Guitarist J. Geils Found Dead In Massachusetts Home
GROTON, Mass. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- John Warren Geils Jr., founder of The J. Geils Band known for such hits as "Love Stinks," "Freeze Frame" and "Centerfold," has died in his Massachusetts home.
Geils was 71 years old.
Groton police said officers responded to Geils home around 4 p.m. Tuesday for a well-being check and found him unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
"A preliminary investigation indicates that Geils died of natural causes," police said in a statement.
More: Boston-Born Joey McIntyre Remembers J. Geils: 'He's a Character'
The J. Geils Band was founded in 1967 in Worcester, Massachusetts, while Geils was studying at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Fronted by singer Peter Wolf, the band released 11 studio albums before breaking up in 1985. They reunited off and on until recent years.
#JGeils Band singer @PeterWolf_Woofa remembers when the tables turned for the band in '81 thanks to "Centerfold." https://t.co/dBemzpeev9
— WCBS-FM (@WCBSFM) April 12, 2017
The band had several Top 40 singles in the early 1970s, including a cover song "Lookin' for a Love" by the family group The Valentinos and "Give It to Me."
Celebrate the life of J. Geils today with this playlist of J. Geils Band greats. https://t.co/ifyMOQQwYS
— WCBS-FM (@WCBSFM) April 12, 2017
Their biggest hits included "Must of Got Lost," which reached No. 12 on Billboard's Top 100 in 1975. "Love Stinks," a rant against unrequited love, was the title song on their 1980 album.
Their song "Centerfold," from the album "Freeze Frame" was released in 1981 and eventually charted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in February 1982. It stayed there for six weeks and was featured on MTV.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)