Tower of Power Still Rocks to Different Beat

From the beginning, Tower of Power co-founder Emilio Castillo grooved to a different beat.

Growing up in Oakland, Castillo formed his first band with his brother. They did covers, but obscure covers. 

Rather than James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” they did his “I Don’t Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door I’ll Get It Myself).” He favored Howard Tate for his baritone and the horn section on his records. They loved the soul standard bearers — Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Eddie Floyd, Gladys Knight. And the Bay Area was rife with soul bands including a young Sly Stone who was a DJ with a band. They’d sneak into a local club on weekends to watch. 

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