Legendary guitarist J Geils passes away at his Groton, MA home.
J Geils, the founder of the one of the most popular touring bands in the 70s, was found dead at his home.
On Tuesday, police stopped by the singer’s home for a well-being check. Police chief Donald Palma said officers soon found J Geils’ body unresponsive and later declared him dead at his home in Groton, Massachusetts. John Warren Geils Jr, J Geil’s real name, had lived in his home for thirty-five years.
The official Groton Police Department press release states,
“Chief Donald Palma reports that the Groton Police Department is investigating an unattended death that occurred today at a residence in town.
At approximately 4 p.m., Groton Police responded to a home on Graniteville Road for a well-being check.
Upon arrival to the house, police located a man who was unresponsive.
The man is identified as John Warren Geils Jr., age 71, of Groton (better known as J. Geils), who was the homeowner.”
Guitarist J Geils first formed the J Geils Blues Band in 1968 while studying at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The band released their first self-titled album, The J Geils Band, after dropping the “Blues” name. The group would go on to release ten more albums until 1985, with ‘Centerfold’ easily their ‘greatest hit’ and a classic rock favorite.
Ultimately, disagreement over the group’s direction caused lead vocalist Peter Wolf to leave the band in 1983. Following the commercial failure of the group’s 1985 single, ‘Concealed Weapons,’ the group disbanded.
The J Geils Band reunited with Wolf in 1999 for a 13-date tour. In 2013, the band became Bon Jovi’s opening act in different venues across the United States. In the beginning of 2015, the J Geils Band would open for Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.
The Groton Police Department is still investigating the death per standard procedure in all unattended deaths. The press release states that they do not suspect foul play. Palma added,
“A preliminary investigation indicates that Geils died of natural causes.”
I’m fairly certain the guitarist in that photo is not J Geils. (It’s Duke Levine who has been playing guitar for the band for many years.)
Note: photo has since been updated.