Early clip of TOP from before they were born.... Lenny Williams on vocal - with Lenny Pickett (tenor sax) .... in a white suit ....dancing ....
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@Sangria3 Жыл бұрын
Anyone who slept on Lenny Williams, Tower of Power and this song must have been sleeping under a rock. They were AMAZING. I am still listening to them in 2023. BRAVO!!!
@cessaly100Ай бұрын
Me TOO! Since 1973 Washington DC
@Houndzee2 күн бұрын
I was listening last weekend. Amazing
@markanderson6707 Жыл бұрын
It was about this time (73) that I saw TOP opening for Rod Stewart. What a show that was. Poor Rod, that was a tough act to follow
@melodysanger1034 жыл бұрын
Remembering Brass Player Mic Gillette (May 7, 1951 - January 17, 2016) [05/07/2020]
@dadduorp14 жыл бұрын
This is like James Brown's backup band on steroids. Can you imagine being in a small club hearing this? I'd be breathless! Kudos to the cameramen for excellent angles at just the right times -- unlike some of the crap you see on DVDs nowadays of live performances -- shots of drummer's feet while the guitarist solos, audience pans while the singer's peaking...
@lvperalta16 жыл бұрын
the era of the two Lennies, this is the tightest line-up ever!
@garycook53472 ай бұрын
T O P were & are RUFF TUFF & hard to BLUFF _/) & they're STILL ALL YOUNG MEN in spirit & musically for sure over 50 years later_/)
@eightapeach286110 жыл бұрын
Lenny Williams the best vocalist ever in this band!
@13towerofpower10 жыл бұрын
súhlas a úspešný bol aj ako solový spevák v rebríčku R and B mal od roku 1975 do roku 1995 celkom 19 piesni. Najväčším hitom bola v oktobri 1978 Midnight Girl na 20.m., ktorá skončila v Billboarde na 102.m.
@Debwms594 жыл бұрын
Yep, thats what the record sales indicate too! :). Best selling albums were with LW
@robertboney44933 жыл бұрын
That's right. He was hipper than hip!
@williammitchell18043 жыл бұрын
This band needed a vocalist that projected emotion. His singing voice has a certain urgency to it. It fits this mixture of Jazz, R&B, and Funk perfectly. They had a lot of hits together. The band is jamming and they are doing "Call and response" with Lenny. Lenny Williams is walking back and forth on the stage and singing like he is preaching. When you see the audience is getting into it, you know they are doing something special.
@eliazardelugo94673 жыл бұрын
Emilio...on his own words...say it was Rick Stevens...
@rocketman1122111 жыл бұрын
AWESOME!!!!!! Brings back so much memories. . . TOWER of POWER, WAR, EWF, OHIO PLAYERS, COMMODORES, AVERAGE WHITE BAND . . . . when music was music and all was "HIP"!!!!!! :) DAMN. . the music of the 70s . . . .. was definitely hip :)
@Nanbebe712 жыл бұрын
Tower Power was one of the greatest bands in the 70s and today. They should have had more recognition. I love these guys they are bad!!!
@e37a11 жыл бұрын
Almost 50 years and they're STILL tearing shit up!!! baddest horns on the planet!!!!!
@roseblake58034 жыл бұрын
Saw TOP live. I can tell you no one could out dance LENNY PICKETT. He was absolutely amazing as well as his sax playing.
@robertboney44933 жыл бұрын
Lively band!
@rolanbrazier11 жыл бұрын
This is Tru Funk, The Grit. Chester Thompson, Garrabaldi is the funkiest Drummer of all time. Roco, what can I say? Bass Player of the Year more than once. Everyone uses the Horn Section. From Santana to Hornsby. School Trained Lenny Williams. Willie Fulton on Guitar. Outstanding. Even Rick Stevens. Real Music.
@juanmitbol13 жыл бұрын
I used to see these guys at a dive called the On Broadway in Oakland in 71-72, monday nights for a ONE DOLLAR cover! Rick Stevens had just joined as the singer, Skip Mesquite was lead tenor, they were killer then now, it was heaven to see them up close in a small club. Now I can't even stay up that late!
@Jugivadi4 жыл бұрын
I was amazed to see that the Lenny Pickett from Saturday Night Live, is the same Lenny Pickett in TOP.
@IMCcanTWEESTED3 жыл бұрын
And he can still do the Pickett Dance at 66 years of age;
@01birdman15 жыл бұрын
This was and is the greatest BAND every to assemble. Every member of this particular set is genius.
@darrickmalloy6909 Жыл бұрын
Do you really think so? I have seen some tough bands out there especially during the 60s and early 70s. JB had some tight bands man
@darrickmalloy6909 Жыл бұрын
But a genius at every position my starting 5 would have to be Led Zeppelin. Respect!
@01birdman Жыл бұрын
You are right but there isn’t any horn section as tight as TOP
@darnellwebb76094 жыл бұрын
The tower of power one of the best diverse groups of the 70s with a great horn section and a great brother named Lenny Williams on lead vocalist Lenny is Arkansas boy and he can say what is hip
@alanroberts79164 жыл бұрын
They were so very far ahead of their time. Glad I had such great taste in music for 13 years old. And for one great radio station that played it before it became HIP!!!
@bassistdc Жыл бұрын
The Great Lenny Williams with the Great Tower of Power!
@my81lowrider10 жыл бұрын
Great music in the East Bay in the 70's; Tower of Power,Sly Stone, Pete, Coke & Sheila Escovedo, Pride and Joy, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood. All playing in small clubs. The East Bay music scene was every bit as good as San Francisco's and way funkier
10 жыл бұрын
Dont Forget Mike Clarke & Paul Jackson from Herbie Hancock's Headhunters
@craigaustin389110 жыл бұрын
Don't forget Graham Central Station.
@Sconniebaggerjim23 жыл бұрын
Yes. The TOWN Abides!
@ondabayou1116 жыл бұрын
U N B E L I E V B L E !!! Absolutely the greatest "horn band" of all time. What a killer bunch of musicians. They were so awesome with Lenny Williams as lead vocalist. I mean, some of the other singers kept the torch burning, but no one could hang with Lenny.
@raggityman9 жыл бұрын
This was the best rhythm section: Chester Thompson (organ), Rocco Prestia (bass), David Garibaldi (drums), and Bruce Conte (guitar)!
@chungiemunchin14 жыл бұрын
No matter how many times I hear this song done by Tower of Power, I get chills everytime I listen to them do this song.
@momasnetwork11 жыл бұрын
Ladies and Gentlemen from Oakland, California please welcome The Tower of Power.... up next Graham Central Station, Sly & The Family Stone, Pete Escovedo, The Pointer Sisters.... Whats you ideal concert up to 6 acts
@Pilot60414 жыл бұрын
OMG thats the line-up I remember as a kid! Picket on the sax, Rocco and David, Chester, Mic, Greg, Doc, and Lenny!! Lady's and gentlemen, that's what funk is all about!
@actism16 жыл бұрын
Today, they sound just as good 34 years later! No joke! If you haven't experienced T.O.P live - you need to. Happy Silver Anniversary T.O.P!
@mqblues15 жыл бұрын
Great rythm section and horns and keys and vocals --- all working together. This is a band!
@Nupeman197214 жыл бұрын
One of the greatest bands of all time !!!!!!
@biggdaddyd9660 Жыл бұрын
Just saw TOP tonight in Monterey...13-Jan-2022. Still trying figure out What Is Hip...after all these years. Great band then...great band now.
@garryla539 жыл бұрын
Chester Thompson on Hammond B-3...WOW!!!!
@1lapena15 жыл бұрын
damn right !!! this is real musicianship at its best !!! this is what real funk is all about !!!
@musicteacherengel16 жыл бұрын
I never knew Lenny Pickett danced around so much! WOW! This is, in my opinion, the best Tower of Power lineup ever. (Still, I'm glad TOP is still up and strong making great music.)
@peterhesse523211 жыл бұрын
This is the REAL TOP ! Lenny Williams was their BEST vocalist !
@partidoalto113 жыл бұрын
Bad ass tune! Rocco Prestia's bass line is dope! One of Jaco's big influences. This band is still one of the funkiest band ever. Garibaldi funk is real!
@rastas0313 жыл бұрын
if you can listen to this and sit still your soul is truly dead.
@philinthesouth15 жыл бұрын
bloody hell guys...got this on vinyl from 73....what a band...made my new year to see this....Happy New Year to everyone!!!!
@Perfection_NV Жыл бұрын
Grew up listening to my dad jamming TofP . Taking my mom to a concert tomorrow. Introducing my son to them now ❤
@robertboney44933 жыл бұрын
Great tune, great musicians!
@estlacksensory11 жыл бұрын
Didn't know this song was this old. These musicians are totally badass. Rocco is easily one of my favorite bassists.
@oldham4214 жыл бұрын
I just saw TOP last night, and they're still tighter than a clenched fist, i can say that much. Even though i think only 3 of the original members are left, they're just as good as back in the day. They blew me away.
@Nachtopus10 жыл бұрын
Our High School Jazz Band is playing this song and it's GREAT.
@hannibaltharadio15 жыл бұрын
this was wihtout a doubt one of my favorite songs of my high school days... My first concert was Tower of Power and Herbie Hancock at the El Cortez in San Diego.... The experience shaped my decision to be in the industry.....
@carolripani12 жыл бұрын
The tower is overdosing on talent. Each individual is so damn awesome. It's truly one of the greatest bands ever. Late 60's early 70's can only be described as WHAT IS HIP💗🎵
@anthonydestefano135411 ай бұрын
Lenny WIlliams WAS the voice of TOP it has been a struggle since to recapture his dominance
@leonardbrown2219Ай бұрын
Rick Stevens was.Lenny replaced him after he went to jail
@kik2it9 жыл бұрын
This Tower Of Power lineup was my favorite, straight Fire!!!!!!!
@victorscena43228 жыл бұрын
What can I say , these dudes are the tightest band ever to hit the stage. Lenny great vocal lead. So much talent in one group. Never ever to be duplicated. Dr. Doo Wop
@capedcrusader73013 жыл бұрын
u can not move forward. unless u know where YOUR REAL MUSIC CAME FROM. STUDY, LEARN LISTEN! then LOVE IT,MAKE IT & then SHARE IT. go back 30yrs. 40, 50,60yrs.. See where real music came from. you might really enjoy it. U HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.
@biggmayne113 жыл бұрын
I heard this song for the first time yesterday in my Jazz Band class in college and I love it! I'm going to try to sing this. Wish me luck!
@lunastrat14 жыл бұрын
We used to do What is Hip in a ten piece horn band I was in. (I played guitar) Getting close to this level of tightness was a struggle and a pleasure. They're so good, and they make it look so easy.....WOW
@uedaniels14 жыл бұрын
wow, you hear the bass drop at 2:20 lenny rocks the crowd? SPLENDID..
@netchemab16 жыл бұрын
Bruce Conte, Rocco P, Lenny williams, Lenny Pickett, Chester T. and the rest....the REAL TOP! Thanx 4 posting
@juliaburke79725 жыл бұрын
Great dancin party sounds ! We luved TowerofPower back in the eariy 70's. They played everywhere in No.Cali. Hip, yes it is......
@JACKMETZ5 ай бұрын
Best Band ever.
@AJ516613 жыл бұрын
Lenny Williams on vocals, David Garibaldi on Drums, and Chester Thompson on organ.... This is my favorite TOP lineup!
@oldschoolruler16 жыл бұрын
I saw them in Kansas City, MO in summer 1974 at the Kool Jazz Festival at Royals Stadium. Had thousands in the aisles bumpin' to Squib Cakes...AWESOME!!!
@kpec310 жыл бұрын
Tower of Power are the quintessential masters of funk/soul. It's so rare when you can get all these really ultra-talented musicians together on the same stage like this. When you go to local bars, the "original" bands and singer/songwriters usually display a very minimal amount of talent, just enough so that their non-musician friends really think they're something special. It kind of sucks that we are trapped in this American Idol culture where people tote a guitar on stage and stop playing their G, C and D chords 1/3 of the way through their song...and nobody cares. The standards in pop music couldn't get any lower.
@eightapeach28619 жыл бұрын
I totally agree with you!
@kpec39 жыл бұрын
eighta peach Yes thank you...The talent is hyper-focused on young, good looking hotties who can only sing. Record companies match them up with a team of producers and musicians and out comes the product, much like a bowel movement, no one really knows outside how the result is created.
@kpec39 жыл бұрын
OK I don't know if that is worth sharing or not, but anyway, they always told me if I couldn't make it by age 30, forget it. But you know, anybody who really cares about interesting, creative music doesn't become a pop star anyway. Rock is marginal, and country is the new rock, nobody cares about classic or 80s anymore. So we're left with Ariana Grande. Blah... She's just as good with mute on the TV set.
@ndpGAMES15 жыл бұрын
I love playing this song in pep band at my school. im always able to blow my brains out on it. it sounds so awesome!
@liamdmac13 жыл бұрын
These cats have been around since the late sixties. Originally know nas The Motowns. Used to see them every six months at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento. NOBODY does East Bay Funk better than T.O.P.!!!
@chinkadero12 жыл бұрын
This is Funkier in the first 15 seconds than anything I've heard in thirty years. Mum believable :''''))))
@jimraw114 жыл бұрын
Lenny Braggs has been the vocalist for the past ten years. If you want to hear how good a vocalist he is, find Tower of Power National Anthem - one of the best renditions you'll ever hear. Yeah Rick had that great raspy sound, but my favorite is still Lenny Williams.
@1fredbush11 жыл бұрын
I was in the USC Trojan Marching Band and we played with these guys in the 1974 Rose Bowl game. What a great time we had, especially during preparations.
@Leeahtee2 ай бұрын
Thank god for funky music!
@lyslinger16 жыл бұрын
classic top line-up the most underated band ever. killer horn section. great find thx.
@squeekydoor14 жыл бұрын
just heard these guys at bbking blues lounge and it was the concert of a lifetime
@rebeltuba9422 Жыл бұрын
Possibly the greatest, most consistent live band of all time. They're just on another level from everyone else.
@rondafultz434310 жыл бұрын
My very first concert I attended, was Tower of Power. I love you guy's .
@marktele806110 жыл бұрын
My 1st concert also. East Bay Grease had just been released. I've probably seen them 30x since.
@rondafultz434310 жыл бұрын
Nice, I saw them at Monterey Fair grounds. I was just 13 yrs. I remember getting a good look at Rick Stevens at front stage. I was really upset that he left. 😕
@13towerofpower10 жыл бұрын
Ronda Fultz Skupina sa s nim rozišla pre drogovú závislosť a neskôr bol odsúdený za vraždu priekupníka s drogami.....na albume EAST BAY GREASE spieval solo v 9 minútovej piesni Sparkling in The Sand v ostatných piatich bol solovým spevákom Rufus Miller. Na albume hral na tenor saxofone Skip Mesquite, ktorý zomrel v roku 2010.
@mrqb28339 жыл бұрын
The amount of envy !!! Love this chart so much
@tomelwich4914 жыл бұрын
You could NOT get Mick Gillett to dress but that bone and trumpet! This lineup is on a MISSION!
@loriloristuff14 жыл бұрын
Made me feel as if I still had my platforms!
@phira3608 жыл бұрын
that bass is crazy
@jplew1386 жыл бұрын
Francis Rocco Prestia was a BAD MAN!!
@robertboney44933 жыл бұрын
crazy? How about good!!
@Quintessentguy14 жыл бұрын
I saw Tower in this incarnation, as a Bay Area native, I have been digging them since 1969. How great to see this, it takes me back to those early days, and thank God they have David Garibaldi back on the drums for the last few years. Tower still rules the horn bands.
@JimRobbinsPhotography15 жыл бұрын
A little reminder to y'all, this is a very rare clip for another reason... In the back is the one and ONLY Brent Byars on congas. He passed away at a young age and in respect, the Tower has NEVER EVER filled his slot. Brent will always be the one, the only conga player for the hottest dam* band to EVER grace a stage!!!
@baazooka8615 жыл бұрын
I saw TOP in a very small club in Huntington Beach in 1982. I thought the horn section of the band was literally going to blow us out of the place. It was GREAT!!!!!!
@snootsy81113 жыл бұрын
ONE OF THE BEST HORN SECTIONS EVER, RIGHT IN LINE WITH CHICAGO, BRASS CONSTRUCTION, EARTH,WIND, FIRE.
@ambersalcove12 жыл бұрын
I saw these guys in concert at a Jazz Festival last February and wow they were absolutely and Positively Amazing I even got an autograped T shirt from the Bass player Wow!
@APennState115 жыл бұрын
I just saw TOP last night at House of Blues in Atlantic City. This makes three times that I have seen them this year and Larry Braggs is by far the best vocalist that they have had. He truly puts heart and soul in to EVERYTHING that he sings. LIDRUM4U - enjoy the show in NYC and if you get a chance, please tell Dave G that Gene Krupa's great nephew says hello sinc ehe didn' tcome out for meet and greet after last night's performance!
@christopherpohl87432 жыл бұрын
Ain’t nothing but a Party, ya’ll.
@charlessherman58148 жыл бұрын
God bless Mic and thank you for your extremely artistic talent that brought us all together. Wish you were still here to help mend. You are now with the best in God's orchestra!
@klainski215 жыл бұрын
Saw them in Charlotte on 4/18/09. Worth the drive from Tpa Bay area, the OTHER Bay Area! Fla. It was Fabulous. New CD a real departure-they do mostly Soul classics and have guest stars. Joss Stone is such a phenom. Buy it.
@aldoushuxleysattention71538 жыл бұрын
How can 5 sentient beings NOT LIKE this magic?
@19mindmechanic558 жыл бұрын
Well put!
@sdbaron20027 жыл бұрын
Likely because the video and audio quality suggest it was filmed with a potato. That said, Tower of Power were some baaaad MFers!!
@RixGuitar14 жыл бұрын
Lenny Williams is the lead singer! Lenny Pickett is on tenor sax with the dancing feet! He is the musical director for Saturday Night Live and has been for years! Legends
@prcurnow15 жыл бұрын
Greg Adams did the arranging for the horns most of the time - great stuph, all of it. And, what a great show still today!
@bluesobsessed10 жыл бұрын
HAVE BEEN A TOP FAN SINCE EAST BAY GREASE, HAVE SEEN MANY TIMES AT TOAD'S PLACE, NEW HAVEN, CT.
@trentamj14 жыл бұрын
I only saw TOP two or three times, spending all the money I had to see them whenever they happened to appear in California wherever I happened to be, including the East Bay Area, of course!
@johngsteel15 жыл бұрын
TOP is King of Funk! Nothing tops this band!
@lollymcginty15 жыл бұрын
The band was at its zenith. They still cook today, but this lineup was legendary...
@LifeIsAnArt9510 жыл бұрын
I was there...greatest band EVER!!!!!
@georgetaylor2919 Жыл бұрын
Yes … they were at their best with Lenny Williams singing
@Vincentdeep14 жыл бұрын
Not to take anything from the bands of today but I feel cheated when I dont hear iive what I heard on the record, these men deliver the truth and that is why I still havve love for them!
@freein233915 жыл бұрын
Saw them last weekend in Philly at a FREE concert...They were jamming hard....
@ricks101916 жыл бұрын
musicianship! talent! you witness it here, gang.
@craigaustin389110 жыл бұрын
Dance, Lenny, dance.
@jazzdad4712 жыл бұрын
The organ player is Chester Thompson. This is the original group. Going to see them live tomorrow night at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis. A bucket list event for my two sons.
@MrTybowman311 жыл бұрын
This is when real music was made!
@allen692415 жыл бұрын
All those great musicians from the 40's @50's gave their children talent and freedom to express themselves musically the same way swing and bebop took flight. when will we challenge our musical community that way again?
@JimRobbinsPhotography12 жыл бұрын
I had to pay $2.00 in San Diego to see that lineup. Rick and Skip were so cool. Don't forget how fortunate you were to see Brent Byars on congas!!!
@stillphil14 жыл бұрын
LENNY ... best voice ever for T.O.P. period.
@frenchharp116 жыл бұрын
Bad ASS song. Favorite Funk song & group of my generation.
@mooredonaldg13 жыл бұрын
Lenny Williams will always be the best
@acidrudistaeger48432 жыл бұрын
Wie immer sehr gut.
@tedkay37505 жыл бұрын
TIMELESS! Jazz with a touch of FUNK!
@mqblues16 жыл бұрын
Saw the Back to Oakland Tour in '74 -- concert finale featured huge CA freeway sign with title while band was finishing up What is Hip. Great band -- Lenny Williams the best vocalist -- gave them that high vocal they needed!
@curtiss200012 жыл бұрын
I saw this group in Columbus, Ohio at the Agora on High Street located across from the Ohio State University School of Law. My ticket number was 0001. Lenny Williams had just left the group. For those who do not know, the album titled "Tower of Power was the 3rd album. The 1st was titled East Bay Grease." The 2nd album was titled "Bump City." Rick Stevens was the lead singer. The song that basically introduced them to the American public was "You're Still A Young Man."
@Conqueror44111 жыл бұрын
last night I met one of the guitarists for T.O.P. Jeff Tamelier, and he ROCKED on the guitar! and i told him nice job after he played. lol seriously. no joke