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Guitarist and former leader of The J. Geils Band, J. Geils has been found dead at the age of 71 in his Groton, Massachusetts home. A cause of death has yet to be released. The J. Geils band released their self-titled debut album in 1970, opening for artists such as B.B. King, The Allman Brothers, and The Byrds. Mainstream success was achieved in 1980 with the release of their album ‘Love Stinks’ whose title song went on to become a pop culture hit, featuring in many films and commercials. The band is perhaps best known for their single ‘Centerfold’ which sat at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 6 weeks in 1982. The album ‘Centerfold’ was featured, ‘Freeze Frame’ gave way to the chart-topping single of the same name, reaching number four on the Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks. The track went on to become a definitive sporting event staple. After releasing 11 studio albums and contributing to the soundtrack for the cult classic “Fright Night”, they broke up, reuniting throughout the coming decades on multiple occasions for limited shows. Geils also produced an album for Danny Klein, formed the band Bluestime, played in New Guitar Summit and Kings of Strings, and released three solo jazz albums. As a car-racing enthusiast, Geils drove in five races during The J. Geils Band’s ‘Freeze Frame’ peak-popularity, and opened KTR Motorsports, an automobile restoration shop in his home state of Massachusetts. Fill your ears with the sound of the 80s down below, with ‘Centerfold’, ‘Freeze Frame’, and ‘Love Stinks’.

Sarah Medeiros