The band started as an acoustic blues trio in the mid 1960s, with singer and guitarist John Geils, bassist Danny Klein (Dr. Funk) and harmonica player Richard Salwitz (stage name Magic Dick).

The band formed under the name ‘Snoopy and the Sopwith Camels’, while Geils was attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a couple of semesters. In 1967, the band switched focus, starting to play electric guitar and bass and recruiting drummer Stephen Jo Bladd and fast-talking ex-disc jockey singer Peter Wolf, born Peter Blankenfeld, both from Boston. They became the J. Geils Blues Band, later dropping the word “Blues” from the band name. The following year, former fan Seth Justman joined as an organist. The group signed to Atlantic Records in 1970.

Although living in Boston, the band had always considered Detroit their second home because of their enormous popularity there. Two of their three live albums were recorded in Detroit at various venues. The third live album was recorded in Detroit and Boston.

The J. Geils Band first received FM radio airplay with the live single “First I Look at the Purse”. They then began to get AM radio airplay as well with a series of several hit singles in the 1970s, the most successful of which were “Looking for a Love” (1971), “Give it to Me” (1973), a cover version of The Showstoppers’ “Ain’t Nothin’ But a Houseparty” (1973) and “Must of Got Lost” (1974). Later in the 1970s, the band signed with EMI America Records.

J. Geils Band

The band in 1973.

In September 2010 it was announced that The J. Geils Band was a finalist nominee for selection to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Class Of 2011, but were not selected for induction that year.

The band attracted special attention for its innovative use of the harmonica as a lead instrument. Magic Dick is still regarded as one of the best lead harmonica players in rock and roll.

On August 17, 1971, at a show in the Boston Common, The Allman Brothers Band named The J. Geils Band as their favorite local band. Both bands later played the last show at the Fillmore East, before it closed. After their initial commercial successes the group seemed destined to be nothing more than a party band, until the release of Monkey Island (1977), followed by Sanctuary (1978).

The group’s commercial fortunes improved in the early 1980s, first with the humorous Love Stinks, then with their success with the Freeze Frame album which included “Centerfold” (#1 for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100) and then the title cut (#4). “Centerfold” also became their only major hit single in the United Kingdom, where it reached #3 in February 1982. Wolf left the group in 1983 over artistic disagreements.

The band went on to record one more album of new material, You’re Gettin’ Even While I’m Gettin’ Odd, after Wolf left. He was not replaced, and Seth Justman took over most of the vocal duties. The album produced only one single — “Concealed Weapons”, and was not a commercial success. The group then disbanded in 1985 after contributing the title song to the 1985 horror film Fright Night.

The December 2009 edition of Vintage Guitar (magazine) featured an in-depth interview with J. Geils by Mambo Sons guitarist Tom Guerra. In the interview, Geils revealed his playing approach, jazz influences and choice of instruments.