Off The Beaten Track Interviews:

The J. Geils Band was the quintessential journeyman blues tinged rock and roll band from Boston. They actually formed in Worcester, Massachusetts as John Geils was a student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The core, original line-up for most of their recording career was J. Geils, Richard “Magic Dick” Salwitz, a former WBCN air personality with the air name, Peter Wolf (real name, Peter Blankfield), Stephen Jo Bladd, Danny Klein and Seth Justman. From the outset, Peter Wolf and Seth Justman were the principal songwriters.

The J. Geils Band was a live powerhouse. As good as the records were, they paled compared to the live show. This was especially true during their Atlantic years, which was most of the 1970s. Michael first interviewed the band in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1977, coinciding with the album, “Monkey Island.” That album was a departure for the band, a concept album of sorts, with heavy attention to production value. It was the most experimental, and most expensive album the group had ever recorded. They shortened the band name to Geils. The album was an artistic success but a commercial failure. It suffered some bad reviews and It bankrupted the band. After nearly a decade, Atlantic did not renew their contract.

Enter EMI-America. 

The J. Geils Band’s first album for EMI-America, “Sanctuary,” was largely a return to form, and sales were modestly good. Then came “Love Stinks,” which yielded a novelty turntable hit with the title track. The J. Geils Band was back. “Freeze Frame” would follow - and blow the doors off! It was the commercial peak of The J. Geils Band career. “Freeze Frame,” “Centerfold” and “Flamethrower” as singles would lead the way. Internally, the band thought it had finally perfected the formula they needed to move forward. Most of the band, anyway. Peter Wolf did not agree. 

Peter, of course, was the front man...all eyes on him. He was a raconteur extraordinaire. It was partly due to his radio background, but mostly due to the wonderful radio he was exposed to growing up in his native New York City. Jocko Henderson, Symphony Sid, Magnificent Montague...magic names playing magic music with classic, magic radio raps...as a young boy, Peter took it all in. In The J. Geils Band, Peter brought it all back out. It made him a front man with a magnetic charisma second to none. He loved the stage and the stage loved him. 

This interview coincided with the release of “Freeze Frame.” It was the literal peak of the J. Geils experience. Soon after, disagreements about the direction of the band would ensue, and by 1983, Peter Wolf left. Rumors flew at the time. Peter walked out. Peter was fired. It didn’t really matter. The magic of The J.Geils Band was over. There was one more album with Seth Justman out front, “You’re Gettin’ Even While I’m Gettin’ Odd,” but it would be the last. EMI-America released them from their contract when the album sold poorly. 

There were reunions, some live shows, and various projects lasting into the 2000’s, but the primary run of The J. Geils Band was over. Peter Wolf continued with a solo career achieving modest success. Various incarnations of The J. Geils Band sporadically toured through 2015. John Geils passed away in 2017.

But, let’s get back to this particular night in 1981. Michael watched as Peter Wolf performed his magic. The band sounded great and Peter poured his energy into entertaining that young, University of New Hampshire crowd. After a couple of hard earned and well-deserved encores, the show was over. Michael watched as a couple of stage hands helped Peter down the stage stairs to make his way back stage. His legs were flailing. Peter literally could not walk! Peter Wolf was so pumped, he had no control of his extremities. It wasn't drugs or alcohol, it was adrenaline, pure and simple. 

20 minutes later, Peter had cooled down enough so the interview could begin. He tells the J. Geils story very well, and his love of radio and the personalities he grew up with soon became evident. During the interview, Peter and Michael are joined by Seth Justman and then Magic Dick. But, the interview really belongs to Peter Wolf. Take a listen - you’ll hear.

This interview was recorded in 1981 at The University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire. Michael’s assistants on this particular evening were Beth Nicholson and Stephen George. Notes for this particular interview are incomplete, but it is very likely the interview was coordinated by Caroline Prutzman at EMI-America Records in New York.