Album Description:
The J. Geils Band was a rock band that rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s. They were known for their energetic live shows, bluesy rock sound, and charismatic frontman Peter Wolf. One of their most popular albums is "Ladies Invited," which was released in 1973 on a 12" vinyl LP.
The J. Geils Band was formed in 1967 in Worcester, Massachusetts. The band consisted of lead vocalist Peter Wolf, guitarist J. Geils, bassist Danny Klein, keyboardist Seth Justman, and drummer Stephen Jo Bladd. They began playing around Boston and gained a reputation for their high-energy live shows. In 1970, they released their debut album, "The J. Geils Band." The album received positive reviews but did not sell well.
In 1973, they released "Ladies Invited," which would become one of their most popular albums. The album showcased the band's bluesy rock sound and featured several songs that became staples of their live shows.
"Ladies Invited" was a critical and commercial success for The J. Geils Band. The album reached #27 on the Billboard 200 chart and helped to establish the band as one of the most popular live acts of the 1970s. The album's bluesy rock sound and energetic performances influenced many other bands of the era, and several of the album's tracks remain popular among classic rock fans today.
Production & Recording Information
The album: "THE J. GEILS BAND – Ladies Invited" was produced by:
Bill Szymczyk for Pandora Productions
Sound/Recording Engineer(s):
Allan Blazek, Bill Szymczyk
This album was recorded at:
The Hit Factory ( New York City )
Mixed at The Caribou Ranch ( Colorado )
Album cover design: Ira Friedlander
Album cover artwork:
Douglas T. Slade, Antonio
Album cover photography:
Robert Agriopoulos
Antonio Lopez: The Fashion Illustrator Who Brought Style to Life
Antonio Lopez (1943–1987) was a groundbreaking Puerto Rican-American fashion illustrator whose vibrant, sensual, and expressive work helped define the visual language of fashion in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Known simply as Antonio, his legacy is marked by bold lines, colorful energy, and an unrelenting celebration of diversity and glamour. His influence extended beyond magazine pages to album covers, including the iconic artwork for THE J. GEILS BAND – Ladies Invited (1973).
Early Life and Background
Antonio was born on February 11, 1943, in Utuado, Puerto Rico. His family moved to New York City when he was a child, and he attended the prestigious High School of Art and Design before enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). His early work showed remarkable fluidity and command of the human form, blending classical training with urban spontaneity.
Rise to Fame in Fashion
Antonio began his professional career drawing for publications like Women's Wear Daily, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar. His illustrations were not just commercial—they were art. With kinetic line work and dramatic postures, Antonio captured the attitude of fashion better than photography ever could at the time. His ability to distill movement and elegance onto the page quickly made him a favorite among designers.
The Paris Years and Collaborations
In the early 1970s, Antonio moved to Paris with longtime collaborator and creative partner Juan Ramos. There, he connected with major designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, and Kenzo. He also discovered and worked with several soon-to-be stars, including Jerry Hall, Grace Jones, Jessica Lange, and Tina Chow.
Signature Style
Antonio's illustrations fused fine art, pop culture, and street fashion. He often portrayed models and muses with exaggerated features, fierce gazes, and stylized expressions. His work was deeply inclusive, celebrating a wide range of body types, genders, and ethnicities well before diversity became a buzzword in fashion.
Album Art: Ladies Invited
One of Antonio's notable contributions outside of traditional fashion media was the cover art for THE J. GEILS BAND – Ladies Invited. The 1973 LP featured his signature brushwork—an alluring montage of eyes, lips, and lipstick strokes against a white background. The figure on the cover is believed to have been inspired by actress Faye Dunaway, who would later marry the band's singer, Peter Wolf.
Legacy and Influence
Antonio Lopez died in 1987 due to AIDS-related complications. Despite his early death, his influence is still deeply felt. His illustrations are part of the permanent collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Museum of Modern Art in New York. A number of retrospectives, books, and documentaries have celebrated his work, including Antonio: Fashion, Art, Sex and Disco (2012).
Antonio's art captured not just fashion, but the soul of a time when style, identity, and freedom collided. He remains one of the most visionary illustrators in the history of fashion.
