John Geils Jr. was a Worcester Polytechnic Institute student when he met bassist Danny Klein and harmonica player Richard Salwitz — two friends with whom he would form a trio that grew into one of Boston’s best-known bands.

A guitarist whose early tastes ran more toward jazz and blues than the rock ’n’ roll that would make him famous, Mr. Geils became a founder of the band that used an abbreviated form of his name — J. Geils Band — and gained stardom with the 1981 album “Freeze-Frame,” and its number-one single “Centerfold.” Mr. Geils, who in recent years had rekindled his lifelong passion for jazz and blues, was found dead late Tuesday afternoon in his Groton home. He was 71.

Groton police found him after responding for a well-being check at his house. Foul play is not suspected, the police department said in a statement, but his death is still being investigated, a standard procedure for unattended deaths.   

from  www.bostonglobe.com