List of Tower of Power members
The rest of the original lineup included vocalist Rufus Miller, guitarist Willie James Fulton, bassist Francis Rocco Prestia and drummer David Garibaldi.
Castillo and Kupka remain the only constant members of TOP, the current incarnation of which also features keyboardist Roger Smith (since 1998), trumpeter Adolfo Acosta (since 2000), tenor saxophonist Tom E. Politzer (since 2002), guitarist Jerry Cortez (since 2010), bassist Marc van Wageningen (since 2018), trumpeter Dave Richards (since 2023), drummer Pete Antunes (since 2024), and vocalist Jordan John (since 2024).
[1] The original horn section also featured Steven "Skip" Mesquite on lead tenor saxophone, alongside Greg Adams, David Padron, Mic Gillette and Ken Balzell on trumpets and other brass.
[2][3] The rest of the band was filled out by vocalist Rufus Miller,[4] guitarist Willie James Fulton,[5] bassist Rocco Prestia and drummer David Garibaldi.
[2] During the recording of the group's debut album East Bay Grease in 1969, Rick Stevens replaced Miller in time to perform lead vocals on one track.
[6] Following the release of East Bay Grease, only Adams and Gillette remained on trumpets,[7] while the group had been joined by Brent Byars on additional percussion.
[30] In 1986, with Mick Mestek and Lee Thornburg replacing Craney and Cichowicz, the band recorded its first album in five years; the result, T.O.P., received a limited release, before it was edited and issued more widely as Power in 1987.
[37] During the tumultuous period following the release of 1987's Power, TOP reportedly came close to disbanding due to ongoing substance issues for leaders Castillo and Kupka, who became clean in 1988 and 1989, respectively.
[49] At the beginning of 1998, Matthews, Scarpulla and Harris were replaced by David Garibaldi (returning for his fourth tenure), Norbert Stachel and Jesse McGuire, respectively.
[12][50][51] The group recorded live album Soul Vaccination that October, after which Nick Milo left and Roger Smith took his place.
[55] When Stachel left to join Roger Waters' solo touring band in January 2002,[50] Tom E. Politzer took his place in March.
[56] During 2002 and 2003, Rocco Prestia was forced to step back from touring with TOP after having a liver transplant; he was replaced initially by Marc van Wageningen and later by Bobby Vega.
[61] In 2008, TOP performed a special show to mark the 40th anniversary of its formation, which featured guest appearances by multiple former band members, and was released in 2011.
[63] In August 2009, TOP founding member Mic Gillette rejoined the group after 25 years out of the lineup, when Mike Bogart departed "to pursue a career in music education".
[69][71] During 2018, Rocco Prestia was forced to retire permanently from touring with TOP due to ongoing health issues, with former stand-in Marc van Wageningen taking his place again.
[73][74] Also in 2018, the group performed a 50th anniversary show which was released as an album in 2021, featuring former members including tenor saxophonist Lenny Pickett, keyboardist Chester Thompson, guitarist Bruce Conte and vocalist Greene, who played trombone.
