Tower of Power - 2/22/1977 The Oakland Stroke, You Ought to be Having Fun, What is Hip

"Santana's Special Guest," "Tower of Power," performs "The Oakland Stroke," and "You Ought to be Having Fun" on February 22, 1977 in Chicago--RARE FOOTAGE

[@haskellbob]

The Lenny PIckett dance! <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="137">2:17</a>. Always amazes me that he doesn't fall down... He's got like a navigational gift in his brain somehow.

[@eisenyeo]

This is an overdose of groove for someone watching TOP in 1977, just too much, this guys are outrageously awesome!

[@Dave-bo8ry]

That finger-tapping, light but thick bassline... could only be Francis "Rocco" Prestia. He died yesterday. Rest in the groove, Rocco.

[@KB4QAA]

I could never get enough of the Tower of Power band back in the 70's!

[@sibsibs83]

unbelievable. If a band came out like this today sounding like this, the mothership might land.

[@SnoMor62]

I was 14 yrs old when this aired on our local PBS station. To this day Santana & Tower of Power are the best bands the Bay Area ever! 😎

[@KuyaAccordionista]

Rest in Funk and Power, Mic Gillette. You were THE baddest trumpet and trombone player ever. #YoureStillAYoungMan #SoVeryHardToGo

[@wizzards6]

Clean slate

[@leonguisburg413]

Mic Gillette---Cold Blood and Tower Of Power. Rest easy big brother 😔

[@d.g.s.7699]

RIP to Edward McGee who passed away in June 2017. Can never forget his high vocals opener in Ain't Nothing Stopping Us Now. I remember seeing Rob Beck the drummer, who did a short stint with the band.

[@curtiss2000]

I had no idea Mr McGee died. Also RIP bass player Roco, Mic Gillette trumpet player, sax player Skip Mesquite from the album East Bay Grease, amd Rick Stevens 2nd lead singer from the album Bump City. Did I miss anyone?

[@jimmythec1960]

Lenny Pickett one of the greatest living tenor players of our day!

[@TheMisterGriswold]

Never a huge Edward McGee fan, but he owns "You Ought to be Havin' Fun". His song. A TOP classic.

[@anitasolohina2793]

*Only 18* 👇👇👇 199615.loveisreal.ru

[@serpentinefire77]

The finest horn section l’ve ever seen live, hands down.

[@glendabadger-cawthon820]

Mic Gillette blows...............ONE BADASS TRUMPET! Tower of Power was always awesome. Great stuff. Tower of Power came onto the scene and caused everyone else to start stepping up their game! Rest in Peace, we will all miss you. (for a time.) See you in Heaven at the big feast! Much Love brother!!

[@ricklarner9263]

Great! In So Cal in 76' listening to 'You ought to be havin fun', cruisin down Beach Blvd on the way to the beach! Awesome!

[@jonathanstone9440]

I saw them in 1975 in New Haven Connecticut....it was their "Back to Oakland Tour". It was phenomenal !!! Lenny Pickett did his dance moves down the aisles wearing a top hat.....too kool !!!!

[@julieroden570]

how can this get 20 dislikes, they must be deaf! I'm off to CA to see them on my BD next month. can't wait! born in Oakland raised in the Bay Area. This came from my backyard, so proud!

[@soulvaccination8679]

Punk asses that’s what it is..Trump supporters got the grove.Thats us

[@soulvaccination8679]

Gary Ferraro wtf so am i dummy.You cant read or something.

[@TabRoss1st]

I'm so sorry you're proud of ghetto Oakland, so sad for you. I'd be embarrassed, but the only great thing that ever came out of Oakland is Tower of Power. The greatest band of all time. ToP is the ultimate. At least Oakland did one thing right. Can you name anything else good for America that ever came out of Oakland??? NO! We'd like California to just break off and fall into the ocean. Or hopefully North Korea will nuke it soon. Please let's give California back to Mexico so they will all go away. If you're a good person and you live in Cali, get out soon and move to another pos liberal state. Please don't move to Texas, it's full of horrible deplorables. Hahaha! F u cali

[@mikelyons4548]

@@TabRoss1st OAKLAND RAIDERS

[@d.g.s.4121]

Have visited SF and Oakland years ago. My friend's relative in El Cerrito recalls T.O.P. rehearsing in a unit near his auto shop.

[@ra15899550]

"You Ought To Be Having Fun" from the album "Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now" Year 1976.

[@nebur59]

Just found out now about Mic Gillette. Sorry to hear that. Have been a fan since about 1970 during the time I was stationed in Sacramento and heard discovered them on the local FM station. Saw them for the first time in '71 in LA at the Fabulous Forum when they opened for The Buddy Miles band and Santana. After that, saw them several times over the last 46 yrs. One of my favorite bands of any genre!

[@hmol1955]

The sound of the tomorrow that never came. But oh, how we loved it!

[@newspapertaxis1]

R.I.P Mic Gillette

[@vargaso]

RIP Rocco. One of the greatest.

[@thesicilianguitarist]

Love this video and LOVE Tower of Power. But man I wish the camera man would put more exposure on Rocco Prestia.... 16th-note-bass-finger-style-MASTER!

[@nubian47]

Only one Rocca!

[@krevercomb1]

Just depresses the hell outa me...!?!

[@thesicilianguitarist]

Kyle Revercomb Haha! It kind of does.

[@thesicilianguitarist]

nubian47 Yeah you got that right my man.

[@soulerheat]

He just passed away. R.I.Power!

[@perryparsons9960]

I play in what is billed as a horn band. I play trumpet. On my best day, am not even in the same area code as these cats.

[@fawltytenor]

Totally feel you on that, what a tight band just amazing!

[@THEWORDCHRISTIANMINISTRY]

Mic Gillette = Awesome. They are ALL AWESOME !

[@marlachristensen2076]

Well, of which area code might you be from?

[@mejsjalv]

Same applies to drums, keys, voice, bass... You gotta be a savage to play with this little combo. This is not my favourite "What is Hip?" performance, mostly 'cause it's too fast. But they sure could play it tight even at a faster tempo. Their dancing and grooving on stage is very underrated. I still can't figure out what the heck is the dance moves Lenny Pickett is doing, jumping around without falling down while holding a very expensive tenor sax.

[@nicholasjackson382]

Chester Thompson killing those keys!

[@unique74muzik]

facts

[@simonduun2942]

Chester Thompson was the guy that kept the band together groovin' :-)

[@marlachristensen2076]

OK, the Same Chester Thompson of whom played drums for the band 'Genesis'?

[@marlachristensen2076]

After all, keys and drums are both percussion instruments.

[@abahmasmo]

@@marlachristensen2076 no, they are different persons, this is Chester the keyboardist, usually played with Santana www.sfjazz.org/onthecorner/five-things-you-should-know-about-chester-thompson/

[@TerjeStorsanden]

Saw 'em in Oslo, Norway on the night the Swedish Prime Minister, Olof Palme, was shot in Stockholm on Febryary 28, 1986. Tehir first gig ever in Norway. They blew us off and into the night, to the sad news after midnight. We ought to be having fun lingered in our ears and minds in a cab back home...

[@QuantumOfSolace1]

Lenny Pickett!!! Of The SNL Band. Greg Adams on trumpet. The famous Mic Gillette on trumpet and trombone. The Doctor on Barisax and Mimi on tenors and vocals.

[@Beatles01able]

This song, this clip, this time period makes me HAPPY. 😃

[@RayArchie]

The FUNKIEST Band EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jonathanthomas7829]

The original oak town brothers doing it, funky greasy nasty & hard they never left their guard

[@janholder2286]

The best band out there pound for pound. I love the TOP!!

[@waynefoote3781]

WOW! This is as RAW as it gets man! .....Don't Y'all just LOVE IT!!!!?

[@teddydennis4714]

love to see Lenny do the Pickett kickit

[@anablic]

Sadly, we are informing you of the loss of a former member and lead singer of Tower of Power, Edward McGee. Dynamic and soulful, Eddie McGee was part of the band's legacy in the 1970's. From Emilio Castillo: "I'm saddened to hear reports of the death of Edward McGee. The last time I heard from Edward was 10 years ago as we were preparing for our 40th anniversary. He seemed like he was doing well and it was good to hear his usual cheerful voice. Edward was an amazing singer and entertainer and we were blessed to have him in our band. Our condolences to all his family and loved ones." Emilio Castillo - Bandleader for Tower of Power

[@Smoothways]

those dance moves from one of the sax players. Why don' t we get to see this anymore? Because he was unique! Honestly I had to watch it over and over again and was so impressed the way he ended them right in front of his microphone. And all of this with a sax strapped onto him - WOW!

[@rocqitmon]

Still playing stratospherically on SNL.

[@LaLa-sz3vn]

This is and has Always been My Favorite Band, Horn Section Included!! Seen them at least 10 times in concert. Always waiting for Lenny Pickett's Sax Solo and of course, His Dance!!!!

[@ehobb1363]

best soul band ever....war a close second

[@johnpietro1423]

when your sitting out there ...wonderin what to do...the fellas got a message for you....The Tower of Power....

[@marlachristensen2076]

"You ought to be having fun" is the song I remember off of this album I purchased as a teenager.

[@Dekyiful]

Unbelievable!

[@dianerose2561]

Love TOWER OF POWER ....thank you for all of your music!! True Soul & Funk love.

[@SteveCunningham007]

Is there/has there ever been a tighter, funkier band? KILLIN' it!

[@RayArchie]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="541">9:01</a> - That is what's HIP! Damn

[@EricFontaineJazz]

Yes!!! A horn section that can play awesome harmony IN ADDITION TO DANCING!

[@pumpkinseed1981]

Edward Mcgee lead singer in this video > Underrated < I don't hear anything about him... All that talent... Love his energy, voice... Where is he? How is he doing?

[@Maryzlem]

I know Edward McGee... A super good guy, still making music. Coming out w/ a CD in the near future...

[@mozdickson]

Gone to heaven

[@THEWORDCHRISTIANMINISTRY]

He was my favorite Tower of Power front-man. Great style.

[@walibashir102]

The greatest horn section this side of the JBs.

[@ruckailo88]

Mi Banda Favorita !!!!!!!! la mejor !!!!

[@ra15899550]

TOP Forever!!

[@billabbott6092]

Mic was always the coolest guy to watch live. Going from Bone to Trumpet and singing was effortless.

[@Bracosaur]

Wow... I have a hard time believing this is live and not a studio recording. Immaculate performance, and they're all so into it.

[@johnpietro1423]

From Oakland Ca...the Tower of Power....

[@PVMike1]

Rocco's iconic bass lines of What is Hip still a classic today.

[@rah718]

Exactly 10yrs later 2/22/1987 I became a father for the first time!

[@digicraft63]

Oaw!!! I had cancer everywhere but after seeing this clip I am cured.

[@Cosmic_Messenger]

THANK YOU for this recording for ages!!!

[@ken_n3902]

thanks for uproading

[@3king5]

How about a very young Lenny Pickett on sax..Mimi was always great at getting young talented horns a shot of showcasing their chops...and Lenny has IT..very hip video...says something about practice...doesn't it?

[@wysiwyg2489]

Greg Adams arrangements also help a bit

[@foxyepoxy602]

How about it

[@waynemiller6070]

WOOWWW. 'Bout the best ten and a half minutes I've seen on KZbin in a long time.

[@baazooka86]

I saw T. O. P. at the very famous and very small and intimate, Golden Bear nightclub in Huntington Beach in 1980. We sat at a table right in front of the horn section that almost literally blew us away with sound and fury. Loved every minute of it. It was a soul sanctifying experience.

[@od1592]

Unbelievable! 😮❤

[@deborarodrigues9989]

Banda favorita do meu marido ,quando ele tocava (Banda Phobus) varias musicas do Tower ... seu instrumento era trumpete

[@matsnilsson565]

Disregarding the out of beat steps some members did at the beginning, this legendary horn section can only be described as one of the best in funk. I hear early KOOL & THE GANG, EARTH, WIND & FIRE (of course there's a lot of J.B's going on) and this is something a "Funkateer" like me love.

[@derektate1951]

Steps weren’t bad for pimarly musicans......besides “We came to play” If I wanted dancin I’d watch tapes of Jackson Five or the Temps.......blow muthar fuckers......BLOW!!!!!!!

[@derektate1951]

Yo Matt’s, they wasn’t there to ‘hoof....’ They Came To Play!!!!’😎😎😎😎😎

[@THEWORDCHRISTIANMINISTRY]

Oh man, Everybody "tried" to emulate these guys !

[@montgomerydenzer8805]

Best Brass ever/Chicago/Blood Sweat and Tears

[@8betz8]

Montgomery Denzer i was gonna say this !!!

[@8betz8]

Montgomery Denzer let me add AWB to this too

[@curtiss2000]

Chicago was a great recording band. The entire horn section were graduates from DePaul University's school of music. That is what made the so unique.

[@denisemason3335]

Down to the night club and smoking only the best weed is what it was all about back then. They got that right!

[@rosavito1]

the music wasn't too shabby either

[@garytyson2228]

This clip brings back a lot of memories. It was filmed in Chicago at the WTTW studios, for the PBS show "Soundstage." Tower of Power was the special guest on this show.. Santana was the main act on the bill. I think this was recorded in 1977 or '78. Thanks for posting ! :-)

[@lsk949]

Absolutely supurb! Love some Bay Area Music! ❤️🥰

[@Nacky74s]

Ive never seen this footage. Thanks!

[@minacciosa]

Grace and rest upon Edward McGee. This particular album wasn't so well received at the time of its release, but with decades past we can hear the absolute mastery of the ensemble and its originality in crafting material for the higher voice of McGee. TOP's command of the current genre was unparalleled, and this album shines through today as fantastic listening and a fitting memorial for McGee. This is a simply phenomenal performance of What is Hip.

[@kmmaniaco]

Another thing, whatever passes for music today does not have any fine men like this out front singing their hearts out! For sure!

[@newsmanbluesman]

70 years of blue-eyed soul.. cared for Doc Mimi DG Rocco LP as well as any

[@mojorayjones]

Never gets old. You guys make the Town proud.

[@marcovienna6031]

I can't wait for July 16th 2024 live in Perugia, Italy, Umbria Jazz festival!!!

[@N01NP]

Bruce Conte's guitar playing - always very hip and right in the pocket.

[@jd2616]

I heard Tower of Power for the first time at Bowling Green State University's homecoming concert in 1973 and have been on board ever since, Oakland, they done found the stroke, for real

[@edpolk1262]

Greg Adams - Westmoor High School, Daly City, CA 1970

[@peteandrews7169]

Fark how funky are these cats! You oughter be havin fun!!

[@imup2damlate]

Ther never was and never will be another...TOP

[@mcareyification]

I first saw TOP at a high school district dance in Walnut Creek in '72. Me and my buddy, two pimply-faced sophomores with rolled-up sleeping bags to sit on in case we got bored. We forgot all about the sleeping bags. I saw TOP a dozen or more times through the 70's at venues like the Rheem Theater in Moraga and Marine World in Redwood City. Always a great time, and a sure-fire show to take a first date! An old fart now, I really miss the music of that decade.

[@greglewandowski2969]

sax man is a dancing machine!

[@Vektorer]

+Greg Lewandowski That's LP! Lenny Pickett! THE Lenny Pickett. You may have heard hundreds of times on SNL. Betcha he can still bust a move or 2.

[@21melendez]

You ought to be having fun....love that song...

[@wblighting]

It been a long time coming.

[@DaveMills]

Love it!

[@honeybee7201]

I Love the Sax💯💯♥️♥️

[@lisamerrill24]

Crazy sax man!

[@vineysmadshow]

aahh..what can be better? Black and white brothers singing beautiful tunes. Doing weed together. Wooooow...

[@robryder26]

can't get enough of these guys. Wish my generation would rediscover Chicago, TOP, and the like- when making music took musicianship, not a computer.

[@Markeygirl]

These are all the comments??TOP transcend and mark the time of amazkng music and above all, for those coming up or experiencing music that didn't happen 5 minutes ago... this is the root of the root...listen and absorb, These guys are still around and can blow your socks off!!

[@fretboy33]

Such freakin’ talent.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@honeybee7201]

20222 Classic💯💯💯♥️♥️

[@heesable]

WOW!!! AWESOME!! CANT STOP MOVIN!!

[@invisiblebridge]

Trumpet player ROCKS that cape.

[@CrimsonThorns]

true true...this was pure and solid musicianship and artistry. Music has no color either. if it has groove and soul, then yes, it is universal.

[@Lulu4Him]

Yeah, I thought so. My good friend is "Skunk", who was the drummer for awhile, than said "They make it rock, and I make it roll".

[@rudymartinez3002]

the baddest conglomeration of horn players ever assembled anywhere--LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE INCOMPARABLE TOWER OF POWER!!!

[@RayArchie]

Crazy!!!

[@johnnewell552]

And the Trumpeteer is wearing an actual cape. Classic.

[@dockaiser]

I don't know - what is there to complain about this drummer ? IMHO this is their best version on YT ...

[@ginostrings]

The drum parts dude. Damn

[@mellownessa]

Amen, msjolly. Top-notch entertainers without a doubt!

[@mckendrick4046]

Moves on Lenny, tho'.

[@SteveDew]

he dances like "cocaine is a helluva drug"

[@jonasbluesband]

Grandi !!!!!

[@ArikShahar]

Great!!!!!!!!!!!!