Tower Of Power
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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.”
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.”
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Tower Of Power
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T.O.P.
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Souled Out
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Bump City
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Shoutbox
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A1enochka wrote:
!!
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maidsandmore06 wrote:
One of the best horn sections ever.
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Fullmettall wrote:
Only So Much Oil in the Ground
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LeGangles wrote:
I am Funkifized!!!!
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miqmiranda wrote:
Self-titled is one of the best funk album ever made!
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I_LOVE_DONUTS wrote:
Wow, these guys are amazing. Been listening to their albums non-stop. Reminds me of how mindblown i was when i first listened to sly & the family stone.
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BettinaSue wrote:
GEWINNE TICKETS UND DAS EXKLUSIVE TOWER-OF-POWER-BACKSTAGE-ERLEBNIS Möchtest Du die Bandmitglieder der legendären US-Soulband Tower of Power vor ihrem Konzert am 14.07.2011 persönlich kennenlernen, Backstage vorbei schauen und Fotos machen? Erzähl uns, warum Du der größte ToP-Fan bist und gerade DU dieses Erlebnis genießen solltest! - Teilnahmeschluss 13.07.2011 - 15 Uhr Mitmachen auf http://www.letzte-karte.de/
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Fullmettall wrote:
Only So Much Oil in the Ground
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Balciu wrote:
I just love squib cakes. And "This time it's real" - this song is so cheerful.
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JamJan4444 wrote:
Great Band :) Taxed to the Max 8)
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plata002 wrote:
Their height was definitely in 1999, one fo the best Jazz groups of all time.
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barryvs wrote:
FUNKIFIZE
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KungFuBlackbird wrote:
I can't figure out why these guys weren't bigger...I have not heard a funkier band.
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healallkillnone wrote:
ALL I CAN SYA IS THIS IS ONE GROUP THAT I WILL TAKE MY HAT OFF TOO
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Perfecteye18 wrote:
Squib cakes... squib cakes. What? it doesnt get better.
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reagan0 wrote:
I remember the first time I heard Back to Oakland. It blew my teenage mind. Yeah, I played it to bits, too. After that, I bought each new album as they were released, through Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now, when I stopped purchasing albums for several years (I was on my own, then -- had to pay the bills). Didn't buy another until 1993, with T.O.P., which was my first TOP album on CD. They still cook (tasty Squib Cakes).
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Gabe1955 wrote:
Remember playing Urban Renewal and Back to Oakland to bits,Great Album covers(I am talking Vinyl here) as well.Life and circumstances meant i really haven't followed them. recently downloaded a compilation,and wow still sounds like the first time,must get hold of more...what a fucking awesome band
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trishbell wrote:
They can tear it up no matter where they play...they are still making the rounds.
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sugarspunboy wrote:
Seeing them in Vegas tonight! : D
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new5stone wrote:
来週の木曜日BBLの最終日に行きまーす。
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Events
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Mar
9
Tower Of Power
Ronnie Scott's, London, United Kingdom
2 going
1 shout
- Mar 10 Tower Of Power Ronnie Scott's, London, United Kingdom
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Mar
13
Tower of Power in Oosterpoort
De Oosterpoort, Groningen, Netherlands
4 going
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Recent Activity
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stewwaterman, donkeyboner25, Ptunieb and 1 other person added Tower Of Power to their libraries. 2 hours ago
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yofleet tagged Tower Of Power with ‘tower of power’. yesterday afternoon
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yofleet and Buffo11 added Tower Of Power to their libraries. yesterday afternoon
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black-beetle added Tower Of Power to the lineup of Tower Of Power at Fabrik. yesterday morning
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sfmwoody, patandole, Jhinsberger and 55 other people added Tower Of Power to their libraries. yesterday morning
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mocow tagged Tower Of Power with ‘funk’. 13 days ago
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veromancera, arnstre, clamarthompson and 30 other people added Tower Of Power to their libraries. 13 days ago
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MusicMagic7 created the wiki page for Live And In Living Color. December 2010
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tom_dissonance wrote about Tower Of Power – Urban Renewal in February mixtape (late). March 2009
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