J. Geils

J. Geils
Geils performing in concert
Geils performing in concert
Background information
Birth nameJohn Warren Geils Jr.
Born(1946-02-20)February 20, 1946
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedApril 11, 2017(2017-04-11) (aged 71)
Groton, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresRock, blues, jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter, producer
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1967–2017
LabelsAtlantic, EMI America, Rounder, Arbors

John Warren "J." Geils Jr. (February 20, 1946 – April 11, 2017) was an American guitarist. He was a member of the rock group The J. Geils Band.[1]

Early life

Geils was born in New York City and grew up in Far Hills, New Jersey. In 1964, he went to Northeastern University and was a trumpeter in the marching band. When he was drawn to folk musicians in Boston, he left Northeastern for Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he studied mechanical engineering.

The J. Geils Band

See the main article: The J. Geils Band

The J. Geils Band was influenced by soul music and rhythm and blues, but it moved toward pop and rock by the time the album Love Stinks (EMI, 1980) came out. Their next album, Freeze Frame, produced the song "Centerfold", which sat at number one for six weeks. Tension and conflict arose among band members, and Peter Wolf left to pursue a solo career. The band broke up in 1985.[2]

Death

Geils was found dead at age 71 in his Groton, Massachusetts on April 11, 2017.[3][4][5]

Discography

  • Jay Geils Plays Jazz! (Stony Plain, 2005)
  • Jay Geils, Gerry Beaudoin and the Kings of Strings, featuring Aaron Weinstein (Arbors, 2006)
  • Toe Tappin' Jazz (North Star, 2009)

As Bluestime

  • Bluestime (Rounder, 1994)
  • Little Car Blues (Rounder, 1996)

As New Guitar Summit

  • New Guitar Summit (2004)
  • New Guitar Summit: Live at the Stoneham Theatre (2004)[6]

References

  1. ↑ Ware, Susan (October 21, 2004). "Fame still calls J. Geils". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  2. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "J. Geils Band". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  3. ↑ "Guitarist known as J. Geils found dead in Massachusetts home". Wcvb.com. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  4. ↑ Guerra, C., and Sennott, A. Guitarist J. Geils found dead in Groton home. BostonGlobe.com Online. April 11, 2017
  5. ↑ Jacobo, Julia (2017-04-11). "Guitarist J. Geils dead at 71, police say". ABC News. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  6. ↑ "J. Geils | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 January 2017.

Other websites

Media related to John Geils at Wikimedia Commons