During the early days of MTV in the early 1980’s, it was nearly impossible to go an hour without seeing a video from either Jefferson Starship / Starship or The J. Geils Band. From 1980 – 1982, The J. Geils Band hit the Billboard Top 40 six times with early MTV staples “Love Stinks” and “Come Back” as well as mega hits “Freeze Frame” – which peaked at number 4 – and number one hit “Centerfold.” Led by their charismatic lead singer Peter Wolf, they were perfect for the early MTV videos.
Jefferson Starship rolled into the 1980’s with their brand of guitar-driven rock and found consistent rotation in the early MTV era with videos for “Find Your Way Back” and “No Way Out.” With some personnel and music direction changes, the group rebranded as Starship for the release of their 1985 LP Knee Deep in the Hoopla. During the first half of the 80’s. Jefferson Starship hit the Top 40 four times. After the change to Starship, the band would produce six Top 40 hits in the 80’s including three number one hits – “We Built This City,” “Sara” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”
With so much popular exposure for J. Geils Band and Starship, it must’ve been confusing to pop fans when they looked at the liner notes of their Starship records to see writing, playing and producing credits to Peter Wolf. Many fans likely thought Peter Wolf had either left The J. Geils Band or was moonlighting with Starship. In fact, neither theory was true. There were two different men named Peter Wolf that contributed to some of the most well-known songs of the 80’s; Peter Wolf – the Bronx-born, Boston-based lead singer of The J. Geils Band that went on to have a critically acclaimed solo career and Austrian born Peter Wolf that was a prolific songwriter, producer and musician.
In the list below, there are accomplishments of both men named Peter Wolf. You decide who is the best.
Peter Wolf – singer for The J. Geils Band
Lead singer and songwriter for The J. Geils Band. Co-wrote classic hits “Must of Got Lost,” “Come Back,” “Love Stinks” and “Freeze Frame.”
Married to Academy Award winning actress Faye Dunaway from 1974-1979.
First late-night DJ for Boston radio station WBCN in the late 1960’s.
After J. Geils Band, Wolf has released eight solo albums including Lights Out, Come as You Are and Midnight Souvenirs – all three would be Top 100 albums on the Billboard 200 album charts. The singles “Lights Out” (number 12 in 1984) and “Come as You Are” (number 15 in 1987) were hits on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Sleepless, his sixth solo album released in 2002, was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as number 427 in their list of the 500 best albums in history.
Wolf has collaborated with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Merle Haggard, Neko Case and Steve Earle on his solo records.
Sang a duet with Aretha Franklin – “Push” – from her 1985 album Who’s Zoomin’ Who?
Peter Wolf – Songwriter for Jefferson Starship/Starship, Producer, Arranger and Musician
Peter Wolf co-wrote three of Jefferson Starship/Starship’s biggest hits – “No Way Out,” “We Built This City” and “Sara.” “We Built This City” and “Sara” both peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Wolf played keyboards for Frank Zappa on Joe’s Garage Act 1, Tinsel Town Rebellion and Shut Up ‘n’ Play Yer Guitar.
Played synthesizers on Red Rider’s As Far As Siam – which included “Lunatic Fringe.”
Credited with synthesizers and orchestration on Survivor’s 1984 Top 10 single “The Search Is Over.”
Co-wrote and produced Wang Chung’s hit “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” – which peaked at number two on Billboard Hot 100.
Produced and played keyboards on Big Country’s 1988 album Peace in Our Time.
Produced four songs on Back To Avalon 1988 album from Kenny Loggins. Wolf also co-wrote the title track.
Wolf produced 1999’s Eye II Eye by Scorpions. He also co-wrote five songs on the album.
Produced Lou Gramm’s 1989 album Long Hard Look and co-wrote four of the songs and played keyboards.
In addition, he has worked with Heart, Chicago, Nik Kershaw, Patti Labelle, Go West and Commodores.
