Give It to Me

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin the funky, reggae-tinged "Give It to Me" by The J. Geils Band from their 1973 album Bloodshot. This track, a standout on the album, was the band's first self-penned hit, reaching #30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #15 on the Cash Box Top 100. The single version had a distinct ending compared to the album's epic 6-minute, 32-second jam, which explodes with harmonica, guitar, and bongo solos. Frontman Peter Wolf's intro, "Now don't touch that dial because I think we're gonna have some fun with this one," sets the stage for a riotous performance that leaves listeners both exhausted and craving more. The song's infectious energy and R&B swagger made it a concert favorite, showcasing the band's ability to channel their live intensity into a studio recording.

One juicy piece of trivia about "Give It to Me" comes from its place in the Bloodshot album, which was pressed on striking red vinyl in its original U.S. release, a nod to the album's title and the band's bold style. Fans on platforms like Discogs recall the thrill of discovering this vibrant red LP in record shops, with one fan sharing a memory of buying it in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1973 and being shocked by the colorful vinyl. The song's extended album version, unlike the trimmed-down single, lets Magic Dick's harmonica and J. Geils' searing guitar riffs shine, creating a perfect closer for an album hailed as a "classic" by reviewers on Amazon. The track's raw power even inspired comparisons to The Rolling Stones, but with a funkier, Boston-bred edge.

The J. Geils Band formed in 1967 in Worcester, Massachusetts, under the leadership of guitarist John "J." Geils. The original lineup included Peter Wolf on vocals, Richard "Magic Dick" Salwitz on harmonica and saxophone, Stephen Bladd on drums, Seth Justman on keyboards and vocals, and Danny Klein on bass. Wolf and Justman became the primary songwriters, crafting a sound rooted in R&B-influenced blues rock. The band started as The J. Geils Blues Band, honing their craft in Boston's tough late-'60s rock circuit, playing alongside acts like B.B. King and The Allman Brothers. Their early gigs, including a legendary performance at the final show of New York's Fillmore East in 1971, built their reputation as a ferocious live act. After signing with Atlantic Records in 1970, they released their debut album that November, blending covers of Motown hits like The Contours' "First I Look at the Purse" with original tracks.

The band's breakthrough came with Bloodshot, their third studio album, which hit #10 on the Billboard 200. Their early years were marked by relentless touring, opening for diverse acts like Johnny Winter and The Byrds, and circulating unofficial live recordings like the infamous "bathroom tapes" from Boston's WBCN. These raw, gritty performances captured their party-rocking spirit, which "Give It to Me" perfectly encapsulated. The band's shift to a more mainstream sound in the early 1980s brought their commercial peak with hits like "Centerfold" from the multi-platinum Freeze Frame, but their 1970s work, including Bloodshot, remains a fan favorite for its unpolished soul.

You can connect with The J. Geils Band and their legacy through their official website at jgeilsband.com. Follow them on Facebook and check out fan-driven content on the tribute page Bloodshot: A Tribute to J. Geils Band, which celebrates their music with 487 likes. While the band doesn't maintain active Instagram or X accounts, fans share memories and clips on these platforms using hashtags like #JGeilsBand. For deeper dives, visit the fan-site archive The J. Geils Band.Net, where devotees like Chris Coughlin and Chuck from Philly post memorabilia, including photos from a 1973 Winterland show and Peter Wolf's 2022 concert at The Cabot.