Disco music was perhaps the sound that defined the 1970s, and one group that helped defined that era was the J. Geils Band and their ability to merge disco and new wave music into one cohesive sound.
Tragically we have just learned that John Warren Geils Jr., known professionally as J. Geils, was found dead in his Massachusetts home on Tuesday. He was 71 years old.
J. Geils, Whose Band’s Catchy Pop Hits Colored the 1980s, Dies at 71 https://t.co/Xe83EMpmTL
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 12, 2017
From Fox News:
Groton Police said in a statement that they were called to Geils’ home at around 4 p.m. local time to do a wellness check. Officers found Geils unresponsive and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police said a preliminary investigation indicated that Geils died of natural causes, but the investigation was ongoing.
The J. Geils Band was founded in 1967 in Worcester, Mass., while Geils was studying at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Bandmates included Danny Klein, Richard “Magic Dick” Salwitz, Stephen Jo Bladd, Peter Wolf and Seth Justman.
In total, the band produced 11 albums between the years of 1970 and 1984. During that time, Geils’ band had several Top 40 successes, including their second album “The Morning After.” The band’s initial success occurred while opening for artists such as BB King, Johnny Walker, The Allman Brothers, and The Byrds.
The band’s third album, “Bloodshot,” was their first huge hit, reaching #10 on the Billboard 200 album chart as well as producing the single “Give it to Me” which made it to #30 on Billboard as well.
Check out this video of the band performing their song “Centerfold”:
Many people took to Twitter to express their condolences following Geils’ death:
RIP J. Geils. Thanks for the tunes pic.twitter.com/70lIjBkcnL
(@soldoursoul) April 12, 2017
Death of a rock legend. Rest In Peace J. Geils. #RIPJGeils
— Omar (@Homiedino) April 12, 2017
You’re with the angels in the centerfolds now.
R.I.P. J. Geils passes away at 71 https://t.co/Y9a6DqSSMD pic.twitter.com/um8qBOMibI— Lucid Hurricane™✘ (@Forever_Lucid) April 12, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with Geils’ entire family. Rest in peace!