The J. Geils Band

Although J. Geils was the nominal leader of the group, it was singer Peter Wolf and keyboardist Seth Justman who were the real creative force within the band, both as writers and performers. When the two of them parted ways, it marked the end of the line for Geils' band.

The relatively high percentage of live tracks on our playlist is due to the fact that the J. Geils Band was always at their best onstage. Prior to Springsteen assuming the mantle, Geils set the high-water mark for extended high-energy stage performances, and they built a solid following from their live base.

Lost amid their latter-day, glittering keyboard sounds was the fact that Geils were, at heart, a blues-boogie juke joint band with more than a touch of early Stones (check out "Believe In Me" or "Wild Man" for examples). And their cover of "Funky Judge" is a stone-cold classic.

In nearly 20 years of performing, Boston's favorite sons will best be known for two riffs, one vocal, and one keyboard: "na na na-na na na, na-na na na, na-na-na na na" and "deet-deet-deet-deet deedle-ee deet deet." The first is from their chart-topping track "Centerfold," and the latter comes from "Freeze Frame." So compelling is the latter riff that it's joined Van Halen's "Jump" and Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll (Part 2)" in stadiums worldwide.