Tower of Power’s energy still pulsates
Tower of Power have a catalog stretching nearly 50 years. Aside from lineup changes, the sonic feel of the California-based musical collective is nearly identical through each decade. According to saxophonist Emilio Castillo, that’s just the nature of the band.
“When people say, ‘You sound like yourself always,’ I don’t think that’s a credit to us so much as we can’t help it,” says Castillo, 66.
Since 1968, Tower of Power have toured with horn-and-rhythm based rock. With a new album on the way this year, the group is hitting Orlando’s Plaza Live on Friday.
The band rose to prominence along with other brass-centric R&B outfits, such as Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Tower of Power scored several hits in the ’70s, including “You’re Still a Young Man,” “So Very Hard to Go” and “What’s Hip?”
Through the years, producers have tried to bring the band more in line with the times, says Castillo. “Through our ups and downs in our career, we have been urged to sound like other people,” he says. “When everything dried up for us, I told the guys, ‘Look, let’s just make the music how we want to make it.’ ”
Fans kept coming to see them, which is how Castillo knows his philosophy was the right direction. “We learned it wasn’t a curse that we don’t sound like anyone else; it’s a blessing.”
More than 60 musicians have performed or recorded with Tower of Power, including vocalist Lenny Williams and “Saturday Night Live” musical director Lenny Pickett. Only Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka and Francis “Rocco” Prestia remain from the original lineup. But that core group has continued writing, playing and recording the whole time. “We’re always making new music, whether we have a record deal or not,” says Castillo.
Of course, plenty has changed through the years. For example, Castillo says Tower of Power used to rehearse their songs and play them live for months before they ever went into a studio. “You can’t do that now because as soon as you play a new song today, it’s on YouTube by the time you get back to the hotel,” he says.
Castillo notes that technological changes in the studio have helped make recording easier, but he doesn’t let it drive their writing process. “One of the things I learned over the years from [rock star] Huey Lewis is use all the technology, but use it, don’t let it use you,” he says.
Fans coming to see Tower of Power these days can expect the same high-energy they have delivered for years, says Castillo, though he expects the audience to do its part. “It’s really a team effort,” he says. “It’s way, way easier to give your best when the audience is giving you its best.”
Tower of Power will take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $39.50-$69.50, on sale at plazalive.org.