Tower of Power at the Paramount Theatre

Tower of Power
Paramount Theatre
Denver, CO
August 11, 2023

Debuting in 1968 as The Motowns, the gritty horn-led band paid its dues by playing San Francisco Bay Area clubs and county fairs while developing its signature funk style. Their tight horn section and foot-stomping rhythms set them apart from their fellow Bay Area brass rock counterparts, like Cold Blood and the Sons of Champlin. After changing their name to Tower of Power, and with a bit of help from rock concert promoter Bill Graham, who signed them to his San Francisco label for their debut album (East Bay Grease, 1970), TOP started playing larger venues and opening for iconic acts like Jimi Hendrix in 1970.

Friday night's powerhouse performance at Denver's Paramount Theatre marked several historic moments for the high-energy band. It introduced new trumpeter/trombonist Dave Richards to the line-up, and Friday's concert date was only a day away from the band's 55th anniversary.

Emilio Castillo, second tenor saxophone and a founding member of the group, was in great spirits, joking about experiencing the effects of Denver's mile-high elevation. "I've been sober for the last 35 years, but I'm high on that stuff you're smoking tonight, and I'm high on the altitude, too," quipped Castillo. "I'm going to have to go to a meeting and raise my hand!"

TOP cleverly sprinkled their prime '70s hits throughout the jam-packed evening, igniting nostalgia moments and giving the audience plenty of opportunities to slow dance in the aisles to "You're Still a Young Man" or shake a groove to "What Is Hip?" and "Diggin' on James Brown." Some recorded the highlights on their cell phones, while others had them on flashlight mode, swaying their raised arms to the music. Lead vocalist and multi-talented frontman Mike Jerel did an excellent job presenting TOP's multi-decade catalog while showing his slick dance moves, occasionally playing keys and trumpet.

Castillo often shared the spotlight with Jerel. He reminisced about their hometown's 50th-anniversary show in 2018 at the Fox Theater in Oakland. The celebration added a string section, background singers, and band alums like Chester Thompson, Lenny Pickett, and Francis Rocco Prestia. "The mayor even declared it Tower of Power week!" said Castillo.

When it came to band introductions, original members Stephen "Doc" Kupka (baritone sax) and David Garibaldi (drums) were given standing ovations. Guitarist Jerry Cortez and lead tenor saxophonist Tom E. Politzer took center stage twice for sizzling solos.

After a well-deserved encore, Jerel, Garibaldi, and Cortez came out to high-five and took selfies with the remaining faithful fans in the front row. Garibaldi offered his drumsticks to a young girl while Cortez handed out guitar picks.

Over the last 55 years, the group's popularity hasn't diminished. "55 years have flashed before us in the blink of an eye, and this year has been extraordinary," noted Castillo. "Here's to 55 more!"

Setlist

We Came to Play; Soul With a Capital S; You Ought to Be Havin' Fun; You Got to Funkifize; Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream); Down to the Nightclub; You're Still a Young Man; Real Soul Love; Squib Cakes; Diggin' on James Brown/James Brown medley; So Very Hard to Go; What Is Hip?. Encore: To Say the Least; You're the Most.

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