I was at this show...I remember this very well. I love when Lenny joins in at TOPs NYC shows. He is such a wonderful player and he adds so much to the songs when he solos. Love it. It was nice to see this again on video. Thanks for posting.
Well, he dropped out of high school when he was 14. Apparently, he knew exactly what his purpose on this earth was, and started playing professionally. TOP hired him when he was 18, a legend in the East Bay, and close to starving - I'm guessing he had trouble getting work in bars because of his age. But even then he was a seasoned professional and had an act together - those suits, the hair, and that Krazy Legs dancing didn't come from nowhere.
In 1973, I sat outside San Diego's Funky Quarters jazz club to hear a relatively new jazz/funk showband from Oakland. Tower of Power. I was a fan of Cold Blood and heard Skip Mesquite was playing lead tenor with them. I heard Soul Vaccination for the first (and second) time and thought, "whoever is blowing that solo is about to make me shit myself!" After seeing TOP a couple months later at Balboa Stadium I heard the same wicked solo. I figured out it was Lenny Pickett I heard that night at Funky Quarters. Funny thing, Lenny and I were both born in '54. I was made to sit outside that club because I was 19 at the time and they served beer and wine inside.
Freakin LP power big time...as the kids today would say..."SICK ASS" playing !! I love these guys...My earliest memories of the boys I was around 8 or 9 years old. Just awesome. Im now in my late 40's and still hooked into the POWER !!
Lenny’s still one of my main inspirations though I think I caught him on an off day... he’s an amazing player, think it’s attributed to all that practicing he did in his formative years... the Earl Bostic practice regiment seems to have worked for him real well.
Who the hell gave this a thumb down?! Wonderful stuff and I am not only saying that because I was there and am in shot in this video. Wicked man. Thanks for posting!
I think Mr Pickett was wearing white tie and tails a la Cab Calloway when I first laid eyes on the new version of ToP, half-time, Rose Bowl game telecast, New Year's Day, 1973 - what an impression he above all but of course Williams & CT made
I am amazed Lenny hasn't ruptured one of his cerebral arteries playing that effing incredible altissimo....but I am so glad he hasn't. What a champion.
His name is Raymond McKinley. He is from the Bay Area and filled in for Rocca a lot while he was out sick. He is the current bass player for Sheila E. He has also played with George Duke, Rachelle Ferrell, Patti Labelle, and many more.
Wha? Lenny played with Yellowjackets? When? I know Marc Russo (TOP alum) played alto with YJs. Did Lenny do studio work between leaving TOP in '81 and joining SNL in '85?
@@IMCcanTWEESTED What if’s or what they are. . Just listen to TOP Live album I think it was made in Sacramento at the California state fair. Dude uses Circular breathing and he goes off for a good five minutes
No I don’t know if LP Played with the Berkeley high band but I know he went there .. Legend is he left high school early. Got a job with tower of . Anyway you slice he iis a bad mother jumper.
@@IMCcanTWEESTED My man when you were as good as LP He never was lacking for work. Yellow jackets is the school mascot .for Berkeley high not a band . I’m Old enough to remember Gene (the dream) ransom. Phil Chenier, Glen Burks. More but my old mind eludes me sometimes .
@@tellthetruthg Dude that is some BAT shit. (Bay Area Trivia). More B-Ball stuff..a friend of mine invited me to his brother Ralph's bachelor party in La Mesa. I quickly noticed that I was the smallest guy in the room (and I'm 6'-1") His brother was former Grossmont High MVP and UCLA Bruins Center, Ralph Drollinger. Half the '73 NCAA Champion Bruins including a 22 year-old Bill Walton were all there partying their asses off. Pity I wasn't more of a sports fan. I recognized Bill Walton when he stepped over and informed me that it was his beer cup I was flicking my cigarette ashes into. I apologized and got him a fresh beer real quick. Other guys would've killed to be in my place.
Dear Lord Jesus do I love this band & since the beginning. They show soul is not proprietary‼️
What's sick is at 60 years old LP can kick out a solo like that and still have the energy to dance....amazing
I was at this show...I remember this very well. I love when Lenny joins in at TOPs NYC shows. He is such a wonderful player and he adds so much to the songs when he solos. Love it. It was nice to see this again on video. Thanks for posting.
What's crazy is if you do the math, LP was born in '54 and therefore did his work on the best TOP albums before he was 20 years old. Sick. Sick. Sick.
Well, he dropped out of high school when he was 14. Apparently, he knew exactly what his purpose on this earth was, and started playing professionally. TOP hired him when he was 18, a legend in the East Bay, and close to starving - I'm guessing he had trouble getting work in bars because of his age. But even then he was a seasoned professional and had an act together - those suits, the hair, and that Krazy Legs dancing didn't come from nowhere.
I don't think '54
Oh Sure make me feel worst about my OK Tenor sax ability that he was 20-ish when he was put that out on album!!
In 1973, I sat outside San Diego's Funky Quarters jazz club to hear a relatively new jazz/funk showband from Oakland. Tower of Power. I was a fan of Cold Blood and heard Skip Mesquite was playing lead tenor with them. I heard Soul Vaccination for the first (and second) time and thought, "whoever is blowing that solo is about to make me shit myself!" After seeing TOP a couple months later at Balboa Stadium I heard the same wicked solo. I figured out it was Lenny Pickett I heard that night at Funky Quarters. Funny thing, Lenny and I were both born in '54. I was made to sit outside that club because I was 19 at the time and they served beer and wine inside.
Freakin LP power big time...as the kids today would say..."SICK ASS" playing !! I love these guys...My earliest memories of the boys I was around 8 or 9 years old. Just awesome. Im now in my late 40's and still hooked into the POWER !!
L.P. tearing it up with his SAX.and he still has the moves as a dancer .💥🔥💥🔥💥🔥
It just doesn't get too much more funkier than that. Lenny is a beast.
1 of a kind.
I seen it!!! My dog whistle can't scream that high! But, it's the tonation, timing, and just pure beautiful sound he eminates.
Lenny’s still one of my main inspirations though I think I caught him on an off day... he’s an amazing player, think it’s attributed to all that practicing he did in his formative years... the Earl Bostic practice regiment seems to have worked for him real well.
Lenny funkin Pickett! 🎉
You cant teach that. You're born with it.
So very hard to blow! Phenomenal as always the great LP!!
Deena Stoddard Indeed, it's LP, the phenom comes home!!
Who the hell gave this a thumb down?! Wonderful stuff and I am not only saying that because I was there and am in shot in this video. Wicked man. Thanks for posting!
Lovin the sound of that sax!
Lenny Pickett is a badass!!
Happy birthday, Lenny Pickett!! :D
I think Mr Pickett was wearing white tie and tails a la Cab Calloway when I first laid eyes on the new version of ToP, half-time, Rose Bowl game telecast, New Year's Day, 1973 - what an impression he above all but of course Williams & CT made
I am amazed Lenny hasn't ruptured one of his cerebral arteries playing that effing incredible altissimo....but I am so glad he hasn't. What a champion.
One word probably, technique! But probably you shouldn’t try this unless you’ve got that in spades!
Or got a sprained ankle doin the Swirl & Twirl Oakland Stroke Dance.
I done spotted Dennis Grimaldi; Lead Singer in front row footage & Brian Rachlin; Website Administrator & guitarist.
The meanest horn on the planet!!
Looks like a great night!
Total TOP Legend!
Here that Maceo Parker influence in this!
Lenny Pickett hits notes only dogs can hear.
Ok Lenny, I think we can work you into our setlist. How about you take a 1,048 bar solo in What is Hip? Take more if you need it.
What is Hip! This is!
kick it LENNY!
I love that guy..
"LP!" "Lenny Picket"
Jiminy freakin' Christmas.
Anybody know who was the Bass Player at this concert?
His name is Raymond McKinley. He is from the Bay Area and filled in for Rocca a lot while he was out sick. He is the current bass player for Sheila E. He has also played with George Duke, Rachelle Ferrell, Patti Labelle, and many more.
@@rmckinley5723, thank You, John.
Wow, two Berg Larsen 130/0 saxophone mouthpiece users there!
WHERE CAN I GET THE WHOLE VIDEO FROM THIS SHOW??????? please😁
Jesus LP
f--k yeah!
Omg ;)!!!!
LP start :40
The Doc needs to upgrade to a contrabass sax.
Don’t know if that’s a sax or a dog whistle 🤣
L P!!!!!!!!!
Snl band conductor yellow jacket alum . Get the yellow jacket ref and I’ll know you are a bay oak town child
Wha? Lenny played with Yellowjackets? When? I know Marc Russo (TOP alum) played alto with YJs. Did Lenny do studio work between leaving TOP in '81 and joining SNL in '85?
@@IMCcanTWEESTED What if’s or what they are. . Just listen to TOP Live album I think it was made in Sacramento at the California state fair. Dude uses Circular breathing and he goes off for a good five minutes
No I don’t know if LP Played with the Berkeley high band but I know he went there .. Legend is he left high school early. Got a job with tower of . Anyway you slice he iis a bad mother jumper.
@@IMCcanTWEESTED My man when you were as good as LP He never was lacking for work. Yellow jackets is the school mascot .for Berkeley high not a band . I’m Old enough to remember Gene (the dream) ransom. Phil Chenier, Glen Burks. More but my old mind eludes me sometimes .
@@tellthetruthg Dude that is some BAT shit. (Bay Area Trivia). More B-Ball stuff..a friend of mine invited me to his brother Ralph's bachelor party in La Mesa. I quickly noticed that I was the smallest guy in the room (and I'm 6'-1") His brother was former Grossmont High MVP and UCLA Bruins Center, Ralph Drollinger. Half the '73 NCAA Champion Bruins including a 22 year-old Bill Walton were all there partying their asses off. Pity I wasn't more of a sports fan. I recognized Bill Walton when he stepped over and informed me that it was his beer cup I was flicking my cigarette ashes into. I apologized and got him a fresh beer real quick. Other guys would've killed to be in my place.