TOWER OF POWER – HOLIDAY & HITS TOUR

For 58 years, Tower of Power has delivered the best in funk and soul music. The band began as a soul group called The Motowns before Emilio Castillo met “Doc” Kupka in 1968. Kupka joined the band, and they eventually changed their name to Tower of Power as they pursued their goal of performing at San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium.

 

East Bay Grease defined the band’s sound and led to a record deal with Warner Brothers. Their 1972 debut for the label, Bump City, was a hit on both the Billboard 200 and the R&B Albums chart, producing the hits “You’re Still A Young Man” and “Down to the Nightclub.” The 1970s became a defining period for Tower of Power, with radio classics including “So Very Hard to Go” and “What Is Hip?” The band continued to tour and record over the years, with Castillo maintaining that their love of the stage is the same today as it was in 1968.

 

In 2018, Tower of Power returned to Oakland to celebrate its landmark 50th anniversary. The milestone was accompanied by the release of 50 Years of Funk & Soul: Live at the Fox Theater. The band’s signature grooves and party spirit have remained central to its identity throughout its history, while its longevity has allowed generations of fans to discover its music.

 

Tower of Power has long since surpassed Castillo’s modest aspirations, traveling the world, enjoying hit singles on its own, and backing legendary artists including Otis Redding, Elton John, Santana, the Grateful Dead, John Lee Hooker, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, and countless others. In the process, the band has defined an “Oakland soul” sound as instantly recognizable as those from Castillo’s hometown of Detroit, as well as inspirations like Memphis and Philadelphia.

 

The future of Tower of Power continues to be vigorous and dynamic, bringing the band’s distinctive blend of funk and soul to fans around the world.

 

“Tower of Power has a sound that is truly in a class of its own, and this tour is a great way to celebrate the holiday season,” said Jim Wise, Vice President of Marketing at FireKeepers Casino Hotel. “Guests will get the best of both worlds — the iconic songs they know and love, plus holiday music delivered with that unmistakable Tower of Power energy.”