The Only One" (1977) #83 US
  • "Surrender" (1971) #5 AOR US
  • "One Last Kiss" (1978) #35 US
  • "Take It Back" (1979) #67 US
  • "Sanctuary" (1979) #9 AOR US
  • "Come Back" (1980) #32 US
  • "Love Stinks" (1980) #38 US
  • "Just Can't Wait" (1980) #78 US
  • "Night Time" (1980) #5 AOR US
  • "Centerfold" (1981) #1 US - 6 weeks; #3 UK
  • "Freeze-Frame" (1982) #4 US, #27 UK
  • "Angel In Blue" (1982) #40 US, #55 UK
  • "Flamethrower" (1982) #5 AOR US
  • "I Do" (1982) #24 US
  • "Land Of A Thousand Dances" (1983) #60 US
  • "Concealed Weapons" (1984) #63 US
  • "Fright Night" (1985) #91 US

[edit] References

  1. ^ KTR European Motorsports - KTR Racing - Vintage European Race Car Service, Support, and Restorations
  2. ^ http://www.geocities.com/dickandjay/index.htm

[edit] External links