Where Did Our Love Go (Live 1976)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs spinning records at THE ZOO radio station, are cranking up "Where Did Our Love Go (Live 1976)" by The J. Geils Band from their high-energy album Live: Blow Your Face Out for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This live rendition, recorded during a 1976 performance, showcases the band’s knack for transforming covers into gritty, soulful spectacles. Originally a 1964 hit by The Supremes, The J. Geils Band’s version, as discussed in fan posts on Reddit, brings a raw, blues-rock edge, with Peter Wolf’s raspy vocals and Magic Dick’s searing harmonica turning the Motown classic into a foot-stomping, live-wire experience. The track, captured during shows in Boston and Detroit, reflects the band’s reputation for electrifying crowds, a hallmark of their 1970s peak.

While specific anecdotes about this live cut are scarce, Peter Wolf, in a 2025 interview with Billboard, hinted at the chaotic, fun vibe of their ‘70s tours, where the band’s loose, improvisational style shone. Fans on Facebook have shared memories of J. Geils Band concerts from this era, noting how covers like “Where Did Our Love Go” got audiences dancing wildly, with Wolf’s stage antics—leaping, twirling, and bantering—stealing the show. A post on X from a longtime listener recalls a 1976 gig where the band extended the song’s outro, letting Magic Dick’s harmonica wail, a moment preserved on Live: Blow Your Face Out and cherished for its unscripted passion.

The J. Geils Band came together in 1967 in Worcester, Massachusetts, led by guitarist John "J." Geils. The lineup featured vocalist Peter Wolf, harmonica and sax player Richard "Magic Dick" Salwitz, drummer Stephen Bladd, vocalist/keyboardist Seth Justman, and bassist Danny Klein. Starting as The J. Geils Blues Band, they shifted from pure blues to a rock-infused sound, drawing from influences like James Brown and Otis Redding, as Magic Dick noted in a 2008 interview cited on Wikipedia. Peter Wolf, born Peter Walter Blankfield on March 7, 1946, in the Bronx, New York, studied at the High School of Music & Art before landing in Boston. There, he played with The Hallucinations and became a late-night DJ at WBCN, dubbed "Woofa Goofa," chatting with rock and blues icons.

In 1967, Wolf teamed up with Bladd and J. Geils, building a buzz in Boston with explosive live sets. Their unique twist—using harmonica as a lead instrument—and Wolf’s wild stage presence, like vaulting with a mic stand, set them apart. By 1969, Atlantic Records’ Mario Medious caught a Boston show, blown away by their take on John Lee Hooker’s “Serves You Right to Suffer,” as recounted in a 2025 Washington Post article. This led to a record deal, launching a run of ‘70s hits and legendary performances, including the fiery cover of “Where Did Our Love Go” that the Zoo Crew’s spinning now.

Dive deeper into The J. Geils Band and Peter Wolf at the official sites www.jgeilsband.com and www.peterwolf.com. Stay connected via Peter’s Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts. Join fellow fans at The College of Rock and Roll Knowledge on Facebook, a lively spot for sharing love and stories about the band.