How Tower of Power Cleaned Up Their Act - Interview

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John Beaudin has been in major market radio (Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary) for 38 years and a music journalist since 1989. He graduated from Broadcasting school as a newsman so he would have the skills to write about the artists that inspired him since he bought his first Elton John album as a teen. In the '80s Beaudin was the host of the syndicated radio show ‚”The Cross Canada Report‚” which had two versions (Rock and A/C). Beaudin was also asked to be a judge at the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammys) Twice. He has anchored every position in radio including morning and afternoon drive and was a Program and Music Director for The Breeze and California 103 in Calgary. He currently hosts the evening show at Move 103.5 (formerly QM-FM) in Vancouver and on iHeartRadio.
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[@malletjazz]

"Well...Rome fell from within." What a great response.

[@edwindavies875]

Man, what powerful, open, honest and forthright comments from these players. Bravo to them for overcoming addictions and hard feelings. Congratulations on another excellent segment, John.

[@brianniegemann4788]

Saw TOP recently in Seattle, so glad they got themselves straightened out. For their own sakes and because l got another chance to see them. 56 years and they were sharp as a tack.

[@milanomaker]

Thanks for interviewing Tower of Power.

[@underwaterguy1]

The entire 50th anniversary concert is an absolutely stunning performance (with a much-expanded band) and an jaw-dropping mix. Buy it and treasure it...

[@johnmedina1196]

Started listening to TOP 1973 a sophomore at Mt Diablo High in Concord California, riding around in my or should I say Low riding around in my 1964 Chev Impala SS jet black man that was a cool ride with TOP blasting out of all 6 speakers "ahhh the good ol days" Thanks to you Tower of Power for keeping me cool on my Harley. Love you all passed and present band members. Johnny Medina

[@agentmueller]

Your still a young man, john. My dad has filled in for bass for TOP, and was involved with .38 special. Although I never met Lenny, who inspired me to become a saxophonist, I did meet doc (just a hello) when I was helping my dad set up his equipment at a big show he was doing with my “uncle” max carl. All of these guys are real people who lived normal real lives when they weren’t performing, something that doesn’t equate with most modern day musicians. They are all plastic and fake, with no soul in their music. It just feels like processed foods while “old” music like TOP feels like free range/organic. A pointless anecdote, but felt like sharing it.

[@bazgolin1036]

When TOP plays music, it’s all for real - no BS. And since they all cleaned up, there’s no BS when they talk, too. Doc and Mimi are still writing great songs, and Garibaldi & Rocco have been a rhythm section that every other rhythm section talks about. It was heartbreaking when Rocco passed. Mark VW is doing a super job filling those boots. Your interviews are straightforward and honest, and good for you for staying out of the interviewee’s way when they’re on a roll!

[@jmckay9060]

I have followed these guy since 1979 and I have loved almost every minute of time together. I am glad to see that they have cleaned up their personal lives because I fell like they are part of my family...when they hurt...I hurt. I only hope that when I pass they can play at my funeral because I have everything they have ever recorded, and I have many in multiple formals from album, CD, DVD. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen them live around the country over the years. Never had a bad time at a ToP show...never sat down either.

[@bobbyricelatinjazzbigband]

I remember hearing the band a little bit outside of Toronto (can't remember the town) after Garibaldi returned. What a joy it was to hear him and Rocco together again!

[@1bzong]

tower of power is the best, i’ve seen them for over 50 years love them

[@alcambrola2834]

Being a 48 year fan, I've seen the band at their lowest point and often wondered if when I saw a show that this would be the last one because it was obvious that something was amiss and it was painful as a fan to see. I live in Southeastern New England and I don't know if any of the band is reading this, but there were shows at the "Living Room" and "Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel" in Providence RI that seemed like the low points. This was the very early 80's. I was a fan then, still am now and I thank you for your music and heartfelt honesty, continued sobriety and hope to see a show soon. God Bless.

[@dennisclark8766]

In 1974 at a bar in Boulder Colorado I met my friend who was the Congo drummer for TP. In the dressing room before the gig they were doing coke. Again at the Denver Coliseum same thing. I had never seen anything but weed before this.

[@msrainbow6242]

These were the days! Every group did this - it's part of the music industry! It started with the Blues greats.

[@lilmelvin11]

Thanks! TOP one of my favorite bands. Rocco one of my Bass heroes. Still pull out my "Live at Bass Day" dvd occasionally for a inspiration charge-up. Same for Bobby Vega. You and Joe Chambers of the Musicians Hall of Fame Museum here in Nashville are great interviewers, because you let the interviewee speak. Hope you never get tired of hearing that! Thanks again so much!

[@barrypeterson6725]

This is an extremely important discussion that needs to happen a LOT more often! Thank you for sharing.

[@petersonlafollette3521]

substitute your jones with a higher power of your own understanding...

[@vintagesouthern54]

I like your interview style John. You let them tell their stories. TOP is one of my all time favs. It would be interesting to know their views of Lennie Pickett and why he left. That dude is a hot saxophonist.

[@billyrossi4661]

What a bunch of cool cats..😎

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

When I hear their music, it takes me back to the first time... That brass section was always the best and I always wanted them to jam with Chicago and their horns.. They seemed like a natural tour...

[@ericoleson9440]

"This one goes out to all the friends of Bill W."

[@pamr4040]

❤

[@enavy58]

Obviously, some very raw and painful topics are touched on in these interviews. Not pleasant to watch. But very necessary to see for anyone contemplating a successful career as a working, touring professional musician. The “sausage factory” analogy at its worst. Keep in mind these gifted/talented guys create/made some amazing music, in spite of their addictions. Glad, thankful and relieved that these men survived and are sharing their stories. I hope you will also interview Bruce Conte soon? RIP Rick, Mic, Frank 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@kevinsandlin843]

I can’t imagine the overhead they have before they personally get paid.

[@rickshearer]

Especially good questions and continuity of topic in this group interview John!

[@michaelfoxbrass]

Emilio describes increased tolerance to the drug/stimula. Takes more booze/dope to get the result the addict desires, because the body/brain establishes a baseline tolerance which ratchets up as more stimula are introduced.

[@agentmueller]

I’m no doctor, but I am a sober addict that is coming up on the cusp of 30, and I think the main reason I’m sober today is because everything quit working. I even relapsed months after being clean (addicted to benzos, dope, booze and even uppers to flavor the mix) and I never got “high” like I used to. My theory is that I burnt out the receptors in my brain. I had a pretty high intelligence before and during the beginning and I like to think it hasn’t dropped, but I forget things and almost have a learning disability now. I’m sure somebody with more money than I ever had has gone to greater lengths, but I wouldn’t put my life on it. I did all the wrong things for all the wrong reasons, but I was never a thief, and I never directly harmed anybody. I kept my morals, and I think that’s similar to the boys in TOP on all fronts. Clean now for 2 years, feels like a completely different person than I am today, both good and bad.

[@P.G.1966]

Bigg E...what a great story.

[@humboldthammer]

The discussion that you do not hear, is the one by all the guys and gals who never made it big, but were taken by drugs and alcohol before anyone knew their names.

[@dadduorp]

While I’ve always admired TOP and VERY glad they cleaned up and avoided the typical substance abuse route, it’s a shame they need that crutch be it drugs, alcohol...or religion.

[@joeymyopic]

Saw TOP a couple of times in edmonton '75/76?, vancouver '86 , minneapolis '96? Couple of times in vegas '05/08 and not a bad show, make that all great shows, in the bunch, glad i missed the dark ages. Would have loved to have seen the KKKaty's era band, don't even know if half the crew was legal yet , but bonafide monsters already.

[@bobfunkytrainman5422]

WHAT HAPPIN TO MARCUS SCOTT

[@antarcticorb9197]

Did Rocco ever clean up, because I know his liver was shot before he passed?