I interviewed all the members of Tower of Power in 2002 on the NYC tour and submitted it to Rolling Stone Magazine in 2003 and they rejected the story and wrote me that no one really knew or cared about Tower of Power! I have that article in my files.
Ouch! That’s cold. However, there is some truth to it. They never had good radio play, and their record sales, are marginal. Many music fans know the name, but not the music. They are a true road band, because it’s how they made their living, and have kept their following Alive. Lots of lead singers, and turnover. Wasn’t Bill Graham their first Manager?
I saw TOP with Huey Lewis in the mid 80s at Norfolk Scope. It was electric. I’ve always loved big sound and whenever I hear Huey Lewis my next thought is TOP. Great story.
I just saw Tower of Power here in Cleveland with their new lead singer, Mike Jerel from The Voice. Awesome show!! The keyboard player was out for Covid quarantine, but their amazing rhythm section with Garabaldi, Jerry Cortez and the new bass player kept the funky soul groovin’. We are so blessed that these guys are still out there doin’ it!!!
I've always liked Huey Lewis and the News. Not just for his music but because he is a cool guy, a straight shooter, down to earth type of person. Those personal qualities are great for an individual to have in life. I had the Fore! cassette tape and wore it out.
Huey, is also a very intelligent guy. High School Prep, and Ivy League College. I think it was Cornell or Dartmouth, but I don't think he graduated. Dropped out to play music.
I was about 18 when Huey came over for my second concert. I was blown away, Huey, the band, the horns they were awesome. At the time tower of power was unknown to me. What has changed. Saw those guys in 2006 in Germany, they all signed my paper ticket. Good times!!!
We first saw TOP in Cleveland Ohio at the Agora when they just released East Bay Grease. No one knew them, there were maybe 20 people in the audience. The next time they came back to Cleveland you couldn't get into the club. One of the greatest groups of all time and should be in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. They are real musicians and have "Soul with a capital S." 🎼🥁🎷🎺🎲
Love hearing all of the HLN and TOP stories. Great songs played by amazing musicians. Our current sax player, Steve Nieves played with TOP trumpet player Greg Adams and has been a huge asset to our HLN tribute band.
Love TOP! we saw Huey and News w/ top horns. I think summer 1986 or 87! Also have seen TOP a handful of times over the years! One standount was when Ellis Hall was singing and playing keys... I think the Paradise in Boston. Close to same time frame. Huey always seemed liked a class act. And i hear he's a good golfer... and don't forget folks a killer electric hamonica player too! He knows all the funky blues licks
I saw that tour as well. I was a Huey Lewis fan, as soon as he broke big. I have friends from the Bay Area, who knew Huey from the clubs, who say the News, were already locally famous before they hit big. Have been a TOP fan for decades, as I first heard them on an R&B station out of Newark, NJ, in the early 70s. The irony, I learned about them from radio, when lack of radio air play nationally, hurt this great band miserably.
Great interview. I'm a 48 year fan of the band and have seen them almost 100 times.(lost count after 70) The only lead singer I never saw was Rick Stevens. and speaking of lead singers, I heard that Marcus Scott is no longer in the band and if so was wondering why? I know he came out with a solo album. Again, great interview and looking forward to the rest in the series. I met Huey once, truly a down to earth guy and a class act. Too bad about his struggle with Meniere's. RIP Rocco
@@tonyallen6510 I don't have my tickets, but one show,(it cost $6.00) they opened for Santana, then Carlos played and then the horn section joined them on stage. Those were the days!
I will always LOVE the Tower of Power. I'm from the Bay area, Newark and Union City, California, Decoto! is the hood. I watched these guys grow up and morph into the Baddest Mo-Fos ever. I sometimes heart ache over them, I'm a drummer, Dave Garibaldi was my Master Drummer and still is to this day ! I can't tell you how many dives, fairs, bars, and concerts I've attended just to see these guys. My biggest dream -bucket list dream and perhaps regret is not playing with Tower of Power. I live in Bakersfield, Ca. I hear Dave comes here to ride his mountain bike with other long riders because we have lots of challenging hills, people train here. I friend of mine met Dave and bought some high-hats from him, I almost cried with pain I missed meeting him. I did meet The Godfather, James Brown ! we hung out for a bit in Sacramento, Ca. He was so Kool and Awesome, He called me Bro John, That was a fun couple of days. !! But meeting Emilio, Doc, Rocco, and Dave would be a LIFE's "Dream come true" I remember them as young skinny dudes ! especially Doc ! Long hair -White t-shirts and skinny, lol! Mimi in his burgundy Red suits. Lenny with an afro ! hahaha! my heart aches just thinking about it! Mick Gillette who was with "Cold Blood", God bless his soul.. , Hey guys if you ever read this, email me at :john@felsenthal.com it would be the thrill of my lifetime, I could die a happy man. I've seen you guys from all over the California. and I will see you again. You guys are the Baddest Funkiest Band in the whole world ! ! Unmatchable!
Love it!! T.O.P. with Huey Lewis.... Real music!! Both are great bands but when they started recording together, there was a sonic shift back to real music!!
Great interview. I grew up on TOP. Now Yoyoka Soma is covering what is hip and bringing new fans on board. She is the drum prodigy from Japan. If you have not seen her cover videos on you tube you need to check her out. Her little brother Shido is a bad ass little drummer too.
The few times I saw the TOP Horns with Huey and the News, they would do 3-4 TOP songs. Those were usually What is Hip, So Very Hard To Go, You’re Still A Young Man, and This Time Is Real. Some fans here can probably recall others, but for sure, Huey sang those 4 with his band The News and the TOP Horns. My wife and I would joke that Hueys favorite TOP album, is pretty much everyone else’s favorite TOP album. The Warner Bros Album title “Tower Of Power.” Their best seller, with the most singles.
Another reason why Huey and the News belong in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame. I don't think the critics understand what a great band they were. They pretty much created and produced Sports on their own, without any meddling from the Execs.
One of the reasons TOP has had such success is Emilio's great personality. People seem to take a liking to him quickly, and he knows how to create relationships and keep them working.
WoW! Just listened to a few cuts from the album. Some of the tightest music I have ever heard. And I've heard a lot in the last 60 years. These guys sound even better, much better than I remember!!!! Thank you for this reminder.
Great interviews! Nice background info on Huey and their history. Way back when there were lots of extended tunes made for FM radio. Tower recorded one of the all time classics, don't think it's well known today, but check out "Sparkling in the Sand". So filled with emotion and a relaxing vibe. Unique tune!
One of the best! A newfound family friend back in the day in San Fran made me a mixtape for my drive back to Texas and that and a couple of other TOP songs were on it. When "Sparkling in the Sand" came in, I went, "Whoa!!..." I pretty much wore out that cassette replaying that song over and over (especially that signature passage where the long-held trumpet note morphs into a flute!). Made me a fan for life.
The gist of the story is: TOP made the transition into highlighting the Tower of Power Horn Section as a sideline. This is something Chicago wouldn’t do, though Jimmy Pankow’s arrangements are everywhere. Think Rosanna for instance. All the bands that I considered “Big Band Rock”, that is, led by horns, went by the wayside.
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, are still out there, with their Blues, R&B, rock thing. I saw them about 8 years ago, and those cats can still swing. The horn players in that band, also do a fair amount of side work. When I saw them, Maceo, came out of the audience and did a few JB numbers with them. Great fun.
Always liked Tower of Power since the early 70s but I had no idea Huey Lewis was as solid a guy as he is and it makes his current status more heartbreaking. Two great bands helping each other, that's wonderful.
Great job, John! It's also settled a point that Bobby Vega raised with me in an interview a few years ago...and that interview has just put it all to rights. Thank you!
Keep up the great work John Beaudin! I really enjoy your interviews with all of these great long-time almost forgotten wonderful artists. You definitely need to do a new interview with Mark Farner when you get a chance. I heard he has a new live dvd coming out in April. Take care & stay safe & keep up the wonderful work John Beaudin. I really appreciate it my friend.
@@robertdowler3347 Yeah, I saw Lee in the early days. He was great fun, just he and Frosty. Definitely was in to this idea of being Hendrix on the Hammond. He had lots of muscle when he played live.
TOP certainly didn't need any career saving in our house! But thank you, Huey.
love this! need more! Sounds like Huey Lewis is a real one, not some industry sellout
Great story. And Emilio Castillo is just a bundle of joy, so likeable.
The eternal question...What is hip? The eternal answer... Tower of Power!!
Great piece ,2 of my favs TOP & Huey
I interviewed all the members of Tower of Power in 2002 on the NYC tour and submitted it to Rolling Stone Magazine in 2003 and they rejected the story and wrote me that no one really knew or cared about Tower of Power! I have that article in my files.
Ouch! That’s cold. However, there is some truth to it. They never had good radio play, and their record sales, are marginal. Many music fans know the name, but not the music. They are a true road band, because it’s how they made their living, and have kept their following Alive. Lots of lead singers, and turnover. Wasn’t Bill Graham their first Manager?
Love the good guy stories.
I saw TOP with Huey Lewis in the mid 80s at Norfolk Scope. It was electric. I’ve always loved big sound and whenever I hear Huey Lewis my next thought is TOP. Great story.
I saw a Huey show on HBO in '85 when the TOP came on stage, 1 at a time. Powerful.
I just saw Tower of Power here in Cleveland with their new lead singer, Mike Jerel from The Voice. Awesome show!! The keyboard player was out for Covid quarantine, but their amazing rhythm section with Garabaldi, Jerry Cortez and the new bass player kept the funky soul groovin’. We are so blessed that these guys are still out there doin’ it!!!
I've always liked Huey Lewis and the News. Not just for his music but because he is a cool guy, a straight shooter, down to earth type of person. Those personal qualities are great for an individual to have in life. I had the Fore! cassette tape and wore it out.
Huey, is also a very intelligent guy. High School Prep, and Ivy League College. I think it was Cornell or Dartmouth, but I don't think he graduated. Dropped out to play music.
I was about 18 when Huey came over for my second concert. I was blown away, Huey, the band, the horns they were awesome. At the time tower of power was unknown to me. What has changed. Saw those guys in 2006 in Germany, they all signed my paper ticket. Good times!!!
Saw tower of power in the 70's a few times. What a great live band..
Love Huey Lewis and his fantastic band The News. Fore is one of my all-time favourite albums and there isn't one bad or weak song on the whole album.
Thank you HUEY.
seen them live with Huey in Vancouver
We first saw TOP in Cleveland Ohio at the Agora when they just released East Bay Grease. No one knew them, there were maybe 20 people in the audience. The next time they came back to Cleveland you couldn't get into the club. One of the greatest groups of all time and should be in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. They are real musicians and have "Soul with a capital S." 🎼🥁🎷🎺🎲
More interviews please with Tower of Power.....
East Bay Soul🎼🎤🎧🎷🎸🎹🎺🥁🎼
Love hearing all of the HLN and TOP stories. Great songs played by amazing musicians. Our current sax player, Steve Nieves played with TOP trumpet player Greg Adams and has been a huge asset to our HLN tribute band.
Love TOP! we saw Huey and News w/ top horns. I think summer 1986 or 87! Also have seen TOP a handful of times over the years! One standount was when Ellis Hall was singing and playing keys... I think the Paradise in Boston. Close to same time frame. Huey always seemed liked a class act. And i hear he's a good golfer... and don't forget folks a killer electric hamonica player too! He knows all the funky blues licks
I saw that tour as well. I was a Huey Lewis fan, as soon as he broke big. I have friends from the Bay Area, who knew Huey from the clubs, who say the News, were already locally famous before they hit big. Have been a TOP fan for decades, as I first heard them on an R&B station out of Newark, NJ, in the early 70s. The irony, I learned about them from radio, when lack of radio air play nationally, hurt this great band miserably.
Paradise in Boston? What year? I saw them too but David wasn’t playing with them at the time.
I really love these interviews and videos, especially Tower of Power .
TOP at the Fox is through the roof! You MUST make every effort to see it. It is awesome! Thank you for the great performance.
Thank you so much, that was great! Nivlce to hear what a great guy Huey is - live his and his band's stuff
I saw Huey Lewis/News w/ TOP and Robert Cray Band with the Memphis Horns. What a great show that was! TOP were a show unto themselves!!!
Great interview. I'm a 48 year fan of the band and have seen them almost 100 times.(lost count after 70) The only lead singer I never saw was Rick Stevens. and speaking of lead singers, I heard that Marcus Scott is no longer in the band and if so was wondering why? I know he came out with a solo album.
Again, great interview and looking forward to the rest in the series. I met Huey once, truly a down to earth guy and a class act.
Too bad about his struggle with Meniere's. RIP Rocco
I'm 65 years old I seen them so many times I got all mine tickets from all there shows 👍👍🎺🎷
@@tonyallen6510 I don't have my tickets, but one show,(it cost $6.00) they opened for Santana, then Carlos played and then the horn section joined them on stage. Those were the days!
I'd say I've had the pleasure of seeing them at least 200 times,never a full moment,always a super show.
I've been a die-hard TOP fan for most of my life. But I was exposed to TOP through their work with Huey Lewis in the 80s!
FAN SINCE 1975 LOVE THE MUSIC 🎶 LOVE THE BAND HORNS SECOND TO NONE
I will always LOVE the Tower of Power. I'm from the Bay area, Newark and Union City, California, Decoto! is the hood. I watched these guys grow up and morph into the Baddest Mo-Fos ever.
I sometimes heart ache over them, I'm a drummer, Dave Garibaldi was my Master Drummer and still is to this day ! I can't tell you how many dives, fairs, bars, and concerts I've attended just to see these guys.
My biggest dream -bucket list dream and perhaps regret is not playing with Tower of Power. I live in Bakersfield, Ca. I hear Dave comes here to ride his mountain bike with other long riders
because we have lots of challenging hills, people train here. I friend of mine met Dave and bought some high-hats from him, I almost cried with pain I missed meeting him.
I did meet The Godfather, James Brown ! we hung out for a bit in Sacramento, Ca. He was so Kool and Awesome, He called me Bro John, That was a fun couple of days. !! But meeting Emilio, Doc, Rocco, and Dave would be a LIFE's "Dream come true" I remember them as young skinny dudes ! especially Doc ! Long hair -White t-shirts and skinny, lol! Mimi in his burgundy Red suits.
Lenny with an afro ! hahaha! my heart aches just thinking about it! Mick Gillette who was with "Cold Blood", God bless his soul.. , Hey guys if you ever read this, email me at :john@felsenthal.com it would be the thrill of my lifetime, I could die a happy man.
I've seen you guys from all over the California. and I will see you again. You guys are the Baddest Funkiest Band in the whole world ! ! Unmatchable!
went to the ToP show last night . great sound . my fav band along with AWB . they were great. ~ JDS/CT. ( 3-12-22 )
Now that's what I'm talking about,.....Epic band, epic, I'm still diggin on TOP. Thanks for this interview @Rock History Music. Loving it/
Love it!! T.O.P. with Huey Lewis.... Real music!! Both are great bands but when they started recording together, there was a sonic shift back to real music!!
I love stories of artists and bands helping each other, and working together! You can "feel the love"!!
Great interview. I grew up on TOP. Now Yoyoka Soma is covering what is hip and bringing new fans on board. She is the drum prodigy from Japan. If you have not seen her cover videos on you tube you need to check her out. Her little brother Shido is a bad ass little drummer too.
I'd love to hear Huey sing "Don't Change Horses" 💜
Simple As That on the Fore album.
The few times I saw the TOP Horns with Huey and the News, they would do 3-4 TOP songs. Those were usually What is Hip, So Very Hard To Go, You’re Still A Young Man, and This Time Is Real. Some fans here can probably recall others, but for sure, Huey sang those 4 with his band The News and the TOP Horns. My wife and I would joke that Hueys favorite TOP album, is pretty much everyone else’s favorite TOP album. The Warner Bros Album title “Tower Of Power.” Their best seller, with the most singles.
Man, I wish there were some recordings of Huey singing "You're Still a Young Man!"
There are actually some of em.
This one is from 1984, featuring the TOP horns. And Huey sings his ass off: th-cam.com/video/uP-Ef0-u1A4/w-d-xo.html
@@christosstamato527 Oh wow, great find! Thanks!
Love this band!
Looking forward to the new LIVE album!🤘🙏
A fan of TOP since the 70's.
Long before Hewy .
The best kick ass band's of all time.
PS : On Little Feat Waiting For Columbus album , fantastic !
Thank you Huey!
Another reason why Huey and the News belong in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame. I don't think the critics understand what a great band they were. They pretty much created and produced Sports on their own, without any meddling from the Execs.
Saw them with Huey Lewis at universal studios in the ‘80s
Wow, great interview.
One of the reasons TOP has had such success is Emilio's great personality. People seem to take a liking to him quickly, and he knows how to create relationships and keep them working.
WoW! Just listened to a few cuts from the album. Some of the tightest music I have ever heard. And I've heard a lot in the last 60 years. These guys sound even better, much better than I remember!!!! Thank you for this reminder.
Great Band. David Garibaldi funk legend
Don't forget ROCCO !
R. I. P. ROCCO .
That was awesome! Great interviews!
I saw part of this concert on PBS. Fantastic! Say hi to a new TOP fan.
Great interviews! Nice background info on Huey and their history. Way back when there were lots of extended tunes made for FM radio. Tower recorded one of the all time classics, don't think it's well known today, but check out "Sparkling in the Sand". So filled with emotion and a relaxing vibe. Unique tune!
From the album that started it all “East Bay Grease.”
One of the best!
A newfound family friend back in the day in San Fran made me a mixtape for my drive back to Texas and that and a couple of other TOP songs were on it.
When "Sparkling in the Sand" came in, I went, "Whoa!!..." I pretty much wore out that cassette replaying that song over and over (especially that signature passage where the long-held trumpet note morphs into a flute!).
Made me a fan for life.
Got to love Amilio, Doc and Garibaldi… and of course the whole band! God bless you brothers!
You need to track down the Tower Of Power 40th anniversary show here on TH-cam. Incredible.
KICKS ASS !
A GREAT band!!
The gist of the story is: TOP made the transition into highlighting the Tower of Power Horn Section as a sideline. This is something Chicago wouldn’t do, though Jimmy Pankow’s arrangements are everywhere. Think Rosanna for instance. All the bands that I considered “Big Band Rock”, that is, led by horns, went by the wayside.
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, are still out there, with their Blues, R&B, rock thing. I saw them about 8 years ago, and those cats can still swing. The horn players in that band, also do a fair amount of side work. When I saw them, Maceo, came out of the audience and did a few JB numbers with them. Great fun.
Always liked Tower of Power since the early 70s but I had no idea Huey Lewis was as solid a guy as he is and it makes his current status more heartbreaking. Two great bands helping each other, that's wonderful.
I think it was through the Huey Lewis records that I first heard about Tower of Power.
Great job, John! It's also settled a point that Bobby Vega raised with me in an interview a few years ago...and that interview has just put it all to rights. Thank you!
Keep up the great work John Beaudin! I really enjoy your interviews with all of these great long-time almost forgotten wonderful artists. You definitely need to do a new interview with Mark Farner when you get a chance. I heard he has a new live dvd coming out in April. Take care & stay safe & keep up the wonderful work John Beaudin. I really appreciate it my friend.
I luv these guys on workin for a living!
The Oaktown Bruddas. Thank you for the latest Scoop Sir.
"And you just heard The News" which Huey would say after each concert show.
killer interview....
really good interview. thank you.
King Crimson and Tower of Power are the top 2 bands ever in my book.
Excellent
Superb
I saw that show at magic mountain
Tower of Power and Average White Band is still the loudest concert I've ever attended. My ears rang for days.
Loud sure, but most importantly- the two TIGHTEST bands I’ve ever heard live. My ears were in heaven for days.
Lee Michael's made mine ring at Winterland Arena in San Francisco.
@@robertdowler3347 Yeah, I saw Lee in the early days. He was great fun, just he and Frosty. Definitely was in to this idea of being Hendrix on the Hammond. He had lots of muscle when he played live.
“I can take about an hour on the tower of power”
Frank Zappa if I'm not mistaken?
Zappa. Bobby Brown. TOP deserve a better citation than that.
@@roblawhorne1015 Yeah, I thought it was from Bobby Brown
....I'm not sure that's about TOP the band...I've always assumed otherwise, given the rest of the lyrics.
I have seen them so many times there are sill the best horns section ever they are pure horn funk 👍👍👍👍👍🎷🎺🎺🎷
🧡