A Look Back at Sly and the Tower of Power

Do you remember the times of great music? Well, we do and two bands we could never forget are Sly and the Family Stone and the Tower of Power. Let’s talk a little bit more about them..

Sly and the Family Stone was at the top of anyone’s soul list, having recorded “Stand,” Everyday People,” “Higher,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” and more. Sly Stone started the group in the late 60s from his porch in San Francisco, gathering the funkiest group of horn players in the land. Their secret was to punch you in the face with funk, rock and soul all at once, using powerful lyrics and arraignments. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Sadly the lead female voice and force, Cynthia Robinson, died just a few months ago.

The ‘Tower of Power’ is considered the most powerful backup horn section in all of rock and roll, beginning in Oakland, Ca. With respect to the incredible players in the band Chicago and Earth Wind & Fire, we simply don’t have enough time to credit all the songs and albums of other performers these talented musicians collaborated with, but here are a few: Huey Lewis, Elton John, Cat Stevens, The Monkees, Grateful Dead, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Aerosmith, Frankie Valli, and Heart. The band did have one hit record in the mid-70s called “You’re Still a Young Man” and continue to tour today.

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Photo credit: Geoff Goldswain / Shutterstock.com