Tower of Power to Close SCERA Shell Outdoor Season

Call them "sold out concerts" or "souled out concerts." Either description would be correct for Tower of Power, of group of 10 musicians whose blend of urban, soul, funk and rhythm and blues has dazzled audiences and built a devoted fan base around the world since the 1970s. In fact, many of the group's loyal fans plan their vacations around the band's tour dates.

From the beginning, Tower of Power has maintained an active tour schedule in the United States, Japan, and Europe and has added Orem, Utah, to its roster of incredible live concert experiences. TOP will perform Saturday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, 699 S. State Street, in the center of SCERA Park.

The high energy evening will end a successful summer season under the stars. Two weeks later, the plays and concerts move to SCERA Center of the Arts for a nine-month Indoor Season which kicks off with the funniest farce ever written, "Noises Off," on September 15.

"We have been trying to get Tower of Power for years, and finally their tour schedule aligned. We are thrilled to have musicians of their caliber to our summer to a close with a bang," says Adam J. Robertson, SCERA's President and CEO.

Adult general admission is $25, and tickets for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and older are $20. Reserved sections may still be available for an additional cost.

Tickets are available at www.scera.org, by calling 801-225-ARTS, at the SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State St., Orem, between 10am-6pm weekdays, or at the gate beginning 90 minutes before the concert.

The roots of the famous soul group go back almost 50 years when tenor sax artist Emilio Castillo met baritone sax player Stephen "Doc" Kupka. When Doc auditioned for a spot with Castillo, Castillo's father called his son aside to tell him to hire the guy, adding "He's got something." That something became Tower of Power, which Castillo and Kupka launched in the San Francisco Bay area in 1968. It was an era that saw the emergence of such classic groups as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Journey, and others.

Although Tower of Power began gaining a following in its hometown, the big break came in 1970 when the group was signed to San Francisco records, followed by Warner Brothers and a string of hits. Over the years the Tower of Power horns have been used with such famous artists and groups as Aerosmith, Elton John, and Santana.

Among their hits are "So Very Hard To Let Go" and "What is Hip," ideal selections for their infectious horns, band and vocalists.

Four musicians-Castillo, Kupka, Rocco Prestia and David Garibaldi - are founding members who have performed with Tower of Power from the beginning, and their original vision is still evident. The exacting standards they set for themselves extends to the other musicians that have joined TOP over the years.

To post a comment, you must register and login.