Who Is J. Geils? 5 Things You Need To Know About Guitarist Found Dead At 71

Guitarist John Warren Geils Jr., popularly known as J. Geils, was found dead at the age of 71 in his home in Groton, Massachusetts, on Tuesday. Local police said “a preliminary investigation indicates that Geils died of natural causes.”

Groton Chief of Police Donald Palma Jr. said that even though “foul play” was not suspected, investigation was to be carried out as the death was “unattended.” Here are some things about the legendary musician that you may have not known:

The J. Geils Band

While he was studying at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in Massachusetts, Geils founded the J. Geils Band in 1967. He started off as the vocalist and guitarist and the band reached the peak of its popularity in the 1980s. However, the band broke up in 1985, coming together for reunions regularly after that.

Love for motorsports

Geils collected Italian motorcycles and sports cars and opened a performance shop in Ayer, Massachusetts, called KTR European Motorsports.

“I’m 10 years old in 1956,” he said during an interview with Autoweek in 2012. “Dad, I said, what are those cool cars? I want that.”

He dropped the idea after he got into “this rock music thing” but his love for cars pulled him back and he learnt how to restore automobiles.

“J. Geils Day”

Geils lived in Groton for over three decades, and his love for the town has led to Groton, in 2007, designating Dec. 1 as “J. Geils Day.”

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The J. Geils Band failed in its attempt to get featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after a fourth nomination, this time for the class of 2017.

The band’s harmonica player Richard “Magic Dick” Salwitz told Billboard at the time, “This is our fourth nomination, and going through that process, with its inherent disappointment, you’re not sure you want to take that ride again. It’s great to be recognized, but it's a drag to be disappointed. I hope that we make it in. That would be great.”

New band Bluestime

Geils and his bandmate Magic Dick got together to form a new band in 1992. Named Bluestime, the band released two records — “Bluestime” (1994) and “Little Car Blues” (1996) — with Rounder Records, USA Today reported.