Tower of Power are in the midst of their 53rd year of making music. Pioneers of a distinctive, brass-fired take on soul and funk, the band has been nearly impossible to label, thus appealing to fans of many genres of music. TOP has released 26 albums and have had eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including their highest-charting songs “You’re Still a Young Man,” “So Very Hard to Go,” “What Is Hip?” and “Don’t Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream).” 

Originally from Oakland, Calif., at least 60 musicians have toured or recorded with the band throughout their half-century career. Regardless of who has come and gone, the core of the band has always been its horn section, still led by original members Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka. 

Besides recording the band’s own albums, the horn men of Tower of Power have been called upon to grace the recordings of dozens of other artists, ranging from Otis Redding and Bonnie Raitt to Aerosmith and Stevie Nicks. They have even recorded with Grateful Dead, Poison, and Paula Abdul. 

Their live performances just add to the appeal, helping make them a must-see act. Still as tight, soulful, and energetic as ever, Tower of Power continue to leave audiences in awe as they show off a musicianship and stage presence that, to this day, is rarely matched. 

Sweetwater All Stars will open the show at the Sweetwater Performance Pavilion on Sept. 19.