J. Geils Band

Peter Wolf has been spending a lot of time lately looking both forward and backward.

J. Geils was found dead in his home in Groton, Mass., at the age of 71.

After 10 years and 11 albums, the J. Geils Band nudged into the pop mainstream with 1980's Love Stinks — but that was just the warm-up for their next, and biggest, album.

No matter how you feel about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there's no denying the excitement of witnessing former bandmates back onstage at the ceremony.

Here's our list of five reasons we'd like to see the J. Geils Band up at that podium next April.

We count down our favorite songs by the much-loved bar band.

The J. Geils Band's 11th LP started their early '80s ascension in earnest.

The J. Geils Band's self-titled debut arrived after years spent honing their live act — and multiple attempts at distilling that energy in the studio.

With the next round of nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame presumably right around the corner, now seems like a pretty good time for some good old-fashioned conjecture.

J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf married Faye Dunaway 40 years ago, one day after they became engaged.