CONCORD, Mass. — The founder and namesake of The J. Geils Band is facing drunken driving charges in Massachusetts.

Police said John Warren Geils Jr. was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and failing to stop at a sign after a crash in Concord about 1 p.m. Tuesday. No one was hurt.

Geils was the lead guitarist of the band, which was founded in the late 1960s but reached its pinnacle in the 1980s with the hit songs “Love Stinks,” “Freeze-Frame” and “Centerfold.”

The Sun of Lowell reported that the 70-year-old Geils, of nearby Groton, was released on personal recognizance.

Geils’ lawyer tells The Boston Globe that his client disputes the facts of the case and plans to “vigorously defend himself.”


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.