Tower of Power

Part of the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun, each concert lasts approximately 90 minutes and begins at 7:30 p.m. Tonight's concert is the Tower of Power, a 10 member horn-based soul band. Their website states that no matter who you are, where you live, or your taste in music, Tower of Power will find you, inspire you and move you. The truest testament to Tower of Power remains the band's formidable concert appearances. Stand in front of the stage at their show and bathe in the sonic blast of brass and funk. "Tighter than a clenched fist," says The Hollywood Reporter, and The Fresno Bee has said "the band members let loose with an energy-filled show that [leaves] a sell-out crowd on its feet, dancing in the aisles and applauding with feeling for a band it's loved for more than 30 years."

Details About The Venue

Tower of Power has remained active through the years, and still tours extensively and worldwide today. Naturally, there have been personnel changes, and at least 60 musicians have been touring and/or recording members of the group through its now nearly 40 year tenure as a funk and soul band. Tower of Power has released 18 albums over the years and in addition to their horn section, they have become well known as a back up unit for other artists. Their horn section has appeared on many other recordings including Santana, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Huey Lewis and the News, and Aerosmith, to name a few.  Tower’s early song, “So Very Hard To Go” was featured in the soundtrack of the 2002 film City of God.  The Tower of Power horns’ most notable touring was as part of the pop group “Huey Lewis and The News”, during the mid-80’s. Most recently, Tower of Power has been featured on Josh Groban’s Awake album, during an instrumental break in “Machine.”

With almost 40 years of recording and touring experience, Tower of Power has been making albums and touring steadily since the 1970’s, in addition to backing up countless other musicians. This funky soul group was formed in 1967 in Oakland, California, and was originally known as Motown’s Soul Band.  The group’s leader since the beginning has always been tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo. Castillo put together a group called the Motowns and the group specialized in 60s era soul.  Eventually the group teamed up with baritone sax player Stephen “Doc” Kupka. The Motowns changed into Tower of Power.  In June of 2004, The California Music Association inducted Tower of Power with a Lifetime Achievement Award and cited their 2003 Sony Legacy anthology Havin’ Fun as the Soul/R&B album of the Year.  Recently, Tower of Power has added new members and a fresh outlook, but the band has always remained true to its soul music roots, never failing to please audiences.

 

Thursday: August 21, 2008 - 6:30 pm

Location & Directions

Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) Forum
2901 East Hastings Street at the outdoor Amphitheatre
Vancouver, British Columbia V5K 5J1