What Happened to The J. Geils Band?

[@ronayotte3571]

The J. Geils band belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

[@craigs1437]

Agreed!

[@shannonk.6528]

The J. Geils Band is an important part of the history of Rock and Roll. I am from Detroit and they have always been very popular here. I was fortunate to see Peter Wolf perform with Kid Rock a few years ago here. The JGB should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Hallelujah Shannon K!

[@kevinandtinawiller9122]

Saw it too, Peter Wolf was awesome, some dude from RunDMC as well. Not a fan zzzz

[@billbbobby2889]

100 % Right On

[@ClaudiaMitchell-jn7fw]

I’m from Detroit too, saw J. Geils band in Detroit in the early 70’s. Great band !! ❤️✌🏻

[@seagullpoet]

Detroit Breakdown is my favorite song !

[@arnaldomontes5616]

I've seen hundreds of live shows. J. Geils Band was one of the best live acts ever!!!!

[@sunnyramsey2753]

Seen them 10 times one of the best live bands! A friend of mine loved them so much, when he died they played nothing but J. Geils songs at his calling hours. They should be in the Hall of Fame period.

[@videoman4734]

I agree. They were very underrated

[@guitorb]

Nobody ever talks about Full House. One of the greatest live rock albums of all time.

[@cosmikrelic4815]

yes, i agree, i wore my vinyl out.

[@sjmac9737]

best thing they ever did

[@Daggercrossover]

Whammer Jammer

[@alzo7891]

Absolutely right. Too bad they added extra audience noise.

[@daveguitarnowski4402]

fuck yeah

[@MarcusRefusius]

They were one FABULOUS live act. They dressed like Rock Stars. I saw them only once in 1978 on the Sanctuary tour but that show really stuck in my mind.I had flown home to Ohio from California because our Mom was dying of Cancer at the age of 46. I think that show really helped me forget my troubles for a few short hours. Cheers!

[@jamesmeares7240]

After almost 50 years, I still listen to Full House every month. And every month I say Wow, I wish I was there. Great great great.

[@tededuncan2306]

That album is timeless!

[@tomodonovan5931]

My blood runs cold, my memory has just been sold, my angel is the centerfold!!

[@UFOROX]

One of the greatest live rock bands .

[@sportyorty3570]

Great band no one ever talks about!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@nancyhanson9661]

Totally under rated

[@markpolacek7840]

It was in 77 that a fellow co worker told me about J. Geils. It was cool to hear magic man play that harp.

[@midrider335]

I saw the J Geils Band on June 26, ‘71 burn up the stage at the Fillmore East coming on right before the Allman Brothers. They were great, high energy rock ‘n roll blues! What a night that was!

[@keithjrisk]

That was my 6th birthday!

[@tededuncan2306]

What a lineup!

[@chuckwagon5518]

One listen to "Full House" in 1973 and I was hooked. I never saw them live, but my late friend Artie saw them twice and told me that hands down they were the best live band he had ever seen!

[@mrabrasive51]

Theyre in my top 5..and I've seen a lot starting in early 70's.

[@mbeenz]

Yep Iv Seen Them At least 4x in the 70s! Hands DOWN, The BEST LIVE PARTY BAND EVER!!! So Glad Iv Had the Chance to See Them!!!!

[@MarkGardner66Bonnie]

Being from Detroit, "Full House" was a staple on the radio. When I enlisted in the Navy and got stationed in California in the early 70's I was surprised that hardly anyone ever heard of them. Great band!

[@ERIC-65]

Im proud to announce that I have seen the J. GEILS BAND right in front of my very own eyes in Vienna 1982 ,as they were supporting the Rolling Stones on their European leg of the "Tattoo You" Tour ! It was of no disappointment! And the Stones were nice aswell that day. Those were days ,weren't they?

[@anthonylitwicki3088]

Seen j geils and foghat front row in Pittsburgh November 29,1974. It was my first indoor concert on my 15th birthday. Wow what a show. And these groups not in the hall of fame? What a shame! Later in life, being 3rd in command of security at concert venues in Pittsburgh. Was able to meet the band and recall the 74 concert!

[@pdmullgirl]

Never got to see these guys live and it’s such a bummer for me. Their stage presence has so much energy! Great band! Thanks for the video! ❤️💜💚

[@bigredmachine1]

Just phenomenal...Saw them in Boston then saw them in L.A. with U2 opening.(Great after party at SIR. Peter asked me cause I was wearing a Aerosmith button, How old is Tyler? I said 36, he said Wow, I'm getting old!) Then saw them open for The Stones Tattoo You and they were solid!

[@TheRealBMVB]

So lucky to have grown up in Maine in the 70's. J Gail's every summer and new years eve.

[@PAKiller1]

what a great live band.. so much fun to go see.. I am from Detroit and saw them several times..their albums were fun, but could never totally capture the energy from the live shows... I feel sorry for people that know J Geils from the songs Centerfold and Love Stinks never got to know the best part of this band.. The last time I saw them was Y2K night at the Palace of Auburn Hills..and again, they blew the doors off the place

[@Senna-xi1gr]

I saw them live supporting The Rolling Stones at Newcastle upon Tyne 1982. Fantastic live gig. 👍🎸🎤🏆

[@MattJarz]

Such a great live band. Was able to catch at Pine Knob during the reunion tour in the 90s. So underrated.

[@Splitshot1]

They were a must see live band in the 70's.

[@jimreal3840]

Great ,great band...what a show they put on...

[@austinteutsch]

Saw JGB at college in Fayetteville, Arkansas (Razorbacks) in 1973 and bought the FULL HOUSE album and it blew me away. Love that Detriot funk sound.

[@bumsharvest5493]

I've seen the J. Geils band many times in the 70's and 80's. They used to play in Detroit all the time. If you saw them on a night when they were firing on all cylinders, it was legendary. I really miss that band.

[@gorfpatrol5482]

Cobo

[@bumsharvest5493]

@@gorfpatrol5482 Cobo, Pine Knob! The good old days.

[@KevinM-dg7kx]

They played Pine Knob every summer in that late 70’s early 80’s period...

[@samanthab1923]

I saw them in 77 or 78 out near Lancaster PA. Went to visit my BF at Franklin & Marshall U.

[@bigredmachine1]

Motor City Shakedown!

[@scottburton9701]

Saw them twice in 1981 & 1982-They were awesome!

[@stargirlzx]

Great great band. ESPECIALLY live. Full house was my first of many albums by them . Saw them live on many occasions. Also saw bluestime another great band

[@23Robusto]

My all time favorite R&R band I live in Houston so they didn't come often but the best show I ever saw was when they played the Houston music hall. 12th row. It was legendary

[@M3RRIH3W13]

I saw J. Geils open for the Stones in Munich. I have to say that J. Geils rocks their faces off! What a show! The Stones weren't as tough after them. J. Geils is a great band for party and getting happy!

[@donaldbishop7550]

That's a fact,!!!

[@friendofbeaver6636]

The J. Geils "Full House" live album was among the first I bought. I've seen them twice, in '75 with the Stones, and headlining in '99, playing their blues/soul repertoire. I really enjoy the essence of the band. It was difficult to listen to many of their later "radio" hits.

[@ricklavash6965]

I believe “Full House” to be the best live album of all time. Completely subjective of course.

[@franko69]

@@ricklavash6965 Totally agree with you guys, i still have the Full House CD and play in my car often, Love Hard Drivin Man, and the others of course. Best album ever.

[@rickrayn]

Got their Full House album which I still think is one of the best live albums recorded.

[@martyjones2679]

They were HUGE in Detroit in the 70's and 80s! Great LIVE Band!

[@bobwallace9814]

"First I look at the Purse" should be mandatory training for all young boys.

[@karlbullock2907]

In total I have seen J.Geils 14 times. The first was Nov.3 1974. J. Geils, Mountain and Golden Erring. My ears were blown for a couple days.

[@bigredmachine1]

Oh, Geils and Mountain in the same bill...solid!

[@pawpawberthiaume4221]

They were completely AWESOME live!!!

[@patrickbrickley5872]

Hahaha, the narrator slaughtered every Massachusetts town and street name.

[@bigredmachine1]

That's Obsurrred!

[@dinacarr2734]

WorChEster....sauce? No. The town. Lol

[@chrishubbell3313]

True legends! One of the best live bands…EVER!!!🙏🏾🤘🏾✊🏾

[@CuttingEdgetools]

Saw J Geils’ on their first Tour. In his later years-J Geils’ went on --to get Deep into Jazz Guitar in vein of Charlie Christian/Barney Kessel’. There’s some cool videos of Geils playing with other Jazz/Blues legends.

[@danielsweet858]

Seemed like they were always on tour. Got to see them many times & they were always spot on musically & stage presence.

[@bak-mariterry9143]

FULL HOUSE... One of the best live albums... Allman Brothers @ Fillmore East still number 1.

[@brianlevine1479]

Loved hearing Peter on WBCN talking with Charles. His ads for 'BCN were great.Saw them play all over Mass. and NH. When I was in Germany in 1989 I was looking through my friends records and found several J.Geils albums. He asked me if I'd heard of them. They would be played on Armed Forces Radio out of Stuttgart,Germany.

[@brianlevine1479]

Boston has had so many great bands go big. We need it again!

[@omarks]

'Full house' isn't really discussed here. I'm English and that album was a big deal for me. I still have the vinyl which I bought at the first Virgin record shop at the birdcage in Coventry where Brad - future Specials drummer - was behind the counter and a J Geils fan. I'm a big Free fan and the R&B crossover by both these bands are v important in that era, JG band very underrated, hate their later stuff

[@giveitathink6749]

Happy to hear from a fan from Coventry! I love the Specials and Brad, their drummer as well. I could go on about the JGiels band, but we all know they were special too! Cheers!

[@tod3msn]

One of the band became a waiter at a famous restaurant. One became a professional bowler. Another sold tee shirts on eBay. One became a tour guide in the French Alps and another stayed in music.

[@robertjrobicheau8456]

I saw J. Geils many times in Ct. Peter Wolf , in my opinion, is on a short list as being one of the most entertaining lead singers live. Not the greatest vocalist. One of the best dancing, get the crowd amped up, and be happy lead singers. A party band that get the crowd rabid through the music not techno stuff. Great shows always!

[@annna6553]

His unwillingness to change with the times of New wave left him in the dust

[@Bigum99]

I saw him at the Boston Riverfront Hatshell and he was ripping it up​@@annna6553

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

Thanks for making this. I wondered what their official story was. Freeze Frame and all the songs on it were a big part of my high school experience. I always wanted to see them but never got the chance.

[@tommyhaynes9157]

I was just familiar with their hit Looking for Love when I went to see them in the early 70s so I wasn't expecting much. They blew me away, I was dancing through the whole show and I'm pretty shy. I had no idea there live show was so rocking.

[@ColinStuart]

Seth Justman, Stephen Jo Bladd & Danny Klein were good friends of mine. While I was working with E,W,&F, we'd just miss each other on most of the road tours. We did do a srtrange billing , with E,W, F, Golden Earring, & the J. Geils band! Who was the headliner? Too hard to say!

[@Harry_PP030]

As proud as i am of Golden Earring (i'm Dutch, like them) i can't believe you consider them a kind of co-headliner? Seen them a lot in concert, and they were great but JGB even gave the Stones a hard time....

[@johnthonig8832]

Have seen them many times in Austin, small venues and up close Great shows

[@richardmountz3865]

In 76 I was a stage hand at the Fox in Atl where they played to a full house. A manager was walking around popping caps for band members before the show. I thought it would be funny to get in line but they didn't agree. j's 4 Marshall's were idling at about 75 decibles. Anyway, I'm glad they survived those times....

[@rogersmith5411]

I saw The J. Geils Band in Vancouver when they were touring to support the "Freeze Frame" album. From the second they started to the very last note all 20,000 people in the arena were rockin'!! It was one of the best concerts I've been to, definitely in my top 3.

[@peterbellini6102]

Seeing Geils in a small club was guaranteed to blow 'ya face (and 'ya eardrums) out! When you know, you know. Their encore of "Looking For a Love" fantastic and I saw them in Atlantic City '09, still gr8. J.Geils and Graham Parker: the 2 best live bands EVER

[@whathappenedtothem_]

Well said!

[@Desertram]

Great memories listening to these Bad Boys!

[@susanhutchison1270]

One of the very few bands that could give you “happy feet”

[@ahighervibe4086]

That's how The Grateful Dead is to me😉

[@tomaig5130]

The first concert I ever attended... The (tiny) Panama City, Florida Municipal Auditorium...1972.

[@paullienard6836]

Excellent Commentary. I saw them at the Boston Garden in 1980. It was a great show!

[@whathappenedtothem_]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@catherineprior8319]

Thankyou for this fantastic informative commentary. There were many things I learned about this band and didn't know they were around much earlier .

[@whathappenedtothem_]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Luthiart]

Tour as the J. Geils Band without actually having J. Geils in the band?? Yeah, that sounds like a cocaine decision.

[@kevinrackley]

The album Freeze Frame is my entire childhood. I listened to that album so much, I can still sing every word of every song!

[@samueladams4145]

I saw them as a warm up band for Peter Frampton in Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky. They played the exact Full House album. It was fantastic. I also gained much respect for Frampton at that show. He had band members sick (drummer, I think) but he played every instrument in the house, including drums. He put on a fantastic show! Thanks for the video!

[@jonathansmith3742]

I caught 3 shows. All of them were awesome. What a team they were. I caught Blues Time too, I almost forgot.

[@johnshields6852]

I saw j. Geils in 76, it was a blast, great live band.

[@charlesanderson32]

What a Great Band, they are Missed! Yes, they should be in the RRHOF!

[@danwhyte3524]

Back in 73 74 I was just a pup 15 or so got ahold of the Full House album I still think it's one of the best if not the best live album ever made saw them down in Buffalo 80,000 people and they were by far the best band performing that day great concert the whole busload of us went down it was my 18th birthday yeehaw the radio-friendly stuff sucked but what can you do they need to make some money I guess where did our love go on Blow Your Face Out was just great leave it to them to do an old Supreme song in Detroit

[@daviddillow698]

Somewhere in a stack of old albums, I have every album except the very first one and the last one, even Full House "Live".

[@musicauthority7828]

There's so much I could say about The J. Geils Band, but for the sake of keeping this comment brief. I'll just say that "Love Stinks" is one of the most bad ass songs of all time.

[@user-im2dc4rs8c]

Can not believe they are not in hall of fame

[@JohnnyBGoode215]

First time I saw them was in 75 or maybe 76. It was outdoors at URI. BB King and Papa John Creach played. There were riots with the police because hundreds tore down the fence and rushed in. The music was great. Saw them several times the following years. They never disappointed. Saw Peter Wolf with Roomful of Blues outdoors, too. Sometime in the mid 80's.

[@madogblue]

Great video, thanks for making it. Huge fan of the band. Peter Wolf is one of a kind and a musical force of nature. Magic Dick was the main reason I learned to play blues harmonica. He still has it even as he gets older. His duo with Shung is great. The Bluestime albums are also absolutely gems paying homage to the traditional blues. I saw Jay and Magic Dick playing together in a small gig at some time after the band broke apart. Jay really had lost his live guitar chops at that point and I could see why the band may have chosen to tour without him. Not sure if that was the reason. I love all kinds of music and listen all the time. Many of the Geils albums are in my main rotation. All the early albums before things went a little too "disco" were and are fantastic.

[@MattJaissleFilms]

This band was so huge by the early 80s, as a kid I assumed they were the biggest band of all time. Just non stop radio play.

[@Mrzeee999]

THEY ALSO PLAYED IN HARTFORD, SUMMER OF 72' WITH ALICE COOPER AND DOCTOR JOHN THE NIGHT TRIPPER. ALL THE WHILE THE STONES PLAYED AT MSG...............................

[@topixfromthetropix1674]

I ran a touring sound company in Atlanta. I got a call from the production manager for J Giles saying the electrician in Memphis has lifted the neutral leg of their sound and lighting electric supply and blew up all their amplifiers the night before. We rented them 12 Crown DC-300A's and 4 BGW 750's for their Fox Theatre show and since the Fox Theatre in Atlanta had a competent electrician, I never gave it another thought. It is amazing what goes on behind the scenes at a concert. I used to see some of the band at the Airport Grill in Nantucket.

[@tagsdm]

I used to see the J. Geils Blues Band at a place called the Catacombs in Boston on Mass Ave night after night as I remember. This was 1969-70. Just a fantastic show. That Magic Dick...my heavens. I lost interest when they took "Blues" out and became an AM radio pop band. They still did a great show, though. A shame about J himself. I wonder what really happened.

[@tommcqueen2840]

I was a fan. When my wife and I got married, our first dance was to 'Love Stinks'.

[@jafquist27]

I was raised in Massachusetts. I was Born in '68. The J. Geils Band was a huge part of my musical growing up. Interestingly enough, I NEVER heard, from the main rock radio stations; WAAF 107.3, WAQY 102.3, and WBCN 104.1, J. Geils Band was from MA. In fact, I just found out now, September 26, 2021. I had one of these stations in my ears virtually every waking moment while growing up, and it was NEVER mentioned.

[@birdsfan57]

I had their 1973 "Bloodshot" album with the red LP. Sad that I gave away alot of my old albums when I moved from my parents' home, and I could kick myself every day, knowing that, today, a few of them are semi-collector's items!

[@Harry_PP030]

One of the greatest bands ever!

[@edso9769]

Great band live. Met Magic Dick backstage at the Music Hall during a Aerosmith concert. Good synopsis. .... Other than murdering the names of all of the cities ;-)

[@tommyhunter9641]

They had the world by the tail for a while. Some of the best, most lively party band concerts I have been to in Detroit. The crowd was seriously partying too! Energy.

[@DickDebonaire]

Among my favorite songs of theirs is Chimes, both the studio and live version. It didn't get much airplay. A must listen if you have never heard it

[@michaelzukowski5541]

Agree chimes is absolutely my favorite geils song only saw em play it once live was in 1975

[@DickDebonaire]

@@michaelzukowski5541 me too just once at Cobo arena in Detroit. The show they recorded for the Blow Your Face Out album along with a Boston show

[@michaelzukowski5541]

Thats so cool saw em play it at Calderone concert hall on long Island. Saw the band at least a dozen times from 75 - 2015

[@DickDebonaire]

@@michaelzukowski5541 I saw them 9 or 10 times I would guess. But I only remember Chimes once. At the San Diego sports arena they performed Serve's you right to suffer. PW mentioned that they hadn't performed it live in years. They came back for I would guess 5-6 encores, and a few were more than one song. I told my cousin who had been in a fairly successful band a few years earlier, and she accused me of fabricating the story. Pissed me off because I don't do that. It does show how above and beyond the band went in their live shows. The audience was really lit up, as many people living out there in the late 70's were from Detroit

[@scottmusselman1046]

ALWAYS a GREAT Live Band , One of the Best ever

[@BillyBob-ld5nv]

Magic Dick's harmonica + amplification is THE loudest musical instrument I ever heard. THE loudest noise in general was AC/DC's cannons during the "For Those About T Rock" tour.

[@dougwilliamson174]

They were my favorite band in my youth.Being from Detroit I saw them play many times and saw them record both their live albums.The Rock and roll hall of fame is a joke that shouldn't be taken seriously. There should be a real one located in Detroit, the real home of Rock and roll and the the J.Giles band should be in the first inductions. 👍

[@johnbettmann1404]

The hall of fame is a joke without these guys.

[@jerryhantz7233]

Greatest live band i have ever seen.There will probably never be anyone better

[@JohnGault-sy2xx]

Saw them in the late 70s and they were outstanding!

[@jimideez9829]

Total Full Throttle Energy, the Geils band. if you don't move n' groove, I could see you not liking them. Saw them once, in the 70s. In philly @ the Spectrum. J was wareing a bright pink tux, with a matching pink hat. Not just any hat, a freakin', foot and a half tall Abe Lincoln pink hat, Haaaaaaaaaa'! Oh, and the best part, it was a dance concert. Open floor, no seats. The band was on the floor with us...Unreal!

[@scottbostic6247]

That was cool thank you. I have two bands for you. BROTHER CANE from Birmingham Alabama and The Vellejo Brothers who are from Birmingham Alabama but reside in Texas now. These bands are not as famous but have a few hits out there.

[@paulharper9711]

So what happened with Stephen Bladd? He was a solid drummer all those years.

[@A.T.and-allthings]

I heard he had arthritis. Don't know if that is fact.

[@Sgsl70]

The best party band ever!!! I have 3/4 of their music on my playlist!!!!!

[@Maxharddrive64]

Detroit always lit up when our adopted son's we're in town. The band just fit the city. In summertime they'd come gig for almost a week to sold out shows.And Every night was a rip the roof off party. Great great memories

[@massivecumshot]

Saw these guy 4-5 times in Michigan in the 70s, backing up people like Uriah Heep and Deep Purple. These guys had energy to burn and were a party band par excellence. Magic Dick was electrifying. The albums don't begin to capture the raw sweaty power of their live show.

[@cocabrown2009]

Saw them with Frampton @ JFK stadium in Philly with 100,000 others, great show!

[@chuckokelley2448]

One of the best live shows bar none

[@user-gq3gz7es5m]

Its a shame the R&R Hall of Fame has not put this band in there. It should just be called Music Hall of Fame with the entries they have let in. I saw this band in 1971 Santa Monica Civic. I was 12. Older bros took me I was hooked. Saw them about 10 more times in the next two years and many more. They were showmen. Lot of people say bands are great live but not like these guys. I promoted their solo material and meet most of them in my 20's. Fantastic musicians. Jann Wenner should be ashamed the way he has turned the R&R hall of fame more into a Political statement. Rather than tribute to musicians who inspired great music and future musicians to pickup instruments. I don't even want to go visit it. Music has taken me all over the USA and more. Put JGB in there.

[@tommassett5374]

Loved Full House, but Blow Your Face Out ranks as my Number 1 live album of ANY band

[@carlenedean8382]

They were a fabulous and highly entertaining musical group. Total BS that they aren't in the Rock and Roll hall of fame.

[@nancyhanson9661]

I am from Boston and thankfully I do know them from before centerfold and love stinks.

[@rootcellarmusicstudiorobku519]

my favorite band growing up

[@sumbuddy63]

As a true fan of Geils I have heard every note of their huge body of work through the years. They have style changes throughout the catalog. It surprises me Wolfe left due to creative differences. compare "Serves you right to Suffer" to "Monkey Island".

[@annna6553]

He didn't wanna do new wave, he's a fool.

[@loilt5091]

Ironically, the only time I caught them live, was in early '82, West Palm Beach. A relatively unknown band named U2 opened for them. I never was a fan of them, preferring the bluesy rockin', r'n'b of America's, Rolling Stones. Wolf made Mick look like he wore cement overshoes on stage. They musta really been something in the early days, especially judging by Live, Full House! I also caught Jerome & Dick together at the Gorge, WA, mid 90's.

[@thommichaels6593]

I remember being the best man for my best buddy.at the rehearsal I wore the Love Stinks tour shirt