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Tower of Power, the band that has delighted fans for more than three decades, returns to the L.A. County Fair at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, as part of the End of Summer Concert Series, presented by Toyota. Known for its incredible horn section and memorable lyrics with an eclectic mix of jazz, funk, rock and old school soul music, the band is a Fair favorite.
Tower of Power has completed more than 20 albums, the latest being Oakland Zone. The musical foundation was created in 1968 when Emilio Castillo, founder and bandleader of the sensational group, met with Stephen “Doc” Kupka after a county fair performance with his band called Motowns. That band became Tower of Power. “You’re Still A Young Man” was the first collaboration by Castillo and Kupka and to date is considered to be Tower of Power’s signature song.
The group quickly became a fixture in the Bay Area music scene. In 1971, they produced their first album East Bay Grease. Tower of Power continued to receive critical acclaim with their follow up albums Back To Oakland, Urban Renewal, Don’t Change Horses and Soul Vaccination.
The group experienced a slump during the ‘80s. However, with the aid of fellow Bay Area rocker Huey Lewis, the group was able to form a whole new fan base. Lewis, in exchange for the use of Tower’s horn section, would give a shout out to the crowd to meet him at a club where Tower of Power was scheduled to perform.
Gradually, Tower of Power returned to the grandeur of its name in 1991 with Monster On A Leash followed by 1993’s TOP. When not recording in the studio, the band is touring the world with sold out shows in Japan, Europe and the United States.
To celebrate the beginning of the band’s fourth decade of touring, performing and recording, Rhino Records assembled What is Hip?, an album released in 1999 tracing Tower of Power from its earlier days to its current upbeat releases.
Tower of Power is, in effect, the sound of the band. A variety of fine musicians evolving over the years have kept that sound. Tower of Power’s incredible horn section has been described as the backbone of the band. The musicians have performed with musical legends such as Carlos Santana, the Rolling Stones, the Monkees and, more recently, with several musically diverse bands including Phish and Fishbone.
Acclaimed for its amazing concert performances, Tower of Power lets loose with an energy-filled show that cries out for audiences to applaud and dance with the band. Fairguests keep coming back for more.
General admission to the grandstand is free with Fair admission; reserved seating is available for purchase. Reserved seating tickets may be purchased for $15, box seats for $17.50. Stageside seats are $60. Tickets may be purchased at the Fairplex credentials office, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., or on the Web site www.lacountyfair.com. Tickets may also be purchased at Ticketmaster locations or on the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com. The Fair runs Sept. 9 – Oct. 2, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Live thoroughbred horse racing returns Sept. 9 – 26, closed on Tuesdays only. For more concert and Fair information, call (909) 623-3111. /b.js><
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