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Tower of Power

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Musicians

The Resume

    (1968- )
    Born in Oakland, California
    Soul-funk band
    1973 Line-Up:
    Emilio Castillo, tenor sax and vocals
    Stephen 'Doc' Kupka, baritone sax, oboe and vocals
    Lenny Pickett, tenor sax, clarinet, flute and vocals
    Mic Gilette, trumpet, trombone and flugelhorn
    Greg Adams, trumpet and conductor/arranger
    Lenny Williams, vocals
    Bruce Conte, guitar and vocals
    Francis 'Rocco' Prestia, bass guitar
    David Garibaldi, drums
    Chester Thompson, organ
    Jay Spell, piano
    Brent Byars, percussion
    Recorded the albums 'East Bay Grease' (1970), 'Bump City' (1972), 'Tower of Power' (1973), 'Back to Oakland' (1974), 'Urban Renewal' (1974), 'In the Slot' (1975), 'Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now' (1976), 'Live and in Living Color' (1976), 'We Came to Play!' (1978), 'Back on the Streets' (1979), 'TOP' (1987), 'Power' (1988), 'T.O.P.' (1993), 'Soul Vaccination: Live' (1997), 'The Oakland Zone' (2003) and 'The Great American Soulbook' (2009)
    Recorded the singles '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)'

Why they might be annoying:

    They not only never made the Top Ten on the pop charts (not uncommon for funk bands), they never made Top Ten on the R&B charts either, as their biggest hit, 'So Very Hard To Go,' peaked at #11.
    Over 60 musicians have been members of the band.
    BALCO founder (and guitarist Bruce Conte's cousin) Victor Conte was the band's bassist in the late 70s.
    Former lead vocalist Rick Stevens killed three people in a drug deal gone bad and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Why they might not be annoying:

    They successfully alternated between funk workouts and ballads.
    Despite the numerous personnel changes, founding members Emilio Castillo and Stephen Kupka have been with the band its entire 40+ year history.
    The Tower of Power Horns are in-demand session musicians, appearing on records by Santana, Elton John, Rod Stewart, John Lee Hooker, Little Feat, Heart, Jefferson Starship, Huey Lewis and the News, Phish, Lyle Lovett and Aerosmith, among others.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 13 Votes: 30.77% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 21 Votes: 19.05% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 16 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 19 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 69.23% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 78.57% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 17 Votes: 76.47% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 38 Votes: 57.89% Annoying