Tower of Power
Tower of Power is a horn-based funk/soul band from Oakland, California. In … Read Full Bio ↴Tower of Power is a horn-based funk/soul band from Oakland, California. In the mid-1960s, 17-year-old tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo moved from Detroit, Michigan, to Fremont, California. He started a band called the Motowns, specializing in soul music. In 1968, Castillo teamed up with baritone saxophonist Stephen "The Funky Doctor" Kupka and trumpet/trombone player Mic Gillette, moved to Oakland, and began writing original material. They changed the band's name to Tower of Power and began playing frequently in the Bay Area.
In 1970, TOP signed a recording contract with Bill Graham's San Francisco Records and quickly released its first album, East Bay Grease. 1972's Bump City and 1973's self-titled release were breakout albums for the band; the latter included possibly their most enduring song, What is Hip?.
Tower of Power has remained active throughout the 1970s, '80s, '90s, and into the 21st century, and is still touring in 2010. Personnel changes have been part of the history and evolution of the band; at least 60 musicians have performed, toured, and/or recorded with the band through the years, including Saturday Night Live musical director Lenny Pickett, drummer David Garibaldi, bassist Rocco Prestia, and bassist and BALCO founder Victor Conte. (His brother Bruce Conte played guitar in the band as well.) Lenny Williams served as lead singer for several years after one of the original singers, Rick Stevens was imprisoned. Rufus Miller performed most of the lead vocals on "East Bay Grease." Former lead vocalist Rick Stevens (real name Donald Stevenson) was sentenced to life in prison on three counts of first-degree murder relating to a botched drug deal, crimes committed after leaving the band. Stevens was paroled on July 20, 2012 after 36 years in prison. Rick Stevens died on September 5th, 2017.
TOP has released 15 albums over the years, the latest being 2003's The Oakland Zone. In addition, the horn section has become well-known as a backing horn section for other artists. The TOP horn section has appeared on many recordings, including some made by the Monkees, Santana, Elton John, John Lee Hooker, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Heart, Huey Lewis and the News, Lyle Lovett, Poison, Phish, Pharoahe Monch, and Aerosmith.
Official Website
(2) The renowned horn-driven funk outfit Tower of Power have been issuing albums and touring the world steadily since the early '70s, in addition to backing up countless other musicians. The group's leader since the beginning has always been tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo, who was born in Detroit but opted to pursue his musical dreams in Oakland, California. It was in Oakland that Castillo put together a group called the Motowns, which, as their name suggested, specialized in '60s-era soul. In 1967, Castillo teamed up with baritone sax player Stephen "Doc" Kupka, and soon the Motowns were transformed into Tower of Power. (One of the first tunes the duo penned together was "You're Still a Young Man," which would eventually go on to be one of Tower of Power's signature compositions.)
Tower of Power played regularly in the Bay Area throughout the late '60s, as their lineup often swelled up to ten members, including such other mainstays as Greg Adams on trumpet and vocals, Lenny Pickett on sax, and Rocco Prestia on bass. By 1970, the funk outfit had inked a recording contract with Bill Graham's San Francisco Records, resulting in the group's debut the same year, East Bay Grease, which failed to make an impression on the charts as Tower of Power were still trying to find their own sound.
But it soon came together for the group, as 1972's Bump City would touch off a string of classic hit albums, including 1973's self-titled release (which introduced vocalist Lenny Williams and included another of the group's most enduring tunes, "What Is Hip?"), 1974's Back to Oakland, and 1975's Urban Renewal and In the Slot. While Tower of Power remained a must-see live act, as disco became the new trend in R&B the group's original funk-laden style fell out of favor, and disco-oriented albums like 1978's We Came to Play and 1979's Back on the Streets didn't please critics or fans, and the band would go nine years without releasing an album.
Despite it all, Tower of Power -- in particular their horn section -- remained a much in-demand backing group for some of pop/rock's biggest names, including Elton John, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Little Feat, David Sanborn, Michelle Shocked, Paula Abdul, Aaron Neville, Aerosmith, Public Image Ltd., and many others. In 1988, Tower of Power returned to the studio for the album Power, and in 1991 they signed with Epic Records, where they released five albums by the end of the decade.
Into the new millennium, Tower of Power kept up their reputation as a strong live band, maintaining a steady touring schedule, and in 2009 they launched their own TOP Records label with The Great American Soulbook, in which they covered a dozen soul and R&B classics in the trademark Tower of Power style. In 2007, Tower of Power celebrated their fourth decade together with a special concert at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium, and a year later the show was issued in a special CD/DVD package, simply titled 40th Anniversary. In 2013, Tower of Power took a look back with the release of Hipper Than Hip: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, which documented a live radio broadcast from 1974. The bandmembers also announced they would be touring in 2013 and 2014 with two other iconic acts from Northern California, Journey and the Steve Miller Band. ~ Greg Prato & Steve Leggett, Rovi
In 1970, TOP signed a recording contract with Bill Graham's San Francisco Records and quickly released its first album, East Bay Grease. 1972's Bump City and 1973's self-titled release were breakout albums for the band; the latter included possibly their most enduring song, What is Hip?.
Tower of Power has remained active throughout the 1970s, '80s, '90s, and into the 21st century, and is still touring in 2010. Personnel changes have been part of the history and evolution of the band; at least 60 musicians have performed, toured, and/or recorded with the band through the years, including Saturday Night Live musical director Lenny Pickett, drummer David Garibaldi, bassist Rocco Prestia, and bassist and BALCO founder Victor Conte. (His brother Bruce Conte played guitar in the band as well.) Lenny Williams served as lead singer for several years after one of the original singers, Rick Stevens was imprisoned. Rufus Miller performed most of the lead vocals on "East Bay Grease." Former lead vocalist Rick Stevens (real name Donald Stevenson) was sentenced to life in prison on three counts of first-degree murder relating to a botched drug deal, crimes committed after leaving the band. Stevens was paroled on July 20, 2012 after 36 years in prison. Rick Stevens died on September 5th, 2017.
TOP has released 15 albums over the years, the latest being 2003's The Oakland Zone. In addition, the horn section has become well-known as a backing horn section for other artists. The TOP horn section has appeared on many recordings, including some made by the Monkees, Santana, Elton John, John Lee Hooker, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Heart, Huey Lewis and the News, Lyle Lovett, Poison, Phish, Pharoahe Monch, and Aerosmith.
Official Website
(2) The renowned horn-driven funk outfit Tower of Power have been issuing albums and touring the world steadily since the early '70s, in addition to backing up countless other musicians. The group's leader since the beginning has always been tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo, who was born in Detroit but opted to pursue his musical dreams in Oakland, California. It was in Oakland that Castillo put together a group called the Motowns, which, as their name suggested, specialized in '60s-era soul. In 1967, Castillo teamed up with baritone sax player Stephen "Doc" Kupka, and soon the Motowns were transformed into Tower of Power. (One of the first tunes the duo penned together was "You're Still a Young Man," which would eventually go on to be one of Tower of Power's signature compositions.)
Tower of Power played regularly in the Bay Area throughout the late '60s, as their lineup often swelled up to ten members, including such other mainstays as Greg Adams on trumpet and vocals, Lenny Pickett on sax, and Rocco Prestia on bass. By 1970, the funk outfit had inked a recording contract with Bill Graham's San Francisco Records, resulting in the group's debut the same year, East Bay Grease, which failed to make an impression on the charts as Tower of Power were still trying to find their own sound.
But it soon came together for the group, as 1972's Bump City would touch off a string of classic hit albums, including 1973's self-titled release (which introduced vocalist Lenny Williams and included another of the group's most enduring tunes, "What Is Hip?"), 1974's Back to Oakland, and 1975's Urban Renewal and In the Slot. While Tower of Power remained a must-see live act, as disco became the new trend in R&B the group's original funk-laden style fell out of favor, and disco-oriented albums like 1978's We Came to Play and 1979's Back on the Streets didn't please critics or fans, and the band would go nine years without releasing an album.
Despite it all, Tower of Power -- in particular their horn section -- remained a much in-demand backing group for some of pop/rock's biggest names, including Elton John, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Little Feat, David Sanborn, Michelle Shocked, Paula Abdul, Aaron Neville, Aerosmith, Public Image Ltd., and many others. In 1988, Tower of Power returned to the studio for the album Power, and in 1991 they signed with Epic Records, where they released five albums by the end of the decade.
Into the new millennium, Tower of Power kept up their reputation as a strong live band, maintaining a steady touring schedule, and in 2009 they launched their own TOP Records label with The Great American Soulbook, in which they covered a dozen soul and R&B classics in the trademark Tower of Power style. In 2007, Tower of Power celebrated their fourth decade together with a special concert at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium, and a year later the show was issued in a special CD/DVD package, simply titled 40th Anniversary. In 2013, Tower of Power took a look back with the release of Hipper Than Hip: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, which documented a live radio broadcast from 1974. The bandmembers also announced they would be touring in 2013 and 2014 with two other iconic acts from Northern California, Journey and the Steve Miller Band. ~ Greg Prato & Steve Leggett, Rovi
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Tower of Power Lyrics
(To Say the Least) You're the Most Ridin' on a white horse, galloping over the clouds That's th…
02. I Like Your Style I remember the first day we met And that's the day…
04 You're Still A Young Man You're still a young man, baby Whoo-ooh, don't waste your ti…
10 So you want to jump out your trick bag And ease…
634-5789 If you need a little lovin' call on me Said if…
A Little Knowledge Frank Sinatra Miscellaneous Dream a Little Dream Of Me St…
A Little Knowledge (Is a Dangerous Thing) I always knew just what to do Till I met you…
Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now Doobie Brothers One Step Closer No Stoppin' Us Now Patrick S…
Ain't Nothing Stopping Us Now (There ain't nothing) yeah (Stopping us now) ain't nothing S…
Any Excuse Will Do It's as good as could be expected in these uncertain…
As Surely as I Stand Here Whet the blade on the stone Light the fire from the…
Attitude Dance If you're feeling kinda shy Don't even want to try Your danc…
Baby Baby baby, sweet baby There's something that i just got to…
Back on the Streets Again I had to compete In the country, in the jungle Had to…
Ball and Chain He's got his Playboy decal On his Corvette windshield He's o…
Beyond My Wildest Dreams I've been looking everywhere I felt lost and lonely Out of n…
By Your Side Racoon Miscellaneous By your side Oh, It's saturday, all rig…
Can't You See I've tried hard to do my best, ooh baby So I…
Clever Girl Clever girl you fooled me once again Clever girl seems I…
Come To A Decision You want it your way, I want it mine It's gonna…
Crazy For You I used to feel So very sane So very clear Within my…
Credit "Credit" As performed by Tower of Power { Bass guitar intro …
Diggin C'mon everybody, let's do it!!! I've been through all them …
Do You Like That? Yeah, yeah (Do you like that?) C'mon y'all, everybody get up…
Do You Wanna Whoa whoa, baby Most of the time you can't make up…
Don Five long years We have been together Your love and understa…
Down to the Night Club It's Saturday night and I'm just hangin' out Lookin' for a…
Down To The Nightclub It's Saturday night and I'm just hangin' out Lookin' for a…
Down To The Nightclub (Bump Ci It's Saturday night and I'm just hangin' out Lookin' for a…
Down to the Nightclub (Bump City) It's Saturday night and I'm just hangin' out Lookin' for a p…
Drop It in the Slot Drop it in the slot Drop it in the slot Drop it…
East Bay All The Way! East Bay, all day Oakland all the way East bay, all day Oakl…
Funk The Dumb Stuff You think you're cold, too cold to behold But the truth…
Give Me the Proof Give me the proof that I need I hear your warning,…
Give Me Your Love Listen From the day we met you had me on the…
Gone Gone Are the joyful days Of sweet smelling pie And moon and …
Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel Heaven must be missin' an angel Missin' one angel child 'cau…
How Could This Happen To Me I open my eyes I try to see but I′m blinded…
I Got the Chop Went down in the valley I jumped back in the alley Scaled…
I got to groove I got to groove! I put down the spoon, And picked up…
I like Soul I remember the first day we met And that's the day…
I Thank You You didn't have to love me like you did But you…
If It's Tea Give Me Coffee If it's tea, give me coffee If it's coffee, give me…
It All Comes Back IT ALL COMES BACK You may win, you may lose, no…
It Really Doesn't Matter I spent some time across the waves I learned a lot…
It Takes Two One can have a dream baby Two can make that dream…
It's Not the Crime I broke the law last night, commited a criminal and sexual…
It's So Nice It′s so nice It's like paradise And it′s so nice It's such a…
Just Like You All has been equal It's just not the same All things consite…
Just When We Start Makin' It Our love together has been so good Been much better than…
Just When We Started Makin' It It's a rare occasion When your plans and expectations Come d…
Keep Comin I've been to heaven before But I must have been too…
Knock Yourself Out It's a Funky Showtime!…
Let's Celebrate Our Love I never worry about you Cause I never doubt that you…
Look in My Eyes I know that you want me Lord have mercy Look in my…
Love I used to be a part of lover Just drop in…
Love Land I have heard all about Loveland and all of it's…
Love's Been Gone So Long Love's been gone so long Oh, when will it come, oh Lord…
Loveland I have heard all about Loveland and all of it's…
Maybe It'll Rub Off Get down, uhh, hit me hard (Maybe it'll rub off) This feeli…
Me And Mrs. Jones Me and Mrs. Jones we've got a thing going on We…
Mr. Pitiful Call me Mr. Pitiful, baby that's my name They call me…
Oakland Stroke they done found the stroke done found the oakland stroke...…
Oakland Zone OAKLAND ZONE LYRICS Yeah! O-oh! In the Oakland Zone!…
On the One Ooh wee! Come on don't play with me The first…
On the Serious Side (Ska dit and doobie doobie do bomb a doobie doobie…
On the Soul Side of Town Hey yeah now now I know a place where people ring…
Once You Get A Taste I'll tell you something that you wanna know I'll show you…
Only So Much Oil in the Ground There's only so much oil on the ground Sooner or later…
Our Love I never worry about you Cause I never doubt that you…
Please Come Back (To Stay) All those people It's just not the same But all things consi…
Pocketful of Soul I gotta get goin, I gotta get gone I'm workin my…
Since You Baby baby, sweet baby There's something that i just got to…
Since You've Been Gone Baby baby, sweet baby There's something that i just got to…
Sleeping with You Baby I don't need for you to be here every minute…
So I Got to Groove I got to groove! I put down the spoon, And picked up…
So Very Hard To Go Ain't nothin' I can say, nothin' I can do, I feel…
Soothe You whenever something's wrong I will be there When the whole w…
Soul Vaccination Soul vaccination, All across the nation people been catchin'…
Soul With a Capital "S" There's all kinds of music, everywhere you go Some folks li…
Soul With A Capital 'S' There's all kinds of music, everywhere you go Some folks lik…
Soul With a Captial 'S' There's all kinds of music, everywhere you go Some folks li…
Soul with Capital S There's all kinds of music, everywhere you go Some folks lik…
Souled Out There's a place where everybody's goin to It's the place tha…
Sparkling in the Sand When God made you He had a lot to do In a…
Squib Cakes Squib cakes Squib cakes Squib cakes Squib cakes…
Step Up Ever wonder why life just passes by While you're spinning…
Stop Whew! Clap your hands everybody! The other night I was thin…
Stroke '75 They done found the stroke, they done found the Oakland…
Taxed to the Max Politicians promise all they can To get elected, to make a…
That Was Then And This Is Now Guess you never really know you just what you've got 'till…
The Real Deal How can I convince you it’s the real deal baby Make…
The Story of You and I Oh You, you took me to the cleaners You hung me out…
This Time It's Real This time it's real Saw me a girl today Who walk with…
Time Will Tell It's a rare occasion When your plans and expectations Come d…
To Say the Least You're the Most Ridin' on a white horse, galloping over the clouds That's th…
Unconditional Love I used to be a part of lover Just drop in…
What Happened to the World That Day I remember lonely days Having no one to talk to Drifting slo…
What Is Hip So ya wanna dump out yo' trick bag. Ease on in…
What Is Hip? So ya wanna dump out yo' trick bag Ease on in…
While We Went To The Moon In the race for space, does it really matter whose…
Who Is He and What Is He To You A man we passed just tried to stare me down And…
Who Would Have Thought I knew that something was missing I knew that something was…
Will I Ever Find a Love Oh look at me A lonely man in a busy world I…
Willing To Learn Why do I feel like there is now tomorrow, baby Sometimes…
You Oh, my love, I've been waiting For this moment to arrive J…
You Can't Fall Up You can be in love or be out of love But…
You Do The Math Yeah, yeah (Do you like that?) C'mon y'all, everybody get up…
You Got to Funkifize (You got to funkifize) (You got to funkifize) (You got to fu…
You Got To Get Funkifize You got to funkafize You got to funkafize You got to funka…
You Met Your Match Hey, you were good at playing the fox, girl When I…
You Ought To Be Havin Fun Do you want some more? Do you want some more? Do you…
You Strike My Main Nerve You're messing up my mind Think about me all the time Why…
You're So Wonderful So Marvelous (Doot do do do do doot) oh (Doot do do do…
You're Still A Man You're still a young man, baby Whoo-ooh, don't waste your ti…
You're the Most Ridin′ on a white horse, galloping over the clouds That's th…
You've got to funkifize (You got to funkifize) (You got to funkifize) (You got to …
Youre Still A Young Man You're still a young man, baby Whoo-ooh, don't waste your ti…