Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section. There have been several lead vocalists, the most famous being Lenny Williams, who fronted the band between early 1973 and late 1974, the period of their greatest commercial success. Their biggest hits include "You're Still A Young Man", "So Very Hard To Go", "What Is Hip?", and "Don't Change Horses ." The roots of the band go back to the summer of 1968, when... tenor saxophonist/vocalist Emilio Castillo met Stephen "Doc" Kupka, who played baritone sax. Castillo had played in several bands, but it was Castillo's father, who told his son to "hire that guy" after a home audition. Together, they would become the backbone of Tower of Power. Within months, the group, known as the Motowns at the time, would begin playing various "gigs" around Oakland and Berkeley, their soul sound relating to both minority and rebellious listeners.
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| Career began: | 1967 |
| Members: | Roger Smith, Francis Rocco Prestia, Lee Thornburg, Stephen Kupka, Adolfa Acosta, Mike Bogart, Mark Harper, Tom Politzer, Stephen 'Doc' Kupka, David Garibaldi, Larry Braggs, Emilio Castillo, Dave Garibaldi |
| Hometown: | Oakland |
| Also known as: | Tower of Power |