Tower of Power on Tour

When Tower of Power took the stage at The Fillmore in San Francisco for their 40th anniversary show in 2008, it was as full circle as live music moments get. A recorded introduction by the dearly departed, legendary promoter Bill Graham — who gave the band their big break and signed them to his label in the late ’60s — kicked off the energetic musical explosion that Tower of Power have never stopped bringing to the stage. The Tower of Power five-piece horn section, led by founding members Emilio Castillo on tenor sax and Stephen “Doc” Kupka on baritone sax, has been the driving force behind a group with over 60 touring members in its history. The R&B funk and soul revue also features furious percussionists, guitar, keys and more vocal blends than you can imagine. The elite collection of musicians have never stopped touring, and whether at a casino theater or a classic concert hall, a Tower of Power show is always gonna be a kickin’ good time. Their Oakland-born sound emerged in 1968, and even after 50 years their shows still manage to feel contemporary.

Tower of Power in Concert

In 1968, Oakland’s Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka formed a band with the goal of playing at San Francisco’s iconic Fillmore theater. By 1970, Tower of Power were not only on the stage, but signed to Bill Graham’s San Francisco Records for their debut album East Bay Grease. When they moved over to Warner Bros Records in 1972, they started to leave a timeless mark beyond the Bay Area with the release of now-classic albums — Bump City, Tower of Power, Urban Renewal and more. Throughout their 19 albums, including 2018’s Soul Side of Town, the band have covered every inch of R&B, soul and funk, constantly evolving and paving the way for many other artists.