It looks as if the relationship between guitarist J. Geils and the band that bears his name is broken beyond repair.

Ten days after the J. Geils Band announced plans to tour without John Geils Jr. — better known to fans as J. — an attorney representing the guitarist has filed a lawsuit accusing his bandmates, Peter Wolf, Seth Justman, Magic Dick, and Danny Klein, of trademark infringement and deceptive business practices.

The 44-page suit filed Wednesday in US District Court in Boston claims that Geils owns the “J. Geils Band” trademark, and the band is “seeking to misappropriate and steal” the name from Geils by touring without him.

“Mr. Geils has this trademark and never transferred it to anybody,” said attorney Chuck Grimes, who represents Geils. “These guys performed in Mr. Geils’s band, but that doesn’t give them the right to grab the name.”

James Weinberger, the attorney for the other band members, said Wednesday he hadn’t seen the lawsuit and could not comment.

Fans of the band were more than a little confused last month when the band, whose hits include “Musta Got Lost” and “Freeze-Frame,” announced plans to tour without their namesake. In a statement, the band said the split was the result of an “ongoing legal dispute” between Geils and the other members over the rights to the name J. Geils Band.

Geils applied to the US Patent and Trademark Office for the “J. Geils Band” trademark in 2008, and was awarded it a year later. Weinberger said Geils sought the trademark without telling Wolf or the others.

“He did this and nobody knew about it,” Weinberger said. “That’s a pretty strong affront.”

The lawsuit lays out the long history of the J. Geils Band, beginning in 1967 or so, when Geils, Klein, and Magic Dick performed as the J. Geils Blues Band. Wolf and Justman, who would become the group’s principal songwriters, joined in 1969.

Over the years, however, even as the band became more popular (thanks to the song “Centerfold,” the “Freeze-Frame” LP reached No. 1 in 1981), Geils was restless and twice tried to quit the band, according to the lawsuit. In 1982, the suit claims, he was “forced under extreme pressure” to sign a document that prevented band members — or “shareholders” — from using “J. Geils Band” for a commercial purpose that didn’t involve the rest of the band.

“That raises some confusion,” Grimes acknowledged Wednesday. “But at the end of the day, the rights of Mr. Geils will be upheld over the rights of any other claimant. It’s his name. There’s nothing that would stop Wolf and Justman from billing themselves as ‘formerly of the J. Geils Band.’ That would be accurate.”

From Boston.com

4wordsaboutthiskindofshit = shut up and play.

I hate the music BUSINESS. I wish J. was with the band but I do hope that I get to see them on this run. They're one on my bucket list. Shame to hear about the legal problems. Anybody got any info on tour dates?

Peace,
Mr DJA

The J. Geils Band have announced their 2012 Houseparty Tour. Beginning Aug. 25 in Syracuse, N.Y., the veteran rockers will play nine dates in the Northeast, winding up in Hampton Beach, N.H. on Sept. 22. More dates are expected to be added soon.

But there is a catch. Although the tour brings back original members Peter Wolf (vocals), Magic Dick (harmonica), Danny Klein (bass) and Seth Justman (keyboards), they will be without the band’s namesake, John “J.” Geils. Yes, this confused us, too. However, there is an explanation.

“The band is challenging Francesca Records’ baseless claim to ownership and control of the rights to the name ‘J. Geils Band,’” the group said via press release. “Unfortunately, John Geils’ decision to align with Francesca Records has hindered a working relationship with The J. Geils Band.”

Their love’s gone cold and it’s our memories that are being sold as a result. Still, as long as Wolf is there keep the party going and Magic Dick blows some ‘Whammer Jammer,’ it’s still bound to be a great time.

2012 J. Geils Band Houseparty Tour Dates

Aug. 25 – Syracuse, N.Y. — New York State Fair
Aug. 26, – Essex Junction, Vt. — Champlain Valley Expo
Aug. 28 – Allentown, Pa. — The Great Allentown Fair
Aug. 31 – Buffalo, N.Y. — Erie Canal Harbor
Sept. 12 – Westbury, N.Y. — Theatre at Westbury
Sept. 15 – Atlantic City, N.J. — Tropicana Casino
Sept. 16 – Uncasville, Ct. — Mohegan Sun
Sept. 19 – Port Chester, N.Y. — Capitol Theatre
Sept. 22 – Hampton Beach, N.H. — Hampton Beach Casino

Dang. All in the northeast. Bummer.

Peace,
Mr. DJA

I always thought it was weird that they were called the J.Geils Band. He didn't write or sing, and he wasn't necessarily the dominant instrumentalist.

I say change it to the Jake Isles Band!

Even as little as a couple of years ago they would have tied for second w/ Springsteen as the second greatest live rock show in the history of the world... behind the Stones of course.

Guess J. Geils is too busy to tour.

I think the band underestimates their popularity. They should be conducting a national tour with help of a good promoter! Regardless, hopefully a S. Florida date is in mind.

Quote
MidnightRambler1990
I always thought it was weird that they were called the J.Geils Band. He didn't write or sing, and he wasn't necessarily the dominant instrumentalist.

Sort of like the Spencer Davis Group, the Dave Clark Five, or Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, where the "name" guy isn't the lead vocalist.

At least in Van Halen and Santana the namesake is, as you say, the dominant instrumentalist.

Didn't this same band kick out Peter Wolf - their frontman - years ago? So at different times this band has played without its namesake and without its lead singer.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-08-05 22:34 by 71Tele.

Quote
loog droog

Sort of like the Spencer Davis Group, the Dave Clark Five, or Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, where the "name" guy isn't the lead vocalist.
.

I always wondered if some people watched TOTP and assumed Manfred Mann or Rod Argent was the lead singer in their bands (or even if some people went to gigs and assumed Rod Stewart was Jeff Beck!).

Quote
Braincapers

Quote
loog droog

Sort of like the Spencer Davis Group, the Dave Clark Five, or Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, where the "name" guy isn't the lead vocalist.
.

I always wondered if some people watched TOTP and assumed Manfred Mann or Rod Argent was the lead singer in their bands

artie shaw and count basie weren't lead singers in their bands, either. really makes you wonder sometimes.

Maybe they should just remove the guy's name altogether and just tour as 'The Band'.

or go back to their original name: Snoopy and the Sopwith Camels...has a certain je ne sais quality to it....

change from J Geils Band to XJ Geils Band or even X Geils Band

I have tix to see these guys in Buffalo. I had no idea J was not part of this tour, but I will pay to see them anyway. It would be nice to have all the originals that could make it, but for me what matters is Peter Wolf and Magic Dick. I saw Peter Wolf with his band a couple of years ago and he was great.

Sad to see another legal fight derail a group.

I wonder if "Rockman" has a patent on "Rockman"?

Quote
71Tele
Didn't this same band kick out Peter Wolf - their frontman - years ago? So at different times this band has played without its namesake and without its lead singer.

They released one horrific album, "you're getting even i'm gettin odd" with Sethman as vocalist, before they wrapped it up. The album was full of synths and loops (Sethman) and clinically rinsed off guitar playing and the good grooves.

Why was Wolf kicked out? He had been writing songs with Don Covay, and wanted to take the band back to their roots. Instead, they chose the 80s sound and tried to milk their recent commercial success.

I think this lawsuit is just sad. They should play together when they can, everywhere.

One of my favorite bands.

They could tour as "Former J. Geils Band".

But it's tough this lawsuit effectively buries the hopes of a reunion album from these guys. It would have been wonderful, though.

Lots of infighting and bickering in this band with lawsuits aplently

I am sickened by this latest example of bullshit and greed in the music business.
Managers, agents, promoters, and attorneys constantly poison the concert business and drain the fun right out of everything.

The J. Geils Band was the best live band on the planet.

Just in case anyone cares, I won't be buying a ticket this time around.
Shame on everyone involved.

Quote
Kurt
Just in case anyone cares, I won't be buying a ticket this time around.

nobody does; but it was worth a shot anyway...

Worth seeing anyway

Quote
mickscarey
Worth seeing anyway

I politely disagree.

I'm sure that the music will be great,as the remaining cast of characters are top notch pros.

But...the ticket-buying fans must, at some point, speak loudly and proudly with their wallets. Buying a ticket to this "sham" only encourages the industry to continually screw with the public.

At least it will solve one problem:
Now, when the morons screaming for 'Centerfold' ask each other "Which one is J. Geils???" The answer will clearly be "None of them!"

Piss on the wall.

Quote
loog droog

Quote
MidnightRambler1990
I always thought it was weird that they were called the J.Geils Band. He didn't write or sing, and he wasn't necessarily the dominant instrumentalist.

Sort of like the Spencer Davis Group, the Dave Clark Five, or Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, where the "name" guy isn't the lead vocalist.

At least in Van Halen and Santana the namesake is, as you say, the dominant instrumentalist.

yeah but j geils was the guy that started the band and was even the singer in the very beginning; i can totally see why it was called j geils band

the guy is a killer guitar player too

j geils band was a great live act, up until at least the 'commericial' era in the early 80s with centerfold and all that garbage; i mean they were still great live but had to play these crummy songs

i'd love to see them but for me wouldnt be the same without j geils on the guitar



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-08-06 18:20 by pinkfloydthebarber.

Couldnt they tour as "The JAY Geils Band"? (I mean if he only has the copyright on ""J" Geils...;-)

Quote
Kurt
I am sickened by this latest example of bullshit and greed in the music business.
Managers, agents, promoters, and attorneys constantly poison the concert business and drain the fun right out of everything.

Um, in this case it's the band members who instigated both sides of this mess.

Quote
R

Quote
Kurt
I am sickened by this latest example of bullshit and greed in the music business.
Managers, agents, promoters, and attorneys constantly poison the concert business and drain the fun right out of everything.

Um, in this case it's the band members who instigated both sides of this mess.

if kurt wants to rant, pls don't get in the way with facts. ranting is good for the soul...or something...