Musicians - Tower of Power

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	Musicians - Tower of Power

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 (by then including trumpeter Greg Adams) 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 2005. 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."

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, and Aerosmith.

Discography

1970 East Bay Grease
1972 Bump City
1972 Lights out: San Francisco
1972 Fillmore - The Last Days
1973 Tower of Power
1974 Back to Oakland
1974 Funkland
1974 Urban Renewal
1975 In The Slot
1976 Live and in Living Color
1976 Ain't Nothin' Stoppin Us Now
1978 We Came to Play
1979 Back on the Streets
1981 Direct
1986 What is hip?
1986 TOP
1987 Power
1991 Monster on a Leash
1993 T.O.P.
1995 Souled Out
1997 Rhythm and Business
1997 Direct Plus!
1999 Soul Vaccination: Tower of Power : Live
1999 Dinosaur Tracks Previously UNRELEASED Tracks (Recorded 1982)
1999 What Is Hip? Tower of Power Anthology 2-CDs
2001 The Very Best Of Tower of Power The Warner Years
2002 Soul With A Capital "S"
2003 Oakland's Own, In the Oakland Zone
2003 Havin' Fun
2003 What Is Hip? & Other Hits

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Musicians - Tower of Power

Discography

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