You guys have played some of the best music in the world for over 4 decades. Grew up listening to your music long before I knew it was tower of power. Tower of Power music is so sweet! 😊😀😃
DAVID GARIBALDI laying down those BEAUTIFUL DRUMS without having TO BANG the HELL out of THEM to sound MAJESTIC!!!!!!! just FEELING the POWER of those CYMBALS and DRUMS COMBINING PERFECTLY WITH ALL THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS the best MODULATION POSSIBLE.. THAT'S A TRUE SERIOUS DRUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!🎸🎻🎺🎷🎹
I was a 19yo funk guitarist from NYC. I saw TOP doing load in at Paul’s Mall & the Jazz Workshop in Boston. So happened I had my axe with me and struck up a convo mostly with Emilio. I was a HUGE fan of the group. Thought they were the best funk horn section period! I did love Kool & the Gang, EW&F, Sly, Funkadelic, Chicago, etc but this was TOP!!!! The guys were very welcoming and allowed me to hang out for set up and rehearsal. I think it was Lenny Pickett who asked me what my favorite song was and I immediately said “What Is Hip?”. They asked if I’d like to sit in. I broke out my Les Paul and leapt at the chance. One of the highlights of my entire musical career! OMG, those horns!! Doc! Emilio! Lenny! And Rocco straight up killin’ that bassline! Lenny Williams sang the sh*t out of it, too. They were all super nice and made a college kid’s dreams come true. Bruce the guitarist got a definite kick watching this petite young girl (all 5’1” of me) also with a Les Paul (he played a gold top LP and I had a sunburst), jamming in his place. That was almost 50 yrs ago and I still remember it like yesterday.
What a memory. That had to be one of the coolest things to happen in your life. Timing is everything, right. Thanks sharing your “rockstar” moment in life.
Wow,,,,what a buss ,,, obviously a buss that you. Will fondly remember for your intire life being who you are ,,,,,a MUSICIAN ,,,,,,,1974,,,,, I GOT UP AN JAMMED WITH JEFF ,HEALY ON CONGOS,,,,,,,,,,,,,🥝 kiwi guy New Zealand last stop before Scott Base South Pole 💈💈
WOW!! I truly envy you. As a long time guitarist basing my style from Santana leads to Bruce Conte rhythm, my main bucket list dream would be to play at least one song with them. What is Hip is my No.1 song ever too. I practice with many of their songs and know them by heart. Maybe one day I can. I'll keep the hope alive.
That's awesome. My ex-girlfriend used to sing in a band with Bruce and everywhere they played the crowd would obnoxiously demand he play the leadin for What is Hip. He was so shy and humble, he would just be embarrassed by the attention, so I can picture him smiling the whole time you sat in. I've seen the Tower at least 25 times but missed this show, even though it was just down the street... thanks for the recording, Andrew.
My Dad Russ Vogt played it all back when swing jazz was funk of the day.Count Baisy ect in the 30s and 40s.He sure would love jam with these guys. Bass,tenor, soprano, clarinet, two horns at same time. Funk ain't no junk.
So good to see Iron Mike back and his versatility. Able to play all three horns as Mic Gillette did (RIP) in So Very Hard To Go. I've always admired his embouchure and range.
There are devotees Downunder too. Could not make the last Melbourne gig (to my great regret forever). Will they make it back to Australia? I live in hope. How come TOP is greatest band in the world that so few seem know? Hmmmm..
Saw Tower of Power in a small club just off Jack London Square in 1971 just before I headed to the West Pacific. They were great then and still remember the great show.
I would see TOP at Jack London Square and Fremont in 1970 and 1971 . I was working at a shipyard in Alameda. I'm from New Mexico. I celebrated my 21st birthday at Jack London Square in 1970. I've seen them twice here in New Mexico. One of my most favorite bands still jamming.
Mr.Jorell has certainly got the range and fine improvisation technique which was very noticeable on So Very Hard To Go.& It's great to see and hear the return of the other Mike,Iron Mike,too,a excellent bandmember/Pro Musician from the Oakland Zone etc. Era.
big city big city 7 hours ago if you see his body of work posted on you tube before he got the Tower gig you see mainly ballads ( house is not a home blew me away).....mid tempo tunes did not knock me out and i was really looking forward to some mid tempo and shuffle funk tower classics.....found "what is hip" and "i like your style" quite enjoyable.....he is in one of the great schools of music and has the potential of being something very special.....with that said he also did a great job on friday's show.....everybody needs to sit back and enjoy the ride!
While Emilio still digs James Brown, I still dig TOP. They were part of one of the strangest double billings I ever saw when they opened for Cheech & Chong @ Masonic Auditorium, Detroit, MI, Nov. '73. Some great funk, followed by a ton of extremely irreverent humor, what could be better than that ??? C&C were brilliant as a lot of their content had to do with the newly revealed Watergate arrests, and the rest was material from their albums. But, it was that TOP horn section, plus Rocco Prestia that had me at hello. Earlier that year I saw TOP open for Richie Havens @ an outdoor venue and that might qualify for the SECOND strangest bill I ever saw.
TOP is so great. The only thing I can't understand is why after their greatest song for song album Monster On A Leash they never made another. What a shame.
I saw TOP in Oakland with Tom Jones a number of years ago. They didn't sing one of their biggest hits in a one hour show. I never was so disappointed in a concert in my life. TOP needs to remember the fans come to hear the big songs from their teens, its ok to sing new stuff, but the big hits have to be in the show. If I wanted to see James Brown, I would have gone to his shows when he was alive.
I liked that kid they had on the Tiny Desk Concert. He was a youngblood runnin' with the big dogs but besides having a nice voice, he had a taste of attitude that I found refreshing. And I seem to be in the minority but Tower's GOAT Lead Singer for me was Hubert Tubbs. He had the enormous shoes of LW to fill but that didn't seem to bother him and he commanded the stage like no one before or since.
Yes. Emilio (tenor sax) and Doc (bari sax) - who also write the songs. And David Garibaldi (drums) was part of the "classic" lineup, but not an original member.
@@carlupthegrove262 ... They've had no other guitar player like him since. He contributed to the bands original sound that was PURE funk. We lost a good one. Rocco was another original master. Gone, but left us with many musical treasures.
The greatest band still performing after 50 years - but why are they still doing that James Brown tribute / shtick - they have been doing it since Larry Briggs left.
You guys have played some of the best music in the world for over 4 decades. Grew up listening to your music long before I knew it was tower of power. Tower of Power music is so sweet! 😊😀😃
DAVID GARIBALDI laying down those BEAUTIFUL DRUMS without having TO BANG the HELL out of THEM to sound MAJESTIC!!!!!!!
just FEELING the POWER of those CYMBALS and DRUMS COMBINING PERFECTLY WITH ALL THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS the best MODULATION POSSIBLE..
THAT'S A TRUE SERIOUS DRUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!🎸🎻🎺🎷🎹
I was a 19yo funk guitarist from NYC. I saw TOP doing load in at Paul’s Mall & the Jazz Workshop in Boston. So happened I had my axe with me and struck up a convo mostly with Emilio. I was a HUGE fan of the group. Thought they were the best funk horn section period! I did love Kool & the Gang, EW&F, Sly, Funkadelic, Chicago, etc but this was TOP!!!! The guys were very welcoming and allowed me to hang out for set up and rehearsal. I think it was Lenny Pickett who asked me what my favorite song was and I immediately said “What Is Hip?”. They asked if I’d like to sit in. I broke out my Les Paul and leapt at the chance. One of the highlights of my entire musical career! OMG, those horns!! Doc! Emilio! Lenny! And Rocco straight up killin’ that bassline! Lenny Williams sang the sh*t out of it, too. They were all super nice and made a college kid’s dreams come true. Bruce the guitarist got a definite kick watching this petite young girl (all 5’1” of me) also with a Les Paul (he played a gold top LP and I had a sunburst), jamming in his place. That was almost 50 yrs ago and I still remember it like yesterday.
What a memory. That had to be one of the coolest things to happen in your life. Timing is everything, right. Thanks sharing your “rockstar” moment in life.
Wow,,,,what a buss ,,, obviously a buss that you. Will fondly remember for your intire life being who you are ,,,,,a MUSICIAN ,,,,,,,1974,,,,, I GOT UP AN JAMMED WITH JEFF ,HEALY ON CONGOS,,,,,,,,,,,,,🥝 kiwi guy New Zealand last stop before Scott Base South Pole 💈💈
Shepherd's Chapel Network !!!!!!! Pastor Murray is an Anointed Servant of GOD who teaches the Word of GOD with Authority!!!!!!!
WOW!! I truly envy you. As a long time guitarist basing my style from Santana leads to Bruce Conte rhythm, my main bucket list dream would be to play at least one song with them. What is Hip is my No.1 song ever too. I practice with many of their songs and know them by heart.
Maybe one day I can. I'll keep the hope alive.
That's awesome. My ex-girlfriend used to sing in a band with Bruce and everywhere they played the crowd would obnoxiously demand he play the leadin for What is Hip. He was so shy and humble, he would just be embarrassed by the attention, so I can picture him smiling the whole time you sat in. I've seen the Tower at least 25 times but missed this show, even though it was just down the street... thanks for the recording, Andrew.
My Dad Russ Vogt played it all back when swing jazz was funk of the day.Count Baisy ect in the 30s and 40s.He sure would love jam with these guys. Bass,tenor, soprano, clarinet, two horns at same time. Funk ain't no junk.
BRAVO! What a truly gorgeously talented group of stellar Stars that always shine.💓🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟❤️
My 100% favorite group of all time... Not one of... BUT ...My FAVORITE!
I've seen these guys numerous tens of times going back to 1970. Never gets old!
Just attended the Harris Center show in Folsom CA Tue, 2/9 and they had the whole place FUNKIFIZED.
First time i heard TOP i was 18 ( USMC) in Vietnam, been a huge fan ever since!
Amen.
Thank You for your service ❤
I MISSED THE RECENT NYC DATE!!! Still feel the pain!!! Magnificent Band.
So good to see Iron Mike back and his versatility. Able to play all three horns as Mic Gillette did (RIP) in So Very Hard To Go. I've always admired his embouchure and range.
lovely guy as well.
54 years. Cheers to these kings
There are devotees Downunder too. Could not make the last Melbourne gig (to my great regret forever). Will they make it back to Australia? I live in hope. How come TOP is greatest band in the world that so few seem know? Hmmmm..
What a soulful voice. THoroughly enjoyable.
My favorite brass since the "60's...As a singer I covered some of their music. The brass was always spiritual.
That's just beautiful... and Iron Mike, hot swapping between trumpet, 'bone and flugelhorn, you guys are all amazing musicians
He is a super talent - and skilled - he taught in the bands of the military recently between stints with TOP. Iron Mike!
One of the best horn sections. Tell Lenny I said hello.
Love the flugel duet in the solo break! So glad Iron Mike is back!!!
Saw Tower of Power in a small club just off Jack London Square in 1971 just before I headed to the West Pacific. They were great then and still remember the great show.
Off Broadway
I would see TOP at Jack London Square and Fremont in 1970 and 1971 . I was working at a shipyard in Alameda. I'm from New Mexico. I celebrated my 21st birthday at Jack London Square in 1970. I've seen them twice here in New Mexico. One of my most favorite bands still jamming.
Memories, I love that part of it!😉
54 Years! Just wow!
Saw them at Sony Hall in NYC this week. Just amazing 🤩
Timeless soul funk
Garibaldi ..genious
Armed with only a trumpet in one hand and a trombone in the other he stalked out on the stage . And bang 😈 let the fun begin
1st time I saw TOP was 1972 ish opening for Santana in providence RI
Last time I saw TOP Brent was singing...before that was Tommy Bowes. Yall still kickin!!
Loved you guys from the beginning
Mr.Jorell has certainly got the range and fine improvisation technique which was very noticeable on So Very Hard To Go.& It's great to see and hear the return of the other Mike,Iron Mike,too,a excellent bandmember/Pro Musician from the Oakland Zone etc. Era.
Agreed. A couple concerts together, they should be fantastic.
Thanks for this post! Grateful for UA-cam!
Legend. ToP has been amazing forever.
Best band !!!!!! Doing it !!!! East Bay way!!!!! Keep on playing those sweet tunes👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Bogart is back!!!! Solid Lead!!!!!
The TOP horns helped out my most favoritest band, adding loads o funk. Little Feat.
big city
big city
7 hours ago
if you see his body of work posted on you tube before he got the Tower gig you see mainly ballads ( house is not a home blew me away).....mid tempo tunes did not knock me out and i was really looking forward to some mid tempo and shuffle funk tower classics.....found "what is hip" and "i like your style" quite enjoyable.....he is in one of the great schools of music and has the potential of being something very special.....with that said he also did a great job on friday's
show.....everybody needs to sit back and enjoy the ride!
Long life! Songs from my childhood! Show!
Best band on the planet
Awesome Mike!!!! So proud of you...from The Valley!!! #COGBF
RIP Rocco
While Emilio still digs James Brown, I still dig TOP.
They were part of one of the strangest double billings I ever saw when they opened for Cheech & Chong @ Masonic Auditorium, Detroit, MI, Nov. '73.
Some great funk, followed by a ton of extremely irreverent humor, what could be better than that ???
C&C were brilliant as a lot of their content had to do with the newly revealed Watergate arrests, and the rest was material from their albums.
But, it was that TOP horn section, plus Rocco Prestia that had me at hello.
Earlier that year I saw TOP open for Richie Havens @ an outdoor venue and that might qualify for the SECOND strangest bill I ever saw.
This one might be werider ? I seen them with Chuck berry it was a good show worlds apart 👍
I played with these guys in "91 ,,,,,, Awesome !!
Badass man!
TOWER OF POWER IS ONE OF THE BEST BAND IN THE LAND.
There is nothing like a live band, and add the expertise from TOP this is what chocolate sounds like.
no videos from anyone for the sat show.....why?
TOP is so great. The only thing I can't understand is why after their greatest song for song album Monster On A Leash they never made another. What a shame.
I really hope that one day the groove will come back to make all generations dance, especially in nightclubs.
they don't know what they are losing!
Intro's mentioning LONGEVITY pretty cool!! (keep breakin' it up, never gonna get there...)
Give him some time, he will grow into it.
Agreed. For first time, he did real good.
Hope so. Jury’s out on this guy.
Back to Oakland was the best.
I think his sweet spot is singing ballads
@Topjunkie Time will tell!
❤️❤️❤️
I saw TOP in Oakland with Tom Jones a number of years ago. They didn't sing one of their biggest hits in a one hour show. I never was so disappointed in a concert in my life. TOP needs to remember the fans come to hear the big songs from their teens, its ok to sing new stuff, but the big hits have to be in the show. If I wanted to see James Brown, I would have gone to his shows when he was alive.
I liked that kid they had on the Tiny Desk Concert. He was a youngblood runnin' with the big dogs but besides having a nice voice, he had a taste of attitude that I found refreshing.
And I seem to be in the minority but Tower's GOAT Lead Singer for me was Hubert Tubbs. He had the enormous shoes of LW to fill but that didn't seem to bother him and he commanded the stage like no one before or since.
My favorite TOP singer was Larry Braggs. POWERHOUSE! I loved Tom Bose, too. They've never had a bad vocalist.
still so. fucking. tight.
Mike!!!!!! You did great!
I SAW THESE CATS WITH ROCCO & GIRABALDI 2X BACK IN THE EARLY 2000'S! AMAZING GROOVES MAN!!
Iron Mike!
Are there still original members left playing?
Yes. Emilio (tenor sax) and Doc (bari sax) - who also write the songs. And David Garibaldi (drums) was part of the "classic" lineup, but not an original member.
Is that Bruce Conte back there on 2nd guitar? He was THEE guitar player that contributed to that TOP snap funk.
Sadly Bruce passed away a couple years ago
@@carlupthegrove262 ... They've had no other guitar player like him since. He contributed to the bands original sound that was PURE funk. We lost a good one. Rocco was another original master. Gone, but left us with many musical treasures.
Nice to see Iron Mike back, except he looks homeless. LoL. Both Micha'el and Adolfo, Alumni of the Maynard Ferguson band.
If you meet a homeless...give him..her to eat to drink ...clothes...2hat is needed and pray in the name of Jesus...god bless u
Randy Kamin---By Monday (3/14), at their show at SONY Hall, NYC, Iron Mike had gotten his hair buzzed & beard trimmed---and looked EXTREMELY handsome!
The greatest band still performing after 50 years - but why are they still doing that James Brown tribute / shtick - they have been doing it since Larry Briggs left.
Is Iron Mike back for the long haul or just subbing for Sal?
He's Back.
@@carlupthegrove262 That's great!
Who is the other guitar player?
Jerry Cortez.
@@andrewguerrero1965 Next to him
Jody Lopez original guitar player Tower of Power
So where are all the Black members? I thought they were predominantly Black back in their heyday ..
They've always been a mixture of black, white, and Mexican guys. Almost all the singers and keyboardists were black, though.
i there.
Too bad Rick expired so spoon after he was free to rejoin the band... and that Lenny had no interest (at least about ten years ago).
Guess that’s what happens when your forced to try to replace Larry Braggs.. how unfortunate !!
Old band like the Rolling Stones
I always thought of them as B S & T wannabees (but then same for Chicago) .. Did they ever have any top 10 hits?
Why aren't there any brothers in this band anymore?
Tight as ,,,,, Maybe. It,ll Rub off,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,🥝 kiwi guy New Zealand last stop before Scott Base South Pole
Don't change horse,s in a middle of a Stream ,,,,,,,,,,,🥝 kiwi guy New Zealand last stop before Scott Base South Pole 💈💈
Boring .
Then don’t listen. Why even reply
horrible
That guy doesn’t sing very good 🤨