ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ย. 2019
- This week I chauffeur Emilio Castillo, founder of the legendary band Tower of Power around town. Uber and/or Lyft won’t be rushing to hire me, but at least I get my passengers where they need to go, and mostly on time. It’s a whole lot of fun...jump into the Tesla with me and Emilio!
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I can't tell you how much Tower Of Power influenced my music career! I met Emilio once when I worked in a music store. They stopped into the store to get a quick horn repair for a show they were doing that evening. He was such a nice guy! He invited to their show that night. He asked me what my name was and promised to leave it at the door to get me in to see them. I went down there prepared to pay to get it in because I could not believe he would remember to me down as a guest. To my surprise, the door person said "come on in, you are on the guest list"! My mind was totally blown. Once inside, I ran into a drummer friend of mine and we got right up in front of the stage and yelled all night long as TOP put on a beyond amazing show! I will never, ever forget that night.
I've been saying it for years, Tower of Power are the Navy Seals of musicians. There's never been a collection of spirit and attitude as these cats portray on the stage. Tremendous! Thank you Dave and Mimi
Thankful for their service
Yes! Absolutely FANTASTIC!
What a great interview. My lil bro, a legend, an institution, a guru! I would've never guessed. After 50 years he still has the straight facts.
Tower of Power's horn section is phenomenal. In fact, the whole band is awesome. They had a lot of great songs, but What is Hip is my favorite.
The first time I saw TOP was in Boston in the late 70's. The warm-up band was George Benson. It was a cool night.
This needs more views... this is Tower of power after all !!
My all time favorite band. They are the best! Love Mimi.
I cannot believe his favourite song is "There is Only So Much Oil in the Ground". It was always mine and a lot of people poo pooed it. Smokin' jam!
It's one of mine too. It cooks.
Emilio a true legend. I'm glad that I was able to see Tower of Power in the early 70's, a one of a kind band.
“Me too”! I saw them at Fairgrounds, in the Bay Area, (70’s) Incredible! I was VERY fortunate to have lived in the SF Bay Area! Followed them everywhere! No joke. Begging rides to go ANYWHERE to see them!
Kudos for that score. Emilio needs to be heard. I wish the host/driver had known who Freddie Hughes and Jesse James were. Those were significant soul history comments by Emilio.
One of my faves of all time. Saw them several times in the 1970's, and again in 2019. They're just as hot now as they were then.
I really look forward to "Only So Much Oil" when I see them live. It never became the hit that it deserved to be. Going to see them 2/9/23 at Harris Ctr, Folsom. Cooooool.
Amazing interview!!! Thank you Emilio for sharing your invaluable perspective. Our band, Tamaraw, opened for the 1973 version of TOP at a roller skate rink at Lake Hills in Bellevue, Washington. Lenny Picket, Chester Thompson and Lenny Williams were in the group. You guys kindly let us use your PA system. For the first time, we actually heard ourselves play while performing. Your monitors were so much better than our actual PA system. On top of debuting your hits...What Is Hip...So Very Hard to Go...what I really remembered...and...appreciated... was your group's sincerity, genuineness and encouragement in being good people beyond the music. Thank you for who you are...and...what you have accomplished. Love you guys!!!
Completely love and respect TOP and Emilio's heart and brain for 50 years. I'm a funk/jazz/blues/soul drum, bass, horn, keyboard, arranger, singer fan. Koz, you nailed it!
Just saw them last night for the 14th time. There is no equal to these guys!
I was 13...I heard You're Still A Young Man.....and it was all over. I had discovered crack before crack was crack!! :) Just starting to play bass, I had found my inspiration and motivation to be as good as I could possibly be. Everything - and I mean EVERYTHING by TOP I could find - I convinced my Mom to buy! I was as straight a kid as you could find - no weed...no pills...alcohol...but when I put those records on my little portable player - It was my first real buzz. Of course my buds didn't understand the vibe at that time - and thought I was a lil off for liking this band so much :) I didn't care. Funny thing is - by the time we were all juniors - they had all been vaccinated!! And we formed a TOP cover band. We only had 3 horns - but we made it work! We played anywhere there was electricity :) For free sometime! People put the word out that we were damn good for a bunch of kids playing such intricate parts. My (late) best childhood friend was our Rick Stevens :) That boy could sing like a grown man....I'll always love The Tower - and I'll always give props to Rocco Prestia for helping me find my musical niche'......
I played with Brass Horizon back in the day. A few of the Tower guys showed up at some of our gigs. Never forget Rocco sitting backstage one night and spent the whole time raving about The Spyders lol
Just came across this video. Long time Tower fan from CT. Treated myself to a trip to CA to attend their 50th anniv concert. Best vacation & concert EVER!!!
Hope they’re back soon…last time I saw them last yr in fairfield at the FTC. It was always great to see them at Toads. It all started my senior year at SCSC when they played at the Waterbury Palace.sounds like you had a once in a lifetime party in CA
Thanks for that, Dave. Mimi and TOP have been musical heroes to me personally for over 40 years - I've seen them over 40 times in 4 cities on 2 continents. And the new album with the latest lineup of players, and singer Marcus Scott stands up to every studio album they've ever done. Great to hear your conversation!
As a drummer this band is unbelievable so many layers to there sound love them
I concur unconditionally! I have “ear worms” every single day but, I’m gonna say Tower of Power is 80% of them! I have been singing Soul Vaccination for at least a week now! God love ‘em!
Thank you - Emilio - great music - my neighbor is Rocco's brother - Steve - I love the stories - he tells - you put on Tower of Power music and people just come alive. Thank You.
I'm 63, from Portugal. I'd never heard of T.o.P. until the beginning of the 90's and it was a portuguese guy who lived in America that introduce me to their music. Before that I loved Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago etc. as far as "horn" bands are concerned. In the late years I became a hard fan of T.o.P. I love you guys. Thank you Dave for this marvelous interview.
Check out Mandrill, if you haven't already.
Seriously underrated horn band!
They were our classmates at Kennedy High in Fremont. Emilio and Jody Lopez. Remember them well.
Saw TOP for the 1st time at U of Pacific in 1971 and have seen them 25 times or more since! Emilio and doc are the best!
Dave Emilio and Doc Stephen Kupka are and have been ledges. From a kid back in 68 with my first car and listened to T o P on 4 track before 8 track. Oh, Dave the Christmas event was unreal! Thank to all the guys.
The first time I saw TOP was at Eastern Washington State College in 1970. A great concert. They had a streaker run across the stage with a TOP bumper sticker on his butt.
Excellent interview of a true legend!
So glad I found this. I second, third, fourth......ONE HUNDREDTH everything Dave said! Also I’m sooo happy to hear Emillio’s pick of ‘Only So Much Oil’ and ‘Urban Renewal’. My long time favorites too! A HS band mate loaned me that record in 11th grade and changed my life. I played it so much I had to buy him a new copy. The fact that record did not do well is a travesty!
Thanks Dave, thanks Emilio!
The Carousel Ballroom was bought by Bill Graham, which he turned into The Fillmore West . The Fillmore Auditorium is the original. site, which was called The Fillmore.
I’ve been a fan since the late 70’s. TOP played Bristol UK at a small venue the 02 academy a couple of years back I took my good mate and singer in our band, he had never heard of them, the sound in the venue was brilliant, the band were fantastic, as always, he was completely blown away and stunned, he said it was like listening to an album, he could not believe the quality of the band and music after the show he never shut up about it, and couldn’t get over he had never heard of them 😂 hope to see them in the UK soon in Bristol please.❤️
Unfortunately not a lot of people in the UK have heard of them. Whenever I go to one of their concerts the room's full of musicians.
My favorite live band of all time, no matter the lineup.
What a humble, how ever, super talented muso,, the industry needs more muso's lie Emilio Costello,, down to earth, grass roots personality, but has his shit together, a story worth watching, Tower of Power is perhaps one of the tightest fusion funk bands around !.
Great interview. Thanks fellas!
Dave and Mimi, If I can say that, I too drove Emilio around Fort Worth in the late 80's. TOP played MayFest in FW. Actually couldn't find my truck for a bit downtown. Quite an embarrassing moment. Spent the next 5 or so hours at Old South Pancake House just beating you down. Keep Comin' Back My Friend!.
Dave. ToP is my all-time favorite band as well! No question whatsoever! Incomparable!!
I’m not taking credit for this but, years ago, I started calling ToP’s unique brand of of Soul/Funk as “SophistaFunk”. One of a kind!!
TOP changed my musical direction! A highlight of my career was opening for them twice.
I was at that Aretha Queen of Soul Fillmore show.
Urban Renewal is the best funk album EVER!!
First time I saw TOP, Rick Stevens was the vocalist (RIP). Since then I've probably seen them two dozen times. Never gets old or tired. Very simply downright funky-soul music at it's best. No weird gimmicks, no hard to get formula...love me some TOP!
Tower of power love there music and band
I could listen all day stories from Mimi. What a Class Act Dave Koz is. So generous.
Thanks Mr. Castillo for the many years of beautiful/wonderful music. The same goes for Mr. Koz.
TOP is hands down my favorite band. I was introduced to them in the late 80's by the trumpet player in the band I toured with for 8 years and I've been hooked ever since. Thank you to Emilio, Doc, DG and the army of great players who have brought me so much joy for so many years. In fact I was listening to "Step Up" as this video came across my feed.
And of course Dave is no slouch, occupying almost as much of my jazz playlist as TOP does my horn band playlist.
What a Fantastic and open dialog. Music History for real! Loved it. Proud to say I'm an original TOP fan.. Meeting Dave tomorrow night in Atlanta! can't wait to hang out and get in the Christmas Spirit!
Great video Dave... I grew up with the Tower...
TOP….you are TOPS ! soul/funk soundtrack of our lives!
You are the ultimate bandleader, Mimi!
Hey, Sacramento had some great musicians visit and play some hot music. And I remember the Loading Zone. Those were some great days of music.
I remember The Loading Zone too. Linda Tillery singing lead. There was nothing better than being a music fan growing up in the Bay Area.
Saw these guys (again) last night. Here we are in October of 2023 and the average person I encounter is totally unaware of TOP. They are like "what's that?" Admittedly, I am just a little younger than Mimi and I'm a guitar player but what rock have these 30 and 40-somethings been hiding under? Tower of Power is one of the greatest funk and soul bands every to grace the stage.
Favorite band since 1970.. Thanks for the interview Dave.
Great interview. I'm going to see Tower next Saturday in St. Charles, IL!
Loved TOP for decades. Much respect to Emillio. Praying I get to see TOP in August 2020.
Been going to see the tower of power since the 70's at the Solano county fair grounds. First time with con funkshun and trans bay central. Never get tired of all that funk and soul.
This is awesome! Thank you!
My favorite and I was lucky enough to see them live....Thank you.
Awesome !
Great interview greattings from Central América
What a great interview with the master of TOP
Love this! Love ToP and still play ALL songs that keep me motivated. Horn genius that needs to be incorporated in present day songs👍🏾
I am so thankful that hearing praise never gets old because you all definitely help guide my life to all things Godly.❤️✝️♾🙏🏽💪🏽
GREAT INTERVIEW ONE OF THE BEST
I'VE BEEN JAMMING WITH THE
GREAT TOWER OF POWER 🌀
SINCE THE 70ES AFTER FOLLOWING
MY OLDEST BROTHER THAT INTRODUCED ME TO TOWER OF POWER
MUSIC 🎶🎷🎸 ONE OF MY FAVORITE JAMS IS SPARKLING IN THE SAND 💥💕
I'VE ROMANCE SO MANY LADIES WITH THAT JAM " MY UPER RESPECT TO
EMILIO" CASTILLO ⭐ AS MUCH AS
THE HOLE TOWER OF POWER
BAND 🎷🎙️🎸🎶🎯 FROM HURON FRESNO CALI GRACIAS 🏆💯 7% I THANK U FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY 💜HEART ,,
Great Great Interview! 👍
I’m w Dave. Such a great influence. So much my band was What Is Hip. Thanks Emilio! Thanks Dave!
Mimi is the man that makes TOP so great! Love that guy. 50 + years later still love him.
Emilio Castillo is all class!!! TOP >Total Respect!!! Their new album in '20 is outstanding too!
Fantastic interview dave, mimi looks incredible!
One of the highlights of musical career. We played a gig at KKatie's in Kenmore Square in the spring of '73. The week after we left the next band in was a little known R&B band from out west called Tower Of Power. I've been a fan ever since. Mimi guys are the best!!
Thank God and Emilio for TOP !!!!
Dude, that was cool. Thanks for that.
That's also my favorite album and in the top three TOP songs.
Great interview Dave, "Only So Much Oil" is one of the songs I played with Ruby and the Mudflaps in Munich 1977
Really great interview . . .
great interview!
Just discovered this channel. Cool!
The Best
T.O.P. at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, CA. Man those gigs were smokin!
Still waiting to use my COVID postponed tickets. Need some TOP time. Thanks Dave; what a modest legend in Mimi.
Seen TOP probably about 20 plus times. Every show is better than the one before. Incredible musicians. So sorry to see Larry Braggs, the world's greatest male singer left a few years ago. Love Dave Koz. Especially when he Teams up with Rick Braun, Peter White. Just saw a streaming Christmas show. The streaming software was awful but the show was phenomenal.
T.O.P. Live. From maybe 1999, one of my favorite albums ever. I think better than the studio versions of all the songs.
Depending on who I was playing with that night at the time, Ii would either be this album or any Steely Dan on the way there.
Funk the Dumb Stuff is one of the coolest songs ever.
So glad we were able to see TOP at the Fresno Fair this year!
Doc. Most successful Bari player
if i saw Emilio Castillo in person right now i would give him a great big hug and kiss!! I LOVE YOU BABY!!!!! TOWER OF POWER WAS THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!
TO ME, TOP WAS THE EPITAMY OF "BLUE EYED SOUL". THEY WERE THE KINGS!
Emilio Thank you And your Band For So much Great Music 🎼🌉 Am A Fan From Day One And Dave You Too Love you Guys 🤗😄🎼 stay safe 🙏 The Gemini Man NYC 🎵🎶🎼🌉💿💞
Awesome interview. Emilio is so cool..just seems like a genuinely nice person. I’ll buy him a beer anytime if he’s willing to get together..😊
Iced Tea maybe,he don't drink booze.
TOP 40th anniversary, Your still a young man. Is the most powerful piece of music that I have ever heard. Thank you Emilio.
It's one that's up there John Y.. It's up there...
Lenny Williams. Nuff said 🎤🎷
I came upon T.O.P. by accident. They were billed as the opener for Blood, Sweat and Tears at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto around 1991 give or take a year. They were on their Monster on a Leash tour. (It was just before Greg Adams left the band.) My ticket stub said, "D.C.Thomas" and I thought, "Who's that?" but eventually figured that one out. haha. When the "opening band" came out I had nooooooo idea what I was about to hear. I ended up digging them much more than even BS&T! I've seen them twice since then and I must have about 90% of their albums. (CDs, sorry.)
Over the years I have to say that LB has been my choice as lead singer. Anybody else with me on that?
My favourite keepsake from those concerts is nothing valuable monetarily, but Adolfo handed me his cheat sheet (or whatever it's called) that had the order of songs for that evening listed on it. (I neither confirm nor deny that I am a trumpet player.)
Favourite tune: Squib Cakes from the ablum "Direct" (or perhaps it's the "Direct Plus" reissue).
Dave & Emilio: Great Interview!
What happened to the Oakland and Bay Area music scene is that sadly, the sort of artistic bohemian and urban multi racial blue collar communities (including many older suburbs) that produced groups like Tower of Power, are no largely more, their members having been widely displaced and scattered with the rise of Silicon Valley.
Oaktown!
WOW! what an original thought Dave...did you get permission from Jerry?
What is hip!
Why is TOP not in the RandR Hall of Fame? There is a ton of much lesser talent in the HofF. This band has spanned two generations of great music and incredible musicians.
Dave...I dont have a driving license;-)
What are the other 2 songs. ?
I was also waiting to hear what the other 2 favorite songs of Emilios' were
the essence of this time it's real.... really HIP - ness is what this this _/) Thanx