Tower of Power - Live at Soundstage Chicago 1977

[@ajn465]

Actual humans.. Playing actual instruments with all their hearts and souls. In a band where they have done the hard work of becoming one. And believe me, that’s very very hard work. It’s what it’s all about… The musical experience. It cannot be synthesized. It is never perfect and it’s different every single time. And you can feel it right now. It’s in your bones.

[@mcedd54]

At that tempo Rocco is a damn machine. 5 solid minutes of that and he never misses a note. All I can say is..."I'm not worthy".

[@kenstrayhorn5923]

Indeed, he is the King of the 16th note.

[@sharonstilwell872]

Tower of Power is one of the best funk groups ever!

[@itsjustme9751]

What do you mean "one of"?

[@toddpnewton]

THE

[@itsjustme9751]

@@toddpnewton right on

[@babinm]

I’m thinking the money musta been thin for 12 guys x $100.00 who paying $1200 for a short gig back then? Rocco Gillet and the Doc r Garabaldi,,only ones to make 40 years and they took breaks. Still amazing that drummer

[@fathersoon2495]

@@babinm Godly Drummer

[@jazzisall1]

Lenny Pickett was all of 23 years old when this was filmed. The amazing thing is that he was mostly self-taught yet somehow developed the ability to play in the altissimo range better than most players with dozens of years more experience. The guy was a true saxophone master.

[@davidackerman3461]

Lenny Picket owes that "million dollar" altissimo to the legendary Bert Wilson. Those who were there, know that.

[@robertcummings1096]

All great musicians !!!

[@TheRoafer]

Yes,Lenny was mostly self-taught. When he joined the band he was 19. He had to use the side door to get into some gigs. Lenny is of course the SNL band leader after G.E. Smith who BTW is absolutely an amazing musician and in demand. Roger Waters has hired him for world tours for example. Lenny still teaches Saxophone and jazz studies at NYU. Professor of Saxophone.....,it's fitting.

[@hfactor6429]

'85 I saw TofP and Neville Brothers team up at the ROXY in NYC on some winter Wednesday night and place was packed , private seating on upper balcony (Ed Bradley and and daughters all their in MINKS) and us general admission on floor.........GREAT SHOW! MAGIC

[@cherylnagy126]

Some folks have "natural" talent; we are all born with innate abilities

[@MrBongoagogo]

This one's for Rocco rest in peace Rocco on the one my man .your playing still lives on one of the funkiest bass players to come out the early 70s And onwards.

[@jeffking887]

Shit. I missed this as well. Knew he was ill but didn’t see the obit

[@marccica9859]

RIP Rocco. May your memory be eternal...

[@James6428]

Rocco died??

[@RPMuriera]

Rest in Funk, Rocco 🎶 www.guitarworld.com/news/legendary-tower-of-power-bassist-rocco-prestia-dies-aged-69

[@nicholasschaivonesr.1570]

@@James6428 September

[@garrison7888]

We first saw TOP in Cleveland Ohio at the Agora when they just released East Bay grease. No one knew that there were maybe 20 people in the audience. The next time they came back to Cleveland you couldn't get into the club. One of the greatest groups of all time and should be in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. They are real musicians and have "Soul with a capital S."

[@GlennZullo]

Should ABSOLUTELY be in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Should have been in YEARS ago.

[@queen_of_domination]

They all had soul! I loved this band!

[@EmilioCastillo121]

Thanks for the lovely comment❤

[@dwayneaguiar1148]

((((( The Kings Of FUNK then and NOW. Man I love you guys )))))🥁😎🥁.

[@artompkins7958]

When music was really MUSIC! Miss those days man!

[@peggysmyth6110]

Love the sound of TOP. We may be old but the music is ageless ❤❤❤

[@EmilioCastillo121]

Thank you, I love your comments

[@Han-Solo459]

This Band changed my entire direction on drums.

[@scottsimmons6656]

An impossibly solid band. No auto tune or in ear monitors here, folks- just hard work and talent.

[@pharoahtc2216]

Brass Construction, Earth,Wind and fire, etc. they all had great horn sections, but for pure brass, these guys are the best hands down. Sick horns man,sick! And still blowing 40 years later!

[@biggestelk]

50 years now!

[@KeithHedger]

and a big part of that (besides the fact that they're great players) are Greg Adams' arrangements. Tight and tasty!

[@sideskraft]

@@KeithHedger You're right, those arrangements are something special, and it takes a very special band to be able to pull off a live performance at that level. But when they do, it's simply magical!

[@richardbrucemusic]

The band "Chase" was pretty damn good, too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4O9i6VrmNCCm8k

[@Blap552]

Oh man,i never saw these guys play before,they were Way ahead of their time!!🙂 Love the brass and electric guitar style,progressive funk?

[@philluanastiemke6770]

Best horn band on the planet! No contest!!

[@mceasermcmc]

E.W.F. PHOENIX HORNS ARE THE MECA! PERIOD.

[@sapelesteve]

Simply put, hands down one of the greatest bands of all time! 👍🎸🎤👍

[@DrSaxLove]

Who knew Lenny Pickett could dance like that?!!! And I wonder if he still owns that cool saxophone suit? It's epic!

[@mikelevand8272]

Whenever TOP plays in NY, Pickett always comes in for the last final few songs (or more). He still does the dance to this day (2020). Doubtful anyone from Saturday Night Live knows of his dancing skills. He would blow the audience away were he to showcase his 'Pickett Dance'.

[@VictorHernandezVH1]

LP used to dance his a$$ off.

[@KBB4eva]

He always danced like that back in the day .

[@alzakany1453]

Saw him in Columbus, Oh 1975, he sounded great of course but dancing put them over the TOP (pun intended)💌

[@larryleitch3803]

Actually, he has priors for dancing on stage. Shoot, with music like that, tell me that you might be cutting a rug. Thanks Larry

[@PolaOpposite]

Bruce Conte is one of the most underrated guitarist of his time.

[@bobviavattine1715]

Funky as all hell. Bruce Conte comps like no other.....

[@mxfxdlg]

Hard to shine when those TOP horns are on stage. The fact is, all those guys were superb musicians.

[@artysanmobile]

Rumpled Trumpskin Finally! Someone uses the word ‘underrated’ properly. Yes, he is superb, and I didn’t know his name until right now.

[@frankstaffieri5569]

So Under rated...Love his solos too!!!

[@Rockin_Bug]

Yeah, and one of the most underrated bands ever!!

[@richardhyder140]

Tower of power is the best music we will here. The greatest munician ship we will see.

[@cliftonkenny2507]

The Horns section of Tower of Power is, as far as I'm concerned, is the Greatest of any Era ,ever since a teenager in Fiji during the 70's i ain't never heard a Horn Section no way near consistently as good as them🌴🇫🇯😎👍

[@billbrandine5857]

Quietly standing in back of the group, not really seeking attention, was one of the greatest bass players in rock/funk history...the great Rocco Prestia (1951-9/29/2020.) When you listen to What is Hip?, there's really only one answer to that question...Rocco Prestia.

[@marvinmiller9675]

I've been on Rocco Prestia's TIP since '73.

[@bryankean8521]

The 16th notes on that song were Garibaldi's idea. Or so I've read.

[@billbrandine5857]

@@bryankean8521 Interesting take. I never saw that anywhere. If so, I'd guess Garibaldi's contribution there was to "suggest it" to Rocco. 16th-note playing was Rocoo's signature style anyway. He probably would've come up with that iconic part on his own regardless.

[@bryankean8521]

@@billbrandine5857 David Garibaldi wikipedia page notes it.

[@jaboogwah]

It's incredible to look back and see musicians of this caliber play Live and do so without making any mistakes......

[@avp0713]

+jaboogwah - When you're touring and playing the same exact songs 3-4 nights a week, you tend to know it in your sleep.

[@bigkeezo]

DJ Tony Vito word 💯

[@giguild]

This band played at our High School Gym dance in '71. RIP Rocco! Kudos to Ron E Beck on drums! These guys still jam locally in the Bay!

[@ronberg8141]

Extremely tight band!

[@themoors4563]

The drummer is outstanding

[@l_Live_In_Oregon]

It was August 1977 at the Seattle Memorial Stadium. I got to see he ticket was $8 bucks I got to see Heart, Foreigner, Tower of Power, Stephen Bishop and Prism. Towere of Power stole the show........

[@coral1955]

I was a young woman in the early 1970s listening to their music, when I left home & joined the military. Danced to many ToP tunes in clubs going out w/friends. I didn't get to see them live the first time until 1995. Saw them a few years ago, as well. I love the diversity in the audience here. It was one of the things I loved about this band.

[@mattfoley6082]

I came to ToP late in the game; like late 90s. I blame lack of radio exposure. Have loved them ever since. Saw them live a few times with AWB, unforgettable.

[@davidblank9564]

... I'm thinking the energy of Sly and the Family Stone drew everybody in its universal themes of rhythmic peace and love. Everyday People, for example.

[@EmilioCastillo121]

Thanks so much, I love❤ your comments Coral

[@leftchicago]

That clip should be shown to every American Idol wannabe.

[@carlgranieri4223]

There is a reason why music schools all over the country have Tower of Power student ensembles. They are the groove and the definition of funk.

[@davidblank9564]

In West Torrance High School, where my daughter played Alto Sax, volunteers including alumni, tutored the brass section including bass trombone and the concerts included the AWB "Brick House" and EWF horn arrangements. 😇💗✌

[@96Abraxas]

02:00 The great Chester Thomson on the keybords

[@robertdowler8105]

C T. It is & how it was.

[@MichaelHBallard]

Such an amazing #Talent

[@WeAreNotAmused]

Oh yeah ,! I have been down. With C.T. Practically ever since. The mother of memory will allow. Friends. Wicked name 2. How can you Fuck with that. Name ,"""Chester""" Then BAM! ""THOMSON. !!! POW!! WITH A CAPITAL T. C.T. DOWN WITH T.O.P C.T.. likes. His soul. With a cap-it-al "S" They hit every. Syllable. Of the word ""capital" Crisp. Maximum Enunciation. But not overly so , as would. Be annoying. If. 1 were. 2 carry on tarrying about in such fashion. ""Task " task "" Still be digging. On James. Brown. ! Always. A. An homage That will stand as sentinel in2 eternity. As a clear beacon of. Light. James brown. And his undying commitment. To. Rigorous discipline. That there. Is an almost magic. Quality when the rhythm section. Adhere extra attention maximizing the. Crispy. Snap of a smooth funky undulating. Groove. JAMES BROWN. TRULY AMONG THE HEAVANLY. HOST. THE NEARLY serpentine fire. James. Fiercely imbues. The. Root. Rhythm. T. Ahe firmament upon which. His celestial. Voice found purchase adherence to the go r oot ! Thump that. Groove. Rock Steady but like. Its a covert military op. Stealthy. And strident. The key. I. To funk as a whole. We gonna. Takes this football beyond the final meridian N

[@jerryconnors1703]

"What's hip today might become passé" ... Well, founder/leader Emilio Castillo is still out on the road 200 days a year with the band, and Lenny Pickett is now Dr. Pickett, professor of jazz saxophone at NYC and musical director of the SNL band. These guys and their music will NEVER become passé!

[@richardshansky3040]

Best post in the thread Jerry

[@jerryconnors1703]

@@richardshansky3040 thanks!

[@randydevore5198]

Never Passe .....still grooving it. Saw the latest version of Tower last Fri night at Stateline Tahoe. Still kicking it. Mike Bogart is back in the horn section. New lead singer Mike Jerel was on the Voice season 19. Great Show to kick off the new tour......Check them out and give them some love

[@michaelburt412]

There was a time in the Bay Area that you could go out and find TOP playing somewhere. Damn good times.

[@misterb7070]

The best horn section with longevity and tightness musically, the horns sound just like the records!!!

[@CWBella]

Saw them years ago at the Oregon Zoo. My then three-year-old son spent the whole concert dancing along. SOOOOOOOO great!

[@montythepython7614]

Rest in peace Rocco...

[@patrickharris8197]

"Your Still A Young Man" One of my favorite songs till this day and I'm 54. FIRE🔥

[@marvinmiller9675]

I'm 66. It is still FIRE!

[@backstopbob89]

One of my fave music moments was in front of the Keswick Theater outside Philly; a school bus pulled up and a busload of young music students got off - they were brought there by their teacher to see and experience Tower of Power. The guys have been amazing me for 50 years and over 40 live performances.

[@toddcampbell5603]

I saw these guys last December ... 43 years after this was recorded. The Doctor and Mimi were still up there killing it, along with DG . The energy level was no less than what they display here. If you've never seen ToP, you must !! I catch them every chance I get.

[@danjuric622]

I saw Tower of Power about a year or more ago and I've seen them a few times but the last time I saw them was one of the best times I've seen them. Garibaldi was better than ever and the horn line-up in general was the best I've heard. It's like they keep getting better. I mean these are real musicians, their musical fluency is only going to get better with age. They get you feeling good in no time.

[@mattfoley6082]

Saw them about 20 years ago with AWB. I was in heaven.

[@davidblank9564]

@@danjuric622 Feelin the energy. When my bride and I went to see Chicago and Earth Wind & Fire in concert - the power of the combined horn sections was over the top! No one sat down and it seemed that all new and sang both band's songs during the show. Whoah

[@daitos1955]

Just out of this galaxy!! Pity there's no music like this being made any more.

[@joycesabean4743]

And there never will be any more like this era So better hold on to it for as long as you can

[@captainnice9698]

These guys help put OAKLAND on the map, god bless um. My home town !!!!

[@justinschutz6690]

Back when OAKLAND still had some grease, EAST BAY GREASE!

[@mattfoley6082]

This is pure musical joy. Holy crap, this is smokin'! This is fastest tempo for What Is Hip I've found so far. Lenny's dancing makes me laugh. Thanks for posting.

[@SvenArnvic]

Check out Tokyo Groove's version on here....she's one mean bassist.

[@richardshansky3040]

Yup, real fast version

[@stephenord3403]

The funk is pure bliss, thanks USA for this ❤ sublime music.love from England

[@paulspringer4724]

... this is when AmeriKKKa gets it Right ! 'T.O.P.' one of the Greatest Bands EVER ! Sublime Musicianship .

[@albertoj.mollinedo4116]

RIH Rocco Prestia, you inspired me to pick up the Bass. You will live on in your music

[@lastort]

Lenny Pickett is a beast.

[@nonee757]

Pickett just can't help move, dance, and kick it.... love his dancing and beat to the music.

[@matsnilsson565]

Really nice to see this band from when they were around their prime, I would die for a show from their first album though. ✌

[@davantioggi]

They played "What Is Hip" at their NPR Tiny Desk Concert in 2018 prior to release of the 50th Anniversary album Soul Side of Town.

[@chrisspann8417]

This whole performance makes me love music even more. Every instrument and vocal is to perfection. I hope this performance never gets kept under the rug. I'll make sure my new born grows up knowing this side of music history. He already gets excited and kicks when I play him good music. Thank you for the up load!

[@tulrob]

My brother and I loved Tower of Power....Jazz roots were really strong with T.O.P

[@richardhyder140]

Tower of power are still my mentors still after all these years. If you agree. I would love to hear from you

[@rboyd319]

Rest in Peace Mic Gillette

[@1beatles]

God's, I love Tower of Power, chills everything Bay Area proud❤

[@tanner2378]

This was my College days GREAT GREAT MUSIC WE LIVED IT WE LOVED IT.... MY FUNKY ROOTS

[@deksea]

One of my favorite bands of all time. The stellar musicianship of each and every member of this band alone and in combination is just staggering. These guys were the best of the best.

[@writestuff4all]

Holy CRAP. Where has this clip been all my life? Incredible musicianship here, thanks for posting.

[@stevenbuckles9367]

Tower of Power is still together and can still bring it.

[@MrDavesf]

Seeing them tonight, 50th anniversary show at Fox Theatre in Oakland! YEA!

[@jimmyc5498]

Saw original lineup 2x in 70s, got to play with Lenny Pickett on a music project. Awesome clip, thanks for posting

[@PRJobTips]

Saw Tower of Power in Calgary at Lucifer's nightclub way back in 1976 or so. Whenever I feel low energy, I dial up this vid and go to Lenny Pickett at 2:15 to 2:40 and just soak up his outstanding dance moves and energy, not to mention his superb lead tenor sax. Remembering how amazing they were in the small club with bandleader Emilio Castillo on tenor and Doc Kupka rocking on baritone with the other horn players. And Pickett still rocked as bandleader on SNL until recently. Check out some more group moves at 8:35 - 9:00 whew! Who says you can't live forever? ;-)

[@jumpingjackflash3292]

I'm telling ya all these folk was some bad dudes.. solid, We need this these days.

[@warrenmorphis4208]

This is just crazy !!! This much funk in one space....??

[@jerrydominguez1027]

One of my all time favorite bands.

[@arikshahar6554]

This is so good I love Tower of Power the best funk soul groove brass section band ever 🔥🔥🎷🎺🎷🎺🎸🎸🎹🎙

[@feltzenfurg]

Great Group !!! I remember when I was young I listen this music all the time like 44 years ago 🤔🤔 beautiful músic

[@scottwilkinson4902]

I've been a fan since they started in Oakland; the very definition of funky!

[@marcfedak]

This is great! It's a bit slick in spots, but even in those parts, their precise funk playing is so good. This rendition of "What is Hip?" is one of the great live performances in rock/pop.

[@Bob-fp5wf]

Saw him live at the Roxy in 1973. I was never the same after that. When you’re bad, you’re bad and it’s the self-taught musicians who are the best because music comes from the soul not a written piece of paper!

[@ingmarlind1500]

One of these days (beginning of April) it is 50 years since I by lots of coincidents happened to visit Fillmore East, not knowing that it was THE milestone of my musical life! Unbeliable that those tunes are 100% as good today! 🇸🇪

[@Dave-lr2wo]

When you think of a band, this is about as good a band as can be.

[@daitos1955]

'cause they're paying attention. Music like this has so many nuances.

[@mauriciodelgadosanchez1105]

have no words... amazing.

[@elisloew3884]

now that is pure unadulterated.... entertainment...

[@cruzcontrol1504]

I used to catch these guys religiously at the Bottom Line in NYC from '73 to 85, it was living in rarefied air... always the late show...(the "deep" show as Emilio would say) any other groups playing in town would be in the audience , i remember the guys in Gentle Giant going berserk over Lenny's hyper altissimo solos

[@sanchopp]

Quel groupe, mais quel groupe... Fantastique !!

[@jimy0803]

Lenny Pickett always appears as if he's havin fun!

[@cleopatrabonz]

Lenny Williams!

[@kchappelle]

@@cleopatrabonz No...the tenor sax player is Lenny Pickett

[@peetie25]

He does every Saturday Nite.....what a gig.

[@kchappelle]

peetie25 best job on Earth

[@itsjustme9751]

@@cleopatrabonz Lenny Williams was a past lead singer (not this one). Lenny Picket was their tenor sax

[@richardhyder140]

Got to meet them . what a fantastic experience

[@dominiquebrunet9833]

De la grande folie depuis 50 ans ce groupe ! et sax ténor soliste est grandiose

[@ackalert]

THAT is tight and live!!! Still have that same power after 50 years.

[@jimbalio]

Ronnie Beck, Francis Prestia, Bruce Conte, Chester Thompson - holding it in the pocket hard !

[@jpathak6227]

Tower of Power was a great band in the early seventies. Like Chicago, they had great horn players.

[@paulborrelli7295]

Just heard them in Rhode Island last month, still like a freight train coming into town after over 40 years. First time I heard them in Providence at Brown U. in 1973. Been their biggest fan ever since.

[@richardhyder140]

Oh , Francis Rocco the best bass ever. Nobody else could close to him in musicianship. He was the greatest ever we will known rip

[@williamwalsh6282]

Still amazing to watch and listen to.

[@mikerose9868]

Id love to get a lesson or two from Bruce, awesome guitarist. thank you for the memories, Mike

[@richardhyder140]

They still hold up today. They always will

[@562JUNIOR]

Great music 💯🏁

[@elizabethquon3568]

Came out of nowhere but when they did people listened up and still do. Bump and grind music for sure. 🦋🌺

[@EmilioCastillo121]

Thank you for always listening to our music❤

[@JO-os2ve]

The best ever. Loved these guys.

[@richardhyder140]

Yep. Tower of power is great in the music world. Always will be

[@apolinarfernandez2990]

My friend Phil Ballardo was in the video he like a lot i miss you my friend ;(

[@bobdudy7177]

I quit a Job in 76' to see Rod Stewart in San Diego, at Balboa Stadium. The opening Acts were, Loggins and Messina, Skynard, Fleetwood, and Rod with the Power and an Eleven Piece Orchestra! We had Fun!!

[@handsomeX]

Wow what a line-up!

[@RHINOPLASM]

So damned tight!

[@debbeborders5762]

They are clearly having fun. This was excellent.

[@benhoadley1]

Those dance moves at 8:35 are insane!!!

[@oneworld4all412]

hilarious. this was so long ago. they got better with age! saw them at bbkings in NY, 8 years ago..they were at their best ever

[@dianeharris8020]

love this group!

[@andrewkeiswetter8629]

Trumpet solo on WIH is amazing

[@andrewkeiswetter8629]

Yes!! Insanity good. The back half is so original

[@MrLandau79]

The best live performance on TV history

[@EricBlackmonGuitar]

Lenny probably watching himself dance in this video and goes: "Damn, did I do that?"!

[@1yamawai1]

his chiropractor knows... ;)

[@ronberg8141]

Love that Lenny!

[@Entertainlaw]

He still does. Check out Tower's 50th Anniversary video.

[@MichaelHBallard]

Such #talent then and still now!!

[@haroldburns980]

was high as hell when i was at this concert loll wheeeewie lo what a ride

[@aposematica_art]

GREAT energy✨✨✨🥳

[@MarkkuKoljonenwTinja]

:D Thanks! :D Anna,Christine,Tinja&Markku

[@kinhason46]

Awesome way back 45 years ago!