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Musical Legacy at SUNY Cortland

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J. Geils with Peter Frampton

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!  They were the ultimate bar band that churned it out on tour in the 1970’s. They disbanded in the 1980’s citing trouble recreating their live sound in the studio.  Opening for J. Geils at Cortland Lusk Field House was Peter Frampton. 

  • “Ain’t Nothin’ But A House Party” 
  • “Make Up Your Mind” 
  • “Give It To Me” 
The J. Geils Band played a legendary concert at SUNY Cortland’s Lusk Field House on May 11, 1973. The high-energy performance, which was heavily promoted by campus media at the time, took place right before the release of their breakthrough live album, Full House. 
At this peak era in the band’s history, the show featured the classic party-rock, R&B, and blues-infused sound that defined the group’s early years. Fans were treated to the charismatic stage presence of lead singer Peter Wolf and the signature harmonica stylings of “Magic Dick”. 
While they returned for a second massive gig at the Lusk Field House in March 1978, the 1973 show remains a favorite memory of the 1970s campus music scene.

What happens when David Bowie (real name David Jones!) is your schoolmate, then play Buddy Holly tunes together and Bowie’s art teacher is your dad?  You become one of the greatest rock guitarists in the world!  In 1969, at the age of 18, Peter Frampton created Humble Pie, one of Britain’s first supergroups. While playing with Humble Pie, Frampton moonlighted as a session player for Harry Nilsson, Jerry Lee Lewis and John Entwistle of the Who.  As a solo artist, Peter Frampton played Cortland opening for the J. Geils Band at Lusk Field House. His second solo album, “Frampton’s Camel” had just been released and he wowed the students showing off his new technology, the “talk box” that became Frampton’s signature guitar effect.  

  • “I Got My Eyes On You” 
  • “Do You Feel Like We Do” 
  • “Lines On My Face” 

BoG CF at Lusk Field House

Musical Legacy at SUNY Cortland

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