In its fourth decade and going strong, Tower of Power lives up to its name as an enduring edifice in American music.
The band began in the late 1960s in the Bay Area of California. They stood out as a soulful horn-driven band in a time of psychedelic guitar music. Their base was gritty Oakland rather than trendy San Francisco; their first recording, in 1970, was "East Bay Grease."
Key founding members were Emilio Castillo on tenor sax, Stephen "Doc" Kupka on baritone sax, Mic Gillette on lead trumpet, and bassist Francis "Rocco" Prestia. Castillo came from Detroit, and Motown was initially a prime influence for the band. As the group grew and solidified around a core of versatile players such as Bruce Conte (guitar), Chester Thompson (B-3 organ) and Lenny Williams (vocals), Tower of Power developed a style that incorporated various strains of pop, jazz and soul. An overarching syncopation, both sophisticated and funky, gave the band a trademark sound.
Tower of Power's initial release, on then-local and fledgling Rhino Records, was marred by engineering and general tech problems that failed to capture the band's explosiveness, so well-known to their live audiences.
Their subsequent move to industry powerhouse Warner Brothers proved pivotal. The 1970's brought a string of successful releases - 10 in the course of the decade - and Tower of Power became a virtual hit machine, as well as a highly sought-after backing band for stars such as Elton John, Santana, Little Feat, Rod Stewart, Huey Lewis, and many others.
Over the course of years, players came and went, almost in the fashion of an orchestra, with chairs for the various components. But the trademark sound remained constant, with up-tempo dance numbers and convincing ballads.
In 1998, Doc Kupka founded Strokeland Records, which was at once a homecoming ("East Bay Soul Music") and a step into the future, with a website selling merchandise, promoting the music and its players, and featuring a community board for communication with and among the fan base. The labels' first release, "Kick It Up a Step!", featured Tower of Power members and some of the band's nearly 60 alumni.
TOWER OF POWER ON MONSTER CABLE
"Throughout the years, both Tower of Power and Strokeland have used products from Monster Cable," says Stephen "Doc" Kupka. "They are of high quality and we are proud to be associated with a company of that stature. All the basic tracks for 'Bumped Up to First Class' were recorded in a studio wired with Monster Cable. Thank you Monster Cable, for helping us get these great sounds."
For more information, check out http://www.epicrecords.com/towerofpower/
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