John Warren Geils Jr., who rose to fame in the music world as the founder of the eponymous J. Geils Band, was found dead at his Groton, Massachusetts, home, ABC affiliate WCVB reported Tuesday. He was 71.
Geils’ cause of death was not reported.
Geils’ band, which the guitarist founded with Danny Klein, Magic Dick Salwitz, Stephen Jo Bladd and Peter Wolf while Geils was studying at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, released its debut album in 1970. While the group was initially known for it soul and rhythm and blues influences, the group moved in a poppier direction in the ’80s, racking up hits such as “Love Stinks,” “Centerfold” and “Freeze Frame.”
The group broke up in 1985, with Geils turning his attention to auto racing and restoration with the auto restoration shop KTR Motorsports in Massachusetts. However, he re-entered the music world in 1992, producing an album for his bandmate Danny Klein and forming the the group Bluestime with Salwitz.
The J. Geils band also reunited several times starting in 1999.