Formed in Worchester, MA, The J. Geils band started out as the J. Geils Blues Band. They dropped the word “blues” in the 70’s and became one of the most exciting touring bands combining blues, R&B, Doo-Wop, soul and rock. They built a huge following in the US with their energetic live show featuring the charismatic stage-antics of lead singer Peter Wolf and introduced rock harmonica as a lead instrument, courtesy of Magic Dick! By the time they played their second gig at Cortland’s Lusk Field House in March 1978, they had changed record labels due to waning singles success and shortened their name to “Geils.” They wouldn’t have another chart hit until two years later with “Love Stinks”.
- “Must of Got Lost”
- “Ain’t Nothin’ But A House Party
- “I Do”
SAB CCC at Lusk Field House
The J. Geils Band returned to SUNY Cortland on March 18, 1978, for a massive, packed show at the Lusk Field House. Sponsored by the student-run Board of Governors (BoG), it cemented the group’s status as a campus favorite.
The 1978 performance captured the band during a pivotal transitional year:
The Sound and Setlist
By March 1978, the band was actively touring and refining material that would define their late-70s era. They were just months away from releasing their eighth studio album, Sanctuary (November 1978), which marked their transition to EMI Records and a more streamlined, hard-rocking sound. The Cortland crowd was treated to a mix of their classic heavy-blues covers—like “First I Look at the Purse”—alongside high-velocity party rock anthems like “Must of Got Lost”.
The Concert Atmosphere
- A Packed House: The Lusk Field House was notoriously hot, loud, and energetic for this gig. Students and local residents packed the floor, which had a reputation for turning into a giant, sweaty dance floor.
- The Frontmen: Peter Wolf’s hyperactive, fast-talking mic work and Magic Dick’s legendary harmonica solos (especially on “Whammer Jammer”) were the absolute focal points of the night.