J. Geils Band Artistfacts

J. Geils Band song list

J. Geils Band Artistfacts

1967-1984
John GeilsGuitar1967-1984
Peter WolfVocals1967-1983
Magic DickHarmonica1967-1984
Danny KleinBass1967-1984
Stephen Jo BladdDrums1967-1984
Seth JustmanKeyboards, vocals1968-1984
Wolf, the primary lyricist, is a high school dropout, who honed his skills in jive-talking on the Bronx (N.Y.) streets. As a disc jockey on Boston's WBCN-FM, Wolf was known as Woofuh Goofuh.
The band is from Boston, which was one of the hardest places to be a Rock band in the '60s. The city rarely authorized Rock concerts, and in 1967, MGM Records tried marketing some Boston bands as "The Bosstown Sound," which was a response to the psychedelic sound coming out of San Francisco. It was a huge flop, and killed most record company interest in Boston bands. The J. Geils Band was a rare exception, and made it despite the anti-Rock climate in the city.
Bladd and Wolf hooked up in the Hallucinations. Geils, Klein, and Dick played together as an acoustic group called the J. Geils Blues Band. When Bladd and Wolf joined, they dropped the Blues from their name, and went electric.
Wolf was married to actress Faye Dunaway from 1974-1979.
For their 1977 album, Monkey Island, the group was simply known as Geils.
After Wolf's departure, Justman took over the lead vocal role.
Dick and Geils briefly got together in 1993 and 1994 as Bluestime and released an album under the same name.
The band is named after the guitarist, not the vocalist, as many people think. Other bands named after their guitarist include Santana and Van Halen.
In their younger days, they earned the name "The Jewish Rolling Stones" because of their R&B sound and their wild live shows.
They were invited to play the original Woodstock, but turned it down, reportedly saying, "Three days in the mud - who needs it?"
Seemingly endless touring was the way these guys found commercial success. At least until MTV, when their videos, like "Centerfold," became big hits.
When their commercial success came in the early 1980's, most of the band members were nearing their 40th birthday. Justman, the youngest in the group, had just celebrated his 30th.
They began playing mostly covers, and slowly moved into writing their own songs.
When they first got together, Jerome Geils had a manager and was under contract. This manager insisted that "J. Geils" be in the band name so another manager wouldn't sign them, so they became The J. Geils Blues Band. They were only obligated to use the name for a year, but kept it because they had built up a following with it, and they dropped the "Blues" 2 years later.

Comments: 9

Xgman from The DmvFull House is one of the best live LPs recorded. Put it on and head to the beach!
Paul Buehner from East Suburbs Of Cleveland, OhioMan, you guys don't have their best song listed but you have Flamethrower???
Please, you MUST add Come Back to the list of best J. Geils Band songs!!
Dominic from Riverview, MiOne of my favorite concerts when it comes to just partying and having a great time!!!!
Dominic from Riverview, MiOne of my favorite albums (showing my age here ) is Sanctuary . It was probably their last bluesy rock album before going mainstream with Love Stinks.
Randy from Colerain Twp., OhI knew someone that had attended one of their concerts in the late 70's. Peter Wolf appeared on stage wearing men's briefs and black nylon stockings... that is definitely something that I am just so glad that I did not see.
Lalah from Wasilla, AkAnybody know where I can buy some green mascara?
Darrell from Kalkaska, MiBlow Your Face Out is an amazing album and a testiment to the musicianship and communications through the band. They ROCKED.
Don from San Antonio, TxLove Stinks video was the first time I head them, it was when cable TV was first invented, and they played "funny" videos inbetween movies. They played the ominous "Fish Heads" (you know, "eat them up, yum!") and "Love Stinks" after that, I guess because the drummer has fish heads for hands in the video. I was like 10 years old, and that Love Stinks video blew me away HARD. That songs rocks OUT! I think right after that they also played the video for "Come Back", which looked to me like they recorded both those videos around the same time. That Love Stinks video inspired me to be a musican, along with other similar stuff around that era. The Last Waltz also came out around then. I knew nothing about The Band, but I knew I had to have a guitar.
Don from Pittsburgh, PaWant some listening fun? Do you like live recordings? If you answered yes to both then you got to pick up "Full House" by J. Geils Band. Recorded in Detroit, the motor city in 1972.

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