Tower Of Power - What Is Hip? (REACTION)

‪@AirplayBeats‬ reacts to Tower oF Power - What Is Hip?
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[@susanryan2451]

I'm a 70 year old white woman with gray hair and I love to funk out with Tower of power, especially what is hip 👍👍

[@vt5533]

I can relate!

[@webjammer1]

When I listen to Tower of Power my neighbors do too!

[@larncejordan3120]

One of my top bands!!! Great reaction!

[@patg-money225]

Francis "Rocco" Prestia is the Bass player. He just passed away a couple of years ago but he's a legend and was a major influence to all bass players around the world. He invented that style of playing called the "Finger Funk" style in which he hits the strings with his fingers.

[@deaniegarcia5694]

Was turned onto Tower of Power and the whole East Bay sound by my brother Ira C King in 1973 while were in the USAF. Stay hip y’all!

[@Ncxgroup]

One of the GREAT Songs of all time.

[@patg-money225]

It's a travesty that this band hasn't been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They have influenced so many bands and artists. Prince himself was a huge fan of the band and grew up listening to them in the '70's.

[@giuseppemaggio5894]

One of the most underrated bands of all time. They easily take a spot in my all time top 10. The singing, the rhytm section....just top class from TOP

[@baronofgreymatter14]

They used to be called east bay grease before tower of power

[@marksimpson1991]

Representing the East Bay with Cold Blood, Creedence, Montrose, Joe Satriani and so many more!

[@rodkosub1320]

Easy Bay...?north of Toronto here, something in the water where you folks are, currently obsessed with Maze ,Jubu Smith, church chords and Steely dan, peace

[@ptr250]

TOP's first album in 1970 was titled East Bay Grease.

[@zolch5771]

The famous tower of power horn section!! What a hip groove

[@markh2901]

Tower of Power - "Tighter than two coats of paint."

[@stevedahlberg8680]

That bass guitar line just utterly slays me. All those incredible precise staccato notes but the overall patterns have so much expression and feel and dynamic range to them and they're just so damn funky

[@anthonydawson8080]

Yeah I always want to play this like but I end up too tired. Same with some Jaco and a few Jamiroquia tunes. Just 16th notes for so long

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

Rocco Prestia. 👍👍 [Master craftsman.🤘]

[@janicez2630]

Love this song....they were great live. Such funk! So much great live music in the Bay Area in the 70s.

[@DanielMoreno-vb2hi]

Amazing that these fellas can't get that the drumming is exceptional. Not only the horns section is great but the rythym section is also legendary (Garibaldi/Thompson/Prestia). Still got a lot to learn!!!!

[@old_hippie1969]

In 1973 saw them at the Fillmore West, Mountain opened

[@nubopgritty634]

The one and only Rocco Prestia on bass

[@johncagnettajr344]

“The Tower Of Power Horn Section” has gained fame as a separate entity to much critical acclaim. They have appeared on a goodly number of other artists' recordings, including one of the most highly regarded early live albums: a performance with Little Feat in 1977, one of the three inaugural acts to perform at the newly-opened Rockpalast studios on the song, "Rocket in my Pocket". Other performers supported by the Tower of Power horns include The Monkees, Santana, Elkie Brooks, Cat Stevens (on his Foreigner Suite), Elton John, Linda Lewis, rad. (Rose Ann Dimalanta), John Lee Hooker, Rufus, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Mickey Hart, Heart, Huey Lewis & The News, Spyro Gyra, KMFDM, Lyle Lovett, Poison, Phish, Toto, Pharoahe Monch, Brothers Johnson, and Aerosmith, among many other acts.

[@enzogiroldo2758]

I had this English teacher, whose father was a record store owner… Now when he told me his dad’s favourite band was Tower of Power I knew I was in for a ride💯 I love em now too lol

[@CharCanuck14]

Saw TOP in Toronto - around '74 and they were absolutely amazing! Tower of Power IS hip!

[@daviddragavon7555]

For fun, try Down to the Night Club. Before Google, Before the internet. When you were checking a vinyl from a new artist, you read the notes on the album to see who the side musicians were. TOWER OF POWER'S horn section would often sell there services to other bands between there own albums. Seeing that they played on the album was a confidence builder that seldom let me down!

[@danmayberry1185]

50 yrs later, still slays. These cats, The Crusaders, LA Express .. guaranteed to put some flow in your step.

[@StevesFunhouse]

I lived in the Bay Area from 1974-1978 and this was 1 of my favorite bands then, well along with Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Journey, Sly & The Family Stone, Y&T, Elvin Bishop, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Commander Cody, Montrose, and on and on and on. I didn't like them as much since, but Rick Stevens and Lenny Williams were my favorite singers for them (different times). If there was a song on the radio at that time, any song that included horns if the group didn't have their own horn section, you can pretty much bet it was either Tower of Power or Chicago horn sections doing the horns on it.

[@cherrypickerguitars]

Saw this amazing band in the very early 90’s with Blood Sweat and Tears at Ontario Place in Toronto! Horn heaven! What a show! Peace

[@WillyJackson-if6zf]

I am jealous that would have been awesome!!!!!

[@stillstanding8286]

The Tower of Power’s horn section plays on Little Feat’s live album “Waiting for Columbus” (1978).

[@jonathansmith3742]

How did I miss this one? Its one of my baddest jams in the land type song. Caught them last fall in Hartford. Groovin.

[@joesmith1957]

Nobody was, or is, hipper than TOP! I’ve seen them live many times since their early days. So great live!

[@brewstergallery]

Ned from Spain saying hey hey hey ! What I adore is the tightest of tightness of bassist Rocco Prestia and drummer Dave Garibaldi locking in to make that groove pop n percolate. That mixed with the rest of these funk monsters AND a killer song makes this a track that'll never die. Thanx La and Che.

[@danielolson5378]

DG and Rocco were the tightest rhythm section in the biz!!

[@jasonremy1627]

One of the great funk bands of all time. The horn section was so good, the used to do features on all kinds of other bands tracks. Everyone from Elton John to Little Feat to Phish to Rod Stewart to Heart and about 100 other acts used them. They owned the 70s and 80s.

[@debbiegottschlich3177]

I love this song and "So very hard to go" by TOP.

[@charlesgarner2177]

I'm 59 yrs young. My dad loved horns so I grew up listening to the TOP, along with BS&T, Chicago, EW&F, Edgar Winter, Santana, and Stevie Wonder. Thanks Dad!! I got to see TOP a year or so ago. They are one of the tightest bands I have ever seen. These guys have been playing together for almost 55 yrs and knows what the other is gonna do, before they do.

[@adam872]

Sounds like my childhood. My old man loved all those bands too.

[@cjw0530]

Live and in Living Color a 1976 live album by Tower of Power is great.

[@rosemarypugliese2984]

Heard this for the first time on the old Drew Carey show. They did a lot of musical numbers. Awesome

[@bethvirginiaphillips4583]

It's called talent. Sorely missing today. Those horns are a force of nature.

[@realbser1956]

David Garibaldi one of my favorite drummers, any genre. The man is pure fire. One of the all time great bands. Hope to see more of them on your channel. 🔥🥁🥁

[@albertjuarez7142]

Cool review guys. I saw Tower of Power in the 70's at San Jose State Spartan Stadium with Malo on a warm summer day. People smoking weed. Police were laid back, let people have fun, girls walking around topless. 70's was the best. Great song.

[@randytaylor1406]

Love the trumpets, sax, and bass dropping that funky sound.

[@decadesbandtucson4880]

Just Great!!!!!!!!!!!

[@timbeatty8411]

One of my all time favorite songs.

[@haldern501]

RIP Rocco, a true bass legend

[@cre8tivone]

T.O.P was some bad boys!!! Their horn section was highly sought after by everyone in the biz to work with. Lenny Williams the lead singer went on to great individual success as well. Great reaction gentlemen 🤘🏾😊

[@thefunkybuddha69]

Lenny is still my favorite T.O.P. singer.

[@danielolson5378]

They're still killing it live after 55 years!!

[@TerryVonCannon]

Tower was so underrated. Surely the forerunners of Kool and the Gang, Earth Wind and Fire and Brass Construction.

[@tobinharris8107]

Sugar Bear with the goldfish platforms~yessir! Another great one from TOP is “Sqib Cakes”. 👍🎷👍

[@UglyDoug304]

I could listen to that bass line all day long!❤

[@dabig25]

DAMN growing up in the Bay Area in the 70'-80's we had Santana , Tower of Power , The Doobie Brothers and than Journey

[@michaelgawel5823]

Sons of Champlin

[@vt5533]

So glad you've reacted to TOP! They are so amazing. Thanks.

[@bobschenkel7921]

In answer to the question, "What Is Hip?", I always answer, this band and this song. Tower Of Power were an awesome crew, and they liked to play with a lot of different bands. Saw them on a tour with the Average White Band, TOP and AWB in one spot on one night, OUTSTANDING. And do not forget their appearance on the Little Feat album "Waiting For Columbus". Lowell George gives the "Tower Of Power Horns" shoutout during "Spanish Moon", and well deserved.

[@bradsense7431]

Okay, thanks I was just trying to remember which song he gives them a shoutout. It was between Spanish Moon or Mercenary Territory. As many times I have listened to that LP think I would remember ha ha.

[@ewoe21]

These guys are as funky as a gas station toilet.

[@markolarabie6685]

Straight to playlist!! Thanks for sharing this one...

[@joejawson5264]

I only heard the horns section of Tower of Power when they played with Huey Lewis and the News. Always a blast.

[@bluesrock1]

The Bass player was Rocco Prestia. One of the Founding Fathers of Funk.

[@bassvibasics479]

Rocco Prestia lays down one of the FONKIEST bass lines ever committed to tape. Tower of Power are superb.

[@curtisscarmon3267]

RIP Rocco😢

[@buddystewart2020]

Tower of Power is the third album release for the Oakland-based band, Tower of Power, which was released in May 1973. Track listing All songs written by Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka except when noted. 1. "What Is Hip?" (Castillo, Kupka, David Garibaldi) - 5:08 2. "Clever Girl" (Castillo, Kupka, Willie Fulton) - 2:56 3. "This Time It's Real" (David Bartlett, Castillo, Kupka) - 2:54 4. "Will I Ever Find a Love?" - 3:51 5. "Get Yo' Feet Back on the Ground" (Fulton) - 4:52 6. "So Very Hard to Go" - 3:41 7. "Soul Vaccination" - 5:13 8. "Both Sorry Over Nothin'" (Castillo, Kupka, Lenny Williams) - 3:25 9. "Clean Slate" (Castillo, Kupka, Fulton) - 3:22 10."Just Another Day" (Bruce Conte) - 4:34 Tower of Power Lenny Williams - lead vocals Chester Thompson - organ, backing vocals Bruce Conte - guitars, backing vocals Francis Rocco Prestia - bass David Garibaldi - drums Brent Byars - bongos, congas Stephen "Doc" Kupka - baritone saxophone, oboe, backing vocals Lenny Pickett - clarinet, flute, first tenor saxophone, backing vocals Emilio Castillo - second tenor saxophone, backing vocals Mic Gillette - trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, baritone horn, backing vocals Greg Adams - trumpet, flugelhorn, string arrangements and conductor, backing vocals Additional musicians Jay Spell - acoustic piano Bruce Steinberg - harmonica

[@amosglitterz2649]

'Soul Vaccination' is another banger.

[@skydogfan4671]

Saw them earlier this year in Lancaster PA. They played this song. It was a really good concert. I believe two of the guys in the band have been with the band for 55 years.

[@kdogusna77]

Saw these guys live in Greenville, SC in February, still going strong. Soul Vaccination, Soul with a Capital S, So Very Hard to Go, You're Still a Young Man, We Came to Play....a helluva show they put on! I teach a graduate level course in sustainable energy, and introduce my students to "There Is Only So Much Oil in the Ground."

[@RockDocNeal]

Welcome to the world of Tower Of Power! They were all phenomenal musicians and they had a bunch of great well-written hits. This is probably their most popular song and the driving force behind the killer groove was their legendary rhythm section of David Garibaldi on drums and Rocco Prestia on bass. A couple other great songs from them that I think you'd like are So Very Hard To Go and Soul Vaccination.

[@trevorm8415]

Worthy of a deeper dive.. TOP's Live In Living Color album changed my world. As a young sax player, I was blown away by Lenny Picket's circular breathing solo on Knock Yourself Out. Then you add DG's insane syncopated drumming, Rocco's uniquely funky fingered bass, and the tightness of the legendary horn section and it don't get better in my opinion. Would love to see Airplay Beats keep on these Bay Area cats. Respect!

[@gilshows4660]

That’s Lenny Williams on lead, seriously underrated as far as success to talent level ! These guys are still around playing constantly ! Minus Lenny, he was there 2 or 3 years, around this song about 72/ 73.

[@andywalker8064]

They are legend R&B. Like LEGEND! Look for their live vids. So, so good.

[@RickWaughGuitarist]

Franco Rocco Prestia on bass. RIP. What a player. No pick, fingers.

[@Vacheriedevacherie]

My ex-husband was a bass player, never used a pick in his life.

[@nealmyers8274]

Hey guys I know it's always kind of best to listen to the studio version first. But there is a Live version of this from back in the 70s that will absolutely. Pin your hair back. When you actually get to see what's going on it's pretty amazing

[@324cmac]

But only watch the one with Lenny Williams as the vocalist.

[@mayortr42]

TOP horn section is what you hear on Little Feat’s Waiting For Columbus live album. They were a hot commodity for session work back in the day

[@godbluffvdgg]

Hopefully you guys check out the Soul Train performance of this...Whole band! They're SO tight!

[@jimmoore8951]

The eternal question

[@VinzClorthokeymasterofGozer]

I remember trying to play this in college jazz band. It's so hard to keep that pace steady even with a pretty tight rythm section.

[@bulkpumpkincheeky8548]

watch Yoyoka play a drum cover of this song...amazing 13 yr old female drummer from Japan

[@haldern501]

trust me the rhythm section is struggling too hahaha as a bassist who went to music school I can relate to your pain

[@danielolson5378]

@@bulkpumpkincheeky8548 That girl killed it!

[@loupi4bama]

They don't grow em like they use to. That includes weed. 😂 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 That bass cookin like my grandmas greens. 🤯 Thankful I got to see them live.

[@isomer13]

Had a buddy in the Army that listened to these guys all the time. Early 80s

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

From my hometown! Their horn section is legendary and their album "East Bay Grease" is so good! Guys, please also do their songs "You're Still a Young Man" and "Sparkling in the Sand."

[@bayareathrasher666]

East Bay in the house!

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

@@bayareathrasher666 Yep

[@Alix777.]

This is the most funky thing I heard in a while

[@jackempson3044]

Please play "It's Not The Crime, It's If you Get caught" by Tower of Power. It's the tightest song on the planet. The drummer would make a drum machine jealous. He's an atomic time clock.

[@Alewifes_Husband]

Gov't Mule does a terrific cover of this! They tend to block reactions, though. Tower of Power are always hot. The funk and soul just drip from the arrangements and the players are top-notch. ToP were the touring horn section for Little Feat on Waiting for Columbus.

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

..."goldfish in the platforms"👈 💥💥☝☝😂😂👍👍 Reference check="Paid in full!!😂😛 That was perfect.

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

These guys couldn't stop killin' it. ...but: so long as they had Lenny Williams on the lead vocals [no dis. on: Rick Stevens, he had his own thang, too.🤘🤘 in the early game.]; David Garibaldi murdering the kit (and twice in-between stab-wounds!🤘🤘😛) and that "freak on no leash": Rocco Prestia on that electric bass guitar 🤯🤯 ...they, pretty-much, couldn't be touched! --Band was "dead" during the '80s (into the '90s), effectively; except: the T.O.P. horns were, pretty much, EVERYBODY's "go-to" for any studio cuts they needed a horn blast (or a bit more😛😜 ) on!! (See, from: anybody Quincy Jones produced to: Huey Lewis & The News -yes: all of those great horn arrangements on Huey & The News' records are played by: the T.O.P. Horns!! (unlabelled/not defined as that -them, per se!-, of course, BUT!...)

[@mackymintle7806]

Warner Brothers released a Re-Mix compilation CD with this on it. They named the compilation after this song! It’s worth a listen❤

[@kellahella5286]

You be hard pressed to find a tighter rhythm section. 🔥🔥🔥

[@craigstiles5186]

Saw these guys twice in the 90s. Amazing Live

[@marksimpson1991]

Legendary. They owned the Bay Area back in the day.

[@redzone77p]

The legendary Steve "Doc" Kupka on baritone sax and founding member.

[@TheDivayenta]

🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌☺️❤️🙌🙌🙌🙌 The pride of Oakland ! The horns and bass remind me of the “ scratching” in hip hop. Lenny Pickett played sax for them from ‘73-‘81. He became part of the SNL band and their musical director.

[@davidhunter801]

They've been doing it for over 50 years, and still going strong. Hats off to Emilio Castillo for forming this powerhouse.

[@danarchuleta1154]

One of the best concerts of 100s I've attended....if you can stay still while the Power is on and the brass is blowing, better check your pulse! Like the Godfather of Soul..never passe'

[@paulprendergast3184]

Great band, so much fun. Their horn section plays on some of those Little Feat songs Y'all have been enjoying 😊

[@williamweiss6128]

Nothing better than that old TOP!!❤

[@robinwells3]

“Open the hamper and find the socks funk” 😊💕

[@mikeyg3202]

the rerun and sugar bear references are too much! gotta be a certain age to appreciate that! love it

[@kecurroj]

Great band in concert.

[@alphaomega6062]

There is a track on their album 'Back to Oakland' that has a sustained organ note that goes on for eva - I wish I could remember what it is called.

[@jimmoore8951]

Squib cakes

[@DreDogg_100]

To give you an idea how well respected and wanted these fellas were wanted. Listen to live Little Feat the song titled "Spanish Moon".

[@anthonydawson8080]

Their live shows are really entertaining too

[@Ker-mk3bf]

Definitely on my playlist. 🎶🎶

[@johnmolaro2711]

You really need to check out what could be the best live album, Littlefeats, Waiting for Columbus featuring Tower of Power horns, Bonny Rait, Emmylou Harris & Michael McDonald.....

[@buddystewart2020]

Francis Rocco Prestia on bass, killin' it. Dave Garibaldi on drums, smokin'. I've seen TOP four or five times, always tight as hell.

[@bufordteejustice1119]

I saw them about 5 years ago in Annapolis, Maryland. They were great.

[@Deanrite]

Rocco on bass is driving this bus.

[@WMalven]

Damn! That's about as strong as it gets...funk to the max. "What is Hip?" THIS is hip.

[@metaphoria3]

Love hearing all the nuance

[@billdCT97]

oh yea....bringing back memories!!

[@UncleCharlie111x2]

How could someone not enjoy this?

[@tedsmith7814]

“Starsky And Hutch, Sugarbear…”OMG😂😂😂

[@JohnCregoWorldMusic]

I busted out laughing when you mentioned Rerun & Huggy Bear. Fun times.

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

I saw TOP several times back in the day. They toured the northeast often in the 70's/80's. They always set it on fire!🧑‍🚒 Being known for their horns I think their secret weapon was the rhythm section. Thats where the deep stank came from.