Tower of Power

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Tower of Power
TOP Buffalo.jpg
Tower of Power, Buffalo, New York, November 11, 2008
Background information
Origin Oakland, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1968–present
Labels
Members
Past memberssee past members
Website www.towerofpower.com

Tower of Power is an American R&B and funk based band and horn section, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing since 1968. [1] There have been a number of lead vocalists, the best-known being Lenny Williams, who fronted the band between early 1973 and late 1974, the period of their greatest commercial success. They have had eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100; [2] their highest-charting songs include "You're Still a Young Man", "So Very Hard to Go", "What Is Hip?", and "Don't Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)". [3] [4]

Contents

History

In the summer of 1968, tenor saxophonist/vocalist Emilio Castillo met Stephen "Doc" Kupka, who played baritone sax. Castillo had played in several bands, but Castillo's father told his son to "hire that guy" after a home audition. [5] Within months the group, then known as The Motowns, began playing various gigs around Oakland and Berkeley, their soul sound appealing to both minority and counterculture listeners. [3] [6]

Castillo wanted to play Bill Graham's Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, but he realized he would never get in with a name like The Motowns. [6] The band agreed on Tower of Power and the name stuck. [7]

By 1970, the now renamed Tower of Power—now including trumpet/arranger Greg Adams, first trumpet Mic Gillette, first saxophone Skip Mesquite, Francis "Rocco" Prestia on bass, Willie Fulton on guitar, and drummer David Garibaldi—signed a recording contract with Bill Graham's San Francisco Records and released their first album, East Bay Grease . Rufus Miller performed most of the lead vocals on this debut album. [3] The group was first introduced to the San Francisco Bay area by radio station KSAN, which played a variety of artists such as Cold Blood, Eric Mercury, and Marvin Gaye.

Augmented by percussionist/conga/bongo player Brent Byars, Tower of Power was released from their San Francisco label contract and moved to Warner Bros. Records. Rick Stevens replaced Rufus Miller as lead singer on 1972's Bump City, which gave the band their first national exposure. [8] This album included the hit single "You're Still a Young Man", which peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Stevens' pinnacle vocal performance before leaving the band. [4] Emilio Castillo, who co-wrote the tune with Stephen Kupka, told Songfacts that the song was based on a true story about him and a former girlfriend who was six years his senior. [9]

Tower of Power, released in the spring of 1973, was the third album for the band. It featured soul singer Lenny Williams on lead vocals and Lenny Pickett on lead tenor saxophone. Bruce Conte replaced guitarist Willie Fulton and keyboardist Chester D.Thompson also joined the band during the recording of the album. The album spawned their most-successful single "So Very Hard to Go". Although the single peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, [4] it landed in the Top 10 on the surveys of many West Coast Top 40 radio stations, hitting #1 on many of them. The album also charted two other singles on the Billboard Hot 100, "This Time It's Real" and "What Is Hip?" [3]

1974's Back to Oakland spawned another hit, "Don't Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)", that reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Time Will Tell", which charted at #69. [4] The funk-jazz classic instrumental "Squib Cakes" also came from this album. [10]

On Urban Renewal (1974), the band moved more toward funk than soul; however, they continued recording ballads as well. Williams left the band in late 1974, and was replaced as vocalist by Hubert Tubbs. Though the band remained popular, their days of chart radio airplay declined. During the late 1970s they briefly tried recording disco-sounding material. [3]

On January 12, 2017, long-time drummer David Garibaldi and bassist Marc Van Wageningen were hit by a train as they walked across tracks before a performance in Oakland. [2] They both survived the accident. According to their manager, Jeremy Westby, they were both “responsive and being treated at a local hospital”. [2] They fully recovered and returned to the active lineup later that year.

Collaborations

Tower's horn section appeared on a number of other artists' recordings, including Otis Redding, Aaron Neville, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, David Sanborn, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Labelle, Huey Lewis, Little Feat, Heart, Michelle Shocked, Paula Abdul, Santana and Stevie Nicks. [3]

The horn section also recorded with bassist Larry Graham's Graham Central Station, Grateful Dead, Carlos Santana, Journey, Elkie Brooks, Cat Stevens (on his Foreigner Suite ), Luis Miguel, Linda Lewis, R.A.D. (Rose Ann Dimalanta), Jermaine Jackson, John Lee Hooker, Helen Reddy, Rufus, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Mickey Hart, Heart, Damn Yankees, Frankie Valli, Spyro Gyra, KMFDM, [11] Lyle Lovett, Poison, Phish (two songs on their album Hoist [12] ), Toto, Pharoahe Monch, Ned Doheny, Brothers Johnson, and Sam The, among many other acts. [2] [3]

The song "So Very Hard To Go" was featured on the soundtracks of the 2002 film City of God , [13] and Will Ferrell's 2008 film Semi-Pro .

Members

Current members

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbumChart positions Certifications
US Pop
[14] 		US R&B
[14] 		US Jazz
[14]
1970 East Bay Grease 106––
1972 Bump City 8516–
1973 Tower of Power 1511–
1974 Back to Oakland 2613–
1975 Urban Renewal 2219–
In the Slot 6729–
1976 Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now 4225–
1978 We Came to Play! 8933–
1979 Back on the Streets 10628–
1981 Direct –––
1987 Power (US version of TOP album)–––
1991 Monster on a Leash ––19
1993 T.O.P. –92–
1995 Souled Out ––7
1997 Rhythm & Business –––
1999Dinosaur Tracks(recorded 1980–1983)–––
2003Oakland Zone–––
2009The Great American Soulbook––3
2018Soul Side of Town–––
2020 Step Up [15] –––
"–" denotes releases that did not chart.

Live albums

YearAlbumChart positions
US Pop
[14] 		US R&B
[14] 		US Jazz
[14]
1976 Live and in Living Color 9929–
1999 Soul Vaccination: Tower of Power Live ––8
2008The East Bay Archive Volume 1(recorded April 1973 at K-K-K-Katy's, Boston, MA)–––
201140th Anniversary: The Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco––6
2013Hipper Than Hip: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (Live on the Air & In the Studio 1974) [15] –––
202150 Years of Funk & Soul - Live at the Fox Theater Oakland CA - June 2018–––
"–" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilations

Singles

YearTitleChart positions
Album
US
[16] 		US R&B
[14] 		CAN
1971"Back on the Streets Again"––– East Bay Grease
1972"You're Still a Young Man"292430 Bump City
"Down to the Nightclub"66––
1973"So Very Hard to Go"171136 Tower of Power
"This Time It's Real"6527–
1974"What Is Hip?"9139–
"Time Will Tell"6927– Back to Oakland
"Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream)"262259
"Only So Much Oil in the Ground"–85– Urban Renewal
1975"Willing to Learn"–77–
"You're So Wonderful, So Marvelous"–57– In the Slot
"Treat Me Like Your Man"–––
1976"You Ought to Be Havin' Fun"6862– Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now
"Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now"–95–
1978"Lovin' You Is Gonna See Me Thru"–98– We Came to Play!
"We Came to Play"–––
1979"Rock Baby"–61– Back on the Streets
"In Due Time"–––
"–" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Videos and DVDs

Note: Over the decades, there have been many televised performances of Tower of Power, several of which can be found on YouTube. In 2011, Time Life released TOP's November 10, 1973 Soul Train performance of "What is Hip?" on the CD The Best of Soul Train Live. [18] [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emilio Castillo</span> American saxophone player and composer

Emilio Castillo is an American saxophone player and composer, best known as the founder of the band Tower of Power.

<i>Aint Nothin Stoppin Us Now</i> 1976 studio album by Tower Of Power

Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now is an album by Tower of Power released in 1976, the band's first record on Columbia Records. Ron Beck takes up the drummers spot after David Garibaldi exited for a second time.

<i>Tower of Power</i> (album) 1973 studio album by Tower of Power

Tower of Power is the third album release for the Oakland-based band, Tower of Power. This is their most successful album to date, which was released in May 1973.

<i>T.O.P.</i> (Tower of Power album) 1993 studio album by Tower of Power

T.O.P. is a 1993 album by the soul/funk group Tower of Power. It was the last album to feature founding trumpet player and band horn arranger Greg Adams and vocalist Tom Bowes. It also features a reunion with saxophonist Lenny Pickett, who shows up on a few tracks.

<i>East Bay Grease</i> 1970 studio album by Tower of Power

East Bay Grease is the debut album by the soul and funk group Tower of Power, released in 1970. The band was one of the early music groups to be signed by Bill Graham's Fillmore Records, which released the LP.

<i>Bump City</i> 1972 studio album by Tower of Power

Bump City is the second album by the soul/funk group Tower of Power. The album cover is derived from a sketch by David Garibaldi. It's also their first album for Warner Bros. Records. With Rufus Miller now gone, Rick Stevens took the reins as the sole lead vocalist for this album.

<i>Soul Vaccination: Tower of Power Live</i> 1999 live album by Tower of Power

Soul Vaccination: Tower of Power Live is the second live album by the soul/funk group Tower of Power. It was recorded live in California during their 1998 world tour at two venues: The Fillmore in San Francisco and the Fox Theatre in Stockton.

<i>No Night So Long</i> 1980 studio album by Dionne Warwick

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<i>Back to Oakland</i> 1974 studio album by Tower of Power

Back to Oakland is the fourth album by Bay Area based band Tower of Power, released in early 1974 on Warner Bros. Records. It was voted by Modern Drummer magazine as one of the most important recordings for drummers to listen to. The cover photography was by Bruce Steinberg at San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, San Francisco, California.

<i>Urban Renewal</i> (Tower of Power album) 1975 studio album by Tower of Power

Urban Renewal is a Tower of Power album recorded in 1974 and released in 1975. It was the last to feature lead singer Lenny Williams, who would leave to continue a successful solo career. Drummer David Garibaldi left the band temporarily, although he does appear on the song "Willing To Learn," the first single. David Bartlett is the drummer for the rest of the album. Conga player Carter Collins replaced Brent Byars, who left after the previous album Back to Oakland.

<i>In the Slot</i> 1975 studio album by Tower of Power

In the Slot is a Tower of Power album released in 1975. It was their last studio album for Warner Bros. Records. It also marked the debut of new vocalist Hubert Tubbs. David Garibaldi returns to the drummer's throne after being absent from the previous album Urban Renewal, although the drummer from that album, David Bartlett, does appear as a background vocalist on this album, as does Garibaldi's next successor, Ron Beck. "Ebony Jam" and "Drop It in the Slot" were sampled on the Beastie Boys' 1989 album Paul's Boutique.

<i>We Came to Play!</i> 1978 studio album by Tower Of Power

We Came to Play! is an album by Tower of Power released in 1978. It marked the debut of singer Michael Jeffries, who would stay with T.O.P. through the mid-1980s. Steve Cropper produced this album. This album features Victor Conte, the future founder of the controversial BALCO, on bass, and who is also the cousin of band guitarist Bruce Conte. Drummer Ron Beck takes a lead vocal spot on "Love Bug", which features founding T.O.P. drummer David Garibaldi on second drums. Garibaldi would return to the band on the next album, but neither Conte, Bruce or Victor, would after this album.

<i>Back on the Streets</i> (Tower of Power album) 1979 studio album by Tower Of Power

Back on the Streets is an album by the American band Tower of Power, released in 1979. It was their last album with Columbia Records. The title derives from the song "Back on the Streets Again" from their debut album East Bay Grease. David Garibaldi returns to the drummer's spot a third time, only to leave after this album, again. It also marked the debut of bassist Vito San Filippo and guitarist Danny Hoefer. This would be Hoefer's only album as a member of Tower of Power.

<i>Live and in Living Color</i> 1976 live album by Tower Of Power

Live and in Living Color is a 1976 live album by Tower of Power and is their last album on Warner Bros. Records. It features a few of their biggest hits and some gems from their first album East Bay Grease. David Garibaldi left the band again after this album.

<i>Direct</i> (Tower of Power album) 1981 live album by Tower of Power

Direct is a 1981 live in-studio album by Tower of Power. It was their only album for the direct-to-disc record label Sheffield Lab. It also marked the return of original guitarist Willie James Fulton, not heard from since 1972's Bump City, and the last album to feature saxophonist Lenny Pickett. Mark Sanders plays drums on this album. Between this album and their 1987 comeback album Power, they would record the sessions that later became the Dinosaur Tracks CD. Besides that, save for the original single release of "Simple as That", this would be their last new release until 1987. It contained mostly songs from their previous albums, but included new material as well.

<i>Monster on a Leash</i> 1991 studio album by Tower of Power

Monster on a Leash is an album by the American band Tower of Power, released in 1991. It peaked at No. 19 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.

<i>Souled Out</i> (Tower of Power album) 1995 studio album by Tower of Power

Souled Out is a 1995 album by Tower of Power on Epic Records. It marked the debut of lead vocalist Brent Carter and drummer Herman Matthews, who, coincidentally, is a distant cousin of original TOP vocalist Rick Stevens. Founding member, baritone saxophone player Stephen "Doc" Kupka graces the front cover of the album. Jeff Lorber co-produced this album with band leader Emilio Castillo.

<i>Step Up</i> (Tower of Power album) 2020 studio album by Tower of Power

Step Up is a studio album by Tower of Power on Mack Avenue Records. It was recorded over the course of the 2010s, and was released on March 20, 2020. This album is the last Tower of Power album to feature lead vocalists Ray Greene and Marcus Scott, and is also the last album to feature legendary bassist Francis Rocco Prestia before his death a few months later.

References

  1. ↑ "Tower of Power Home". Tower of Power. 1968–2009. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Two Members of Tower of Power Hospitalized After Being Hit by Train". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Tower of Power, Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Tower of Power - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Tower of Power–Band Profile". towerofpower.com. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "TOWER OF POWER". Yoshi's. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  7. ↑ Lacy-Thompson, Tony. "Tower Of Power Still Bringing It". RegardingArts.com. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG Book '70s: T". Robertchristgau.com.
  9. ↑ "You're Still a Young Man". Songfacts.com. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Tower of Power: Back to Oakland". AllMusic. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  11. ↑ Fortunato, John (1996). "KMFDM Ready to 'Xtort'". The Aquarian Weekly . Arts Weekly, Inc. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Hoist". Phish. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  13. ↑ "City of God Soundtrack". SoundtrackINFO. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Tower of Power - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 20, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  15. 1 2 3 "Tower of Power Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Tower of Power". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Discography". Tower of Power. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  18. ↑ "The Best of Soul Train Live - Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  19. ↑ The Best of Soul Train Live (booklet). Time Life. 2011.
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