RIP Rocco Prestia, bassist for Tower of Power

[wryter2000]

Last edited Wed Sep 30, 2020, 02:13 PM - Edit history (1)

All fans of funk will recognize the name of Tower of Power's long time bass player. He invented Finger Style Funk and was truly one of the greats. I'll be listening to a lot of TOP today.

[kimbutgar]

1. One of my all time favorite groups

Saw them at Winterland, Oakland Coliseum, Fillmore auditorium and so many other venues.

What is hip was one of his great licks

[wryter2000]

2. They are still kicking butt after 52 years

They recently did a Concert in Your Car in Ventura. They're scheduled for two more, in Del Mar and Phoenix. I'm hoping they'll do one near me. I haven't seen them live since last November.

[dhill926]

3. they sure did...

we didn't do the concert in a car thing, but did walk by the Fairgrounds to listen to a couple of tunes. They were a never miss in the Before Times...rip for Rocco...

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

4. oh dang. they were still around a couple of years ago.

have a friend that works for a big wig law firm. she plans the big get together for all the partners every year.
i think last yr it was in denver and they played. shit. here i thought they was still time to see them live. never assume there will be a tomorrow.

[wryter2000]

5. You can still see them!

Rocco hasn't played with the band for a few years. They have a new bassist, Mark VW. They call him that because his name is something like VanWenenigan. I still haven't learned it.

Because of COVID, they haven't done any indoor concerts, but they've done a Concert in Your Car, and they're going to do two more in October. In Del Mar, CA and Phoenix, AZ. You buy a space for your car, and it covers everyone in your car. The music is amplified the usual way, but it's also played on your car radio.

I don't know if you want that, but they haven't stopped at all. Their tour schedule is on Tower of Power dot com.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

6. coolio

used to work in a bar that had live music back in the 70's. several had horn players and they all did at least one tower sing.
they were good players, but it would be great to catch the real thing.