![]() ![]() When most folks think of Tower of Power, it’s those horns-among them longtime trumpeters Greg Adams and Mic Gillette (who died in 2016) and saxophonist Lenny Pickett-they have in mind. Regardless of who’s come and gone through the years-and ToP has hosted a number of fine vocalists as well as instrumentalists-the core of the band has always been its five-piece horn section. All of the band’s signature tunes-“What Is Hip?,” “You’re Still a Young Man,” “So Very Hard to Go,” “You Ought to Be Having Fun,” and 18 others-are given definitive live treatments by the ensemble, numbering more than a dozen players for the occasion. The highlights, which included guest appearances from several alumni-Tower of Power has encompassed more than 60 individuals during its half-century-have now been released as a two-CD/one-DVD set, appropriately titled 50 Years of Funk & Soul-Live at the Fox Theater (Artistry). It all came full circle for ToP in June 2018, when the then-current lineup celebrated the outfit’s 50th anniversary over the course of two nights at Oakland’s historic Fox Theater. “Our album designer said, ‘You guys need to claim Oakland.’ So we named that first album East Bay Grease and we’ve been promoting Oakland, California, ever since, throughout the world.” “It was pointed out to us early in our career that we were not a San Francisco band,” says Tower of Power tenor saxophonist and bandleader Emilio Castillo, one of the two co-founders still performing with the group, along with baritone saxophonist Stephen “Doc” Kupka. And second, Tower of Power didn’t play psychedelic rock-from the start, they were all about soul and funk. For one thing, they were from Oakland although located directly across the bay from San Francisco, it might as well have been a suburb of Chattanooga as far as the rock audience was concerned. But one new band, Tower of Power, found themselves on the outside looking in. Local rock bands like Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Sly and the Family Stone, Santana, and Big Brother & the Holding Company (with Janis Joplin) were already famous or about to be. “But how will things get when we are on the tour bus grumpy after a period of time will be interesting.I n the late 1960s, the San Francisco sound was all the rage. As we are on the road together we will get a chance to experience each other and talk about our families, music and Christ,” he said. “Emilio and I share a love of Christ and his influence on our lives. But in the meantime he is focused on bonding with his band members including tenor saxophonist/vocalist and founding member, Emilio Castillo. Greene also hopes to bring his touch to Tower of Power’s forthcoming new album, which is being recorded as they tour around the world. ![]() I cannot do all Lenny’s riffs the whole night. How can there not be an influence when he was such a powerful force in their music? So I want to hark back to that but bring a fresher face to it as well. “Some people said they can hear some of Lenny’s influences on me. But for those looking to the present and future Greene is ready to give such songs a fresh vocal makeover. Listeners can reminisce on those days with the recent release of a live archival album from 1974 with Williams. It is Williams’ voice that helped make songs such as “You’re Still a Young Man,” “What is Hip?” and “So Very Hard to Go,” instant classics. However Greene isn’t likely to be compared to Braggs as much as to Lenny Williams, arguably the most memorable and commercially successful lead singer of Tower of Power. This past New Year’s Eve, Greene officially replaced former lead singer, Larry Braggs who toured with the band for 13 years. “I’ve always had this vision of reaching audiences throughout the world.” “I was happy with what I was doing but not completely satisfied with my life,” he revealed. Prior to joining the group, Greene built a loyal following in the local Boston area performing at corporate gigs, clubs and releasing several solo albums. Now he’s finally getting his chance to do just that as the new lead singer of legendary funk/soul band, Tower of Power. Ray Greene always knew that he was destined to share his musical gifts with audiences around the world. ![]() Black Financial Health Open dropdown menu. ![]()
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