How to Hire TOWER OF POWER For Your Event!
Kings of West Coast Funk
#1. How do I book Tower of Power? See below.
#2. How much does it cost to book Tower of Power? See below.
#3. What is the Tower of Power booking fee? See below.
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Although less frequently requested, the following might be considered, also.
- A non-performance personal appearance.
An example would be to hire a celebrity to attend a private or corporate party as simply a (non-performing) guest to mingle with other guests, or to hire the celebrity to do a meet-and-greet at your party.
- A virtual performance.
A virtual performance is a live or recorded show—such as a concert, play, dance, comedy act, or other artistic presentation—that is broadcast or streamed online instead of being performed in front of a physical audience. Artists perform live from a studio, venue, or even their homes and stream the show on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Instagram Live. Essentially, a virtual performance brings entertainment to audiences through the internet rather than in-person venues.
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The Tower of Power Biography
Booking the Tower of Power
Formed in 1968
Formed in California
Based in California
Based in Oakland
Hire the Tower of Power
aka ToP
Members:
Emilio Castillo, Stephen ‘Doc’ Kupka, Adolfo Acosta, Tom E. Politzer, Jerry Cortez, Marc van Wageningen, and more.
Legendary Funk and Soul Band for Unforgettable Live Entertainment
Few bands in American music history have delivered the same level of precision, energy, and longevity as Tower of Power. Known worldwide for their explosive horn section, deep funk grooves, and electrifying live performances, Tower of Power has remained a staple in the music industry for more than five decades. Their timeless sound continues to influence generations of musicians while captivating audiences at festivals, theaters, casinos, corporate events, and private celebrations.
For talent buyers and event planners seeking a legendary live act capable of energizing audiences of all ages, Tower of Power offers a high-impact performance experience rooted in musical excellence and crowd engagement.
The Origins of Tower of Power
Tower of Power was formed in Oakland, California, in 1968 by Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka. Originally inspired by the vibrant soul and funk movement emerging from the West Coast, the group quickly established a unique identity through tight arrangements, dynamic rhythms, and a powerful brass-driven sound.
The band initially performed under the name The Motowns before transitioning to Tower of Power, a title that perfectly reflected their commanding stage presence and explosive musical style. Their early performances in the San Francisco Bay Area helped them gain a loyal following and paved the way for national recognition.
Rise to Fame and Breakthrough Success
Tower of Power achieved major commercial success during the 1970s with a series of acclaimed albums and hit singles that blended funk, soul, jazz, and R&B influences. Songs like “What Is Hip?,” “So Very Hard to Go,” “You’re Still a Young Man,” and “Down to the Nightclub” became defining records of the era.
Their signature horn arrangements became one of the most recognizable sounds in popular music. Tower of Power’s horn section eventually became so respected that members performed and recorded with legendary artists across multiple genres, further elevating the band’s reputation within the music industry.
Their music continues to receive airplay on classic soul, funk, and old-school radio stations, while their catalog remains influential among modern funk and jam-band audiences.
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Tower of Power’s Signature Sound
One of the defining characteristics of Tower of Power is their world-famous horn section. Combining intricate arrangements with explosive delivery, the group developed a style that became instantly identifiable and highly influential.
Their music blends:
- Funk grooves
- Soul vocals
- Jazz-inspired instrumentation
- Tight rhythmic precision
- High-energy live improvisation
This combination creates a live concert experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Tower of Power performances appeal to longtime fans of classic funk while also connecting with younger audiences discovering the genre for the first time.
Why Tower of Power Is a Strong Choice for Live Events
Booking Tower of Power brings instant credibility and excitement to an event lineup. Their reputation as one of the greatest live funk and soul bands ever assembled makes them a valuable attraction for promoters, festivals, and private entertainment buyers.
Key benefits of booking Tower of Power include:
- Multi-generational audience appeal
- Legendary status in funk and soul music
- Exceptional live musicianship
- High-energy performances that keep audiences engaged
- Extensive catalog of recognizable songs
- Professional touring experience
- Ideal fit for theaters, festivals, casinos, and corporate entertainment
Because of their polished stage production and elite musicianship, Tower of Power consistently delivers memorable performances that elevate the overall event experience.
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A Touring Legacy Built on Consistency
Unlike many classic bands that slow down over time, Tower of Power has maintained an active touring schedule and continues to perform for audiences around the world. Their live shows remain known for precision, passion, and nonstop energy.
The band’s longevity speaks to both their musical talent and their ability to evolve while preserving the classic sound fans expect. Their concerts regularly attract devoted fans, music enthusiasts, and industry professionals who appreciate world-class live performance.
Tower of Power’s continued relevance in modern live entertainment demonstrates the enduring power of authentic funk and soul music.
Influence on Modern Music
Tower of Power has influenced countless artists in funk, soul, jazz, rock, and pop music. Their horn arrangements and rhythm section techniques have become essential reference points for musicians worldwide.
Over the years, members of Tower of Power have collaborated with major recording artists and contributed to numerous studio projects, helping shape the sound of contemporary music far beyond the band’s own recordings.
Their influence can still be heard in modern funk revival acts, jam bands, brass ensembles, and contemporary R&B productions.
Why Audiences Continue to Love Tower of Power
Fans continue to gravitate toward Tower of Power because their music creates an authentic emotional and physical connection. Their performances encourage audiences to dance, sing along, and fully engage with the live experience.
The band’s timeless grooves, powerful vocals, and unforgettable horn lines make every performance feel celebratory and immersive. Whether appearing at a major music festival or an exclusive private event, Tower of Power consistently creates a vibrant atmosphere that leaves lasting impressions.
Tower of Power Remains a Premier Live Funk Experience
Tower of Power stands as one of the most respected and enduring funk bands in music history. Their legendary horn section, timeless catalog, and unmatched live energy continue to make them a premier booking choice for entertainment buyers worldwide.
For organizations seeking a proven live act with musical excellence, broad audience appeal, and decades of performance credibility, Tower of Power delivers a dynamic concert experience that continues to resonate across generations.
With more than 40 years of recording and touring experience behind them, Tower of Power still garners reviews calling them a “very contemporary-sounding band.” Melding jazz, funk, rock, and soul in a way no other group ever has, the ten-piece outfit is, as a Hollywood Reporter review called them, “tighter than a clenched fist.”
Well-known in the 70’s for tunes like “What is Hip” and “You’re Still A Young Man,” Tower of Power toured with Sly Stone and Creedence Clearwater Revival, creating traffic jams when they started to headline their own shows. They played on records with the likes of Elton John, Smokey Robinson, Rod Stewart, and Dionne Warwick, and influenced a generation of musicians (including Sting, who has told Emilio Castillo, founder of the group, that he once had a “Tower of Power clone band” before he formed The Police.) Then, in the late 1970s, Tower of Power quietly disappeared from sight.Now, Tower of Power is experiencing a renaissance, touring most of every year and packing venues in the U.S., Japan, and all over Europe with its audience of new and old fans.
It has been a long, hard road, but things just keep getting better and better. It has always been difficult to describe ToP’s music; even band members, when asked, give myriad responses. Says founding member and saxophonist Emilio Castillo, “What Tower plays is urban soul music.” Lead singer Brent Carter calls it “old school funk with new school flavor.” And says former Tower saxophonist Lenny Pickett, now musical director for the “Saturday Night Live” television band, “ToP is the world’s greatest rhythm and blues band.”
In reality, Tower of Power‘s horn-driven, in-your-face sound is all its own, and verbal descriptions fail. You have to experience it for yourself, and then, as Tower fans say, “seein’ is believin’.”
Hire Tower of Power for your special event or occasion!
Band leader Castillo, whose heritage is half-Mexican and half-Greek, was born in Detroit, then moved with his family to a working-class neighborhood in the San Francisco Bay Area’s Fremont, a place he calls a “hot rod town.” There, at 17, he formed a band called The Motowns, performing obscure soul tunes on the East Bay circuit. In 1968, Castillo hooked up with baritone saxophonist Stephen “The Funky Doctor” Kupka. The two moved to a house in the Oakland ghetto, determined to compete with the Bay Area’s reigning psychedelic rock bands. He changed the group’s name to Tower of Power and discarded the sharkskin suits and razor-cut hairdos, but kept the sound and began writing original material with Kupka.
“Doc was the strangest bird I’d ever met,” Castillo recalls. “He loved soul music, and that was my passion…we just clicked immediately.” Out of their partnership came the beginnings of the Tower of Power repertoire. The first song the pair penned together was the band’s signature classic, “You’re Still a Young Man.” The group was soon a fixture in the legendary Bill Graham’s San Francisco Records.
The rest is history, from “What is Hip?” to “Don’t Change Horses (In the Middle of the Stream)” to “Soul Vaccination.” The Tower went through a down period in the early 1980s but never broke up. In 1991, the ToP group made its first record for Epic/Sony, titled “Monster on a Leash,” followed by 1993’s “T.O.P.” and in 1995, “Souled Out.”
When not in the studio, the band tours constantly, crisscrossing the world, selling out shows at venues from rock halls and theaters to sheds and giant festivals. Staunch fans travel miles and hours to see them; some of those fans plan their vacations to coincide with Tower performances. As if that wasn’t enough, in between all those tour dates, the Tower of Power Horn Section has somehow found the time to guest on recordings for a very diverse group of artists, from Michael Bolton to Phish.
Over the years, Tower of Power has added new members and a fresh outlook, but the band has always remained true to itself and to its soul music roots, never failing to please audiences. As a reviewer from the “Fort Worth Star Telegram” wrote, “If you see someone sitting still at a Tower of Power concert, don’t bother checking their pulse – they’re already dead!”
Hits include:
- So Very Hard to Go
- Drop It in The Slot
- Don’t Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream)
- This time, It’s Real
- Time Will Tell
- What Is Hip?
- You’re So Wonderful, So Marvelous
- Rock Baby
- You Ought to Be Havin’ Fun
- Down To the Nightclub
- Willing To Learn
- Only So Much Oil in the Ground
- Ain’t Nothin’ Stoppin’ Us Now
- Lovin’ You Is Gonna See Me Thru
What others say —
- “When It comes to straight-up R&B, no band kicks it like Tower of Power” – Ray Charles
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More biographical information: Wikipedia
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