Posted on 01/18/2016 4:00:34 PM PST by nickcarraway
Mic Gillette, renowned trumpet and trombone player and founding member of the legendary Oakland funky soul band Tower of Power, died suddenly of a heart attack over the weekend. He was 64.
Gillette started playing with members of seminal funk outfit back in 1966 and as first trumpet, he was a powerful sonic force behind Tower of Power’s rise to prominence in the 1970s.
“The Tower of Power family was stunned today by the news that Mic Gillette, our dear friend and bandmate going back to 1966, passed away,†bandleader Emilio Castillo announced on the group’s website Sunday night.
“Mic was without a doubt the greatest brass player I've ever known,†he said. “Our sincere condolences go out to his wife Julia and his daughter Megan and their entire family."
While bands like the Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead were shaping the rock scene at the height of the 1960s psychedelic movement in San Francisco, Tower of Power carved out its own funky niche across the Bay in Oakland.
The group had several top 40 radio hits through the 1970s, including “You Are Still a Young Man†and the 1973 grooving classic “What is Hip?â€
During his more than four-decade-long music career, Gillette played with huge names in the business, including Santana, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Elton John and dozens of others.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
I’ll need to take a listen to that. His singles never drew me in.
I lived in the Bay Area when ToP burst onto the music scene.
RIP, Mic...
Saw ToP open for Steve Miller Band and Journey in Virginia Beach in summer of 2014. They could still bring it!
The opening and closing of YOU’RE STILL A YOUNG MAN always send chills down my spine.
RIP.
The man had some chops.
Bad news . . . bad news! This is a truly g-r-e-a-t band. Mick and the other horns made them totally unique. What a loss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRiii9dyon8&list=PL2Tx2X-YKAvToLROkn9NIMHq0MC7OBxqc
I’m jealous of you that your sons have taken up the trumpet. My son could do music because his ability is nearly limitless, but he is not interested. I have lead Christian bands most of his life, (rhythm guitar and vocals) and one night during band practice, I stuck him in the drum set and proceeded to be amazed. He shoots really well too; pistol, shotgun and rifle, but he is not interested. When he has gone fishing with me, he always lands the biggest fish, still, he is not interested.
I’m teaching his mom, Mrs. BCC drums as of this posting. She made her public debut Christmas Eve at church where we played three songs.
RIP.
What Was Hip.
Is the Grim Reaper done now?
Cynthia Robinson, Sly's trumpet player passed away in November.
Cynthia Robinson, Sly and the Family Stone Legendary Horn Player, Dies at 69
I like this clip from Soul Train. Some Q & A from the audience before the song.
We’re getting old. It’s going to brutal from here on out. We are all mortal.
Yes but this latest bunch are not considered old by todays standards.
Could there be a bit of life style catch up playing its hand?
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