Guitarist J Geils Dead at 71

[Bunk McNulty]

John Warren Geils Jr., better known as J. Geils, the guitarist of the the J. Geils Band, was found dead in his home in Groton, Massachusetts Tuesday. He was 71. Rolling Stone has confirmed Geils’ death. According to Groton Police, “a preliminary investigation indicates that Geils died of natural causes.”

“At approximately 4 p.m., Groton Police responded to a home on Graniteville Road for a well-being check,” Groton Police said in a statement. “Upon arrival to the house, police located a man who was unresponsive. He was declared dead at the scene … The Groton Police Department is investigating the death, as is standard procedure in all unattended deaths, however foul play is not suspected at this time.”

Guitarist J. Geils (Rolling Stone)

 

[GregC]

I was confused because I thought he'd already died, and he did--the article is dated 4/12/17.

 

[JimK]

Whew...Twilight Zone moment.

 

[getrhythm]

I saw this show.

 

[jerry]

Well since we are talking about him/them anyway, one of the things that gets overlooked in that very talented band was the rhythm section, Stephen Bladd and Danny Klein had a such a killer lock. Bladd has to be one of the most overlooked drummers from that period. I saw them a LOT back in the day, they were ubiquitous in the NYC area concert scene of the early 70's.

 

[oldrocker]

View attachment 3389076 I saw this show.

I was there too. That was a great show.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Rolling Stone has confirmed Geils’ death.

Why does this bring Tom Petty to mind?

Remember what happened with that?

 

[getrhythm]

I was there too. That was a great show.

Nice! I met Ian and Ruth Underwood outside before the show. Apparently, Ian was going to join the Magic Band on guitar but eventually had to bail because of migraines. As we were talking a limo containing CB & the MB pulled up, the Underwoods bid me a farewell and hopped in the car, I said hi to the boys in the band and they pulled away. I also snuck a cassette recorder into the show but the tape is long gone.

 

[oldrocker]

Nice! I met Ian and Ruth Underwood outside before the show. Apparently, Ian was going to join the Magic Band on guitar but eventually had to bail because of migraines. As we were talking a limo containing CB & the MB pulled up, the Underwoods bid me a farewell and hopped in the car, I said hi to the boys in the band and they pulled away. I also snuck a cassette recorder into the show but the tape is long gone.

CB and the MB especially Rockette Morton were on fire for that show. As I remember, many of the J Geils band fans weren't too impressed.

Billy Joel was an unknown at the time and played the opening set to a pretty empty house. This was before Piano Man and Captain Jack was his big song of the night.

 

[MCF]

View attachment 3389076 I saw this show.

Interesting bills. One I’d have loved to see was King Crimson, Redbone and The Flying Burrito Bros. On the same night. And obviously very early Yes Shows.

 

[getrhythm]

CB and the MB especially Rockette Morton were on fire for that show. As I remember, many of the J Geils band fans weren't too impressed.

Billy Joel was an unknown at the time and played the opening set to a pretty empty house. This was before Piano Man and Captain Jack was his big song of the night.

Exactly! I remember the J. Geils fans yelling during the Captain's set.."J.GEILS! J. GEILS!"
And B.J. was solo and forgettable (to me).

 

[Tim Skaggs]

My most enduring memory of the J. Geils band is the note on the album cover of one of their 70's live albums; "made loud to play loud".

 

[ELG60]

I was confused because I thought he'd already died, and he did--the article is dated 4/12/17.

Yeah, that article's over two years old ... Musta got lost.

 

[beaglesandbass]

RIP: J. Geils