On December 3, 2025, Steven Lee Cropper died aged 84. He was musician, songwriter, record producer and actor, known as “The Colonel”. He was the guitarist of the “Stax Records” house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, which backed artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. He was also member of the Blues Brothers Band, and recorded and performed with many other artists including Alabama, Jimmy Barnes, William Bell, Barbi Benton, Big Star, Stephen Bishop, Frank Black, Bobby and the Midnites, Booker T. & MG.’s, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Burnette, Brian Cadd, Cate Brothers, Chicago, David Clayton Thomas, A. J. Croce, Patti Dahlstrom, Delaney & Bonnie, Ned Doheny, Yvonne Elliman, Jose Feliziano, Eddie Floyd, Peter Frampton, Richie Furay, Art Garfunkel, Cyndi Grecco, Levon Helm, Chris Hillman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Etta James, Wynonna Judd, Albert King, B.B. King, Al Kooper, John Lennon, Ann Margret, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Craig Morgan, Aaron Neville, Wayne Newton, Harry Nilsson, John Oates, Nigel Olsson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Wilson Pickett, Michel Polnareff, John Prine, Otis Redding, Bruce Roberts, Leon Russell, Sanford & Townsend, Leo Sayer, Poncho Sanchez, Guy Sebastian, Neil Sedaka, Paul Shaffer, Paul Simon, Percy Sledge, Broderick Smith, The Soul Children, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staple, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Livingston Taylor, Carla Thomas, Mickey Thomas, Wendy Waldman, Tower of Power, The Manhattan Transfer, Dale Watson and Jerry Lynn Williams. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him 36th on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists”. Cropper won two “Grammy Awards”, and as leader or co-leader Cropper released 13 albums.
Tag Archives: Tower of Power
Tower Of Power: Bump City
In May 1972, “Warner Bros” label released “Bump City”, the second Tower of Power album. It was recorded 1971 – 1972, at “Trans Maximus Inc. Recording Studios” in Memphis, Tennessee, and was produced by Ron Capone, Rick Stevens, Skip Mesquite, Emilio Castillo, Greg Adams, Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Mic Gillette, Francis Rocco Prestia, Willie James Fulton, David Garibaldi and Brent Byars.
Personnel:
- Rick Stevens – lead vocals
- Willie James Fulton – vocals, guitar
- Francis Rocco Prestia – bass
- David Garibaldi – drums
- Brent Byars – conga drums, vocals
- Skip Mesquite – vocals, first tenor saxophone, flute
- Emilio Castillo – vocals, second tenor saxophone
- Stephen “Doc” Kupka – vocals, baritone saxophone
- Greg Adams – vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, piano
- Mic Gillette – vocals, trumpet, trombone, French horn
- Jay Spell – piano
- Memphis Strings
- Greg Adams – conductor, strings arrangements
- Ron Capone, Steve Cropper – mixing
Track listing:
All tracks by Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka, except where noted.
- You Got to Funkifize
- What Happened to the World That Day?
- Flash in the Pan
- Gone (in Memory of Jacqueline Mesquite) – Greg Adams, Skip Mesquite
- You Strike My Main Nerve – Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Emilio Castillo, L. Williams, L. Gordon
- Down to the Nightclub – Stephen Kupka, Emilio Castillo, David Garibaldi
- You’re Still a Young Man
- Skating on Thin Ice
- Of the Earth
Big Brother and the Holding Company: Be a Brother
In October 1970, “Columbia” label released “Be a Brother”, the third Big Brother and the Holding Company album. It was recorded in 1970, and was produced by Nick Gravenites.
Personnel:
- Nick Gravenites – lead and backing vocals
- Sam Andrew – guitar, lead and backing vocals
- David Schallock – guitar, backing vocals
- Peter Albin – guitar
- James Gurley – bass, guitar
- David Getz – drums, piano
- Kathi McDonald – vocals
- Richard Greene – violin
- Mike Finnigan – keyboard
- Tower of Power – horn section
- Ira Kamin
- Mark Naftalin
- David Brown, Jerry Hochman, Sy Mitchell – engineer
- John Van Hamersveld – design concept
- Bob Seidemann – design, photography
Track listing:
- Keep On – Sam Andrew , Peter Albin, David Getz, James Gurley, David Schallock
- Joseph’s Coat – Nick Gravenites, John Cipollina
- Home on the Strange – Peter Albin, Sam Andrew
- Someday – Sam Andrew
- Heartache People – Nick Gravenites
- Sunshine Baby – Sam Andrew, Peter Albin, David Getz, James Gurley, David Shallock
- Mr. Natural – Sam Andrew
- Funkie Jim – Sam Andrew, Peter Albin, David Getz, James Gurley, David Shallock, Nick Gravenites
- I’ll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle – Nick Gravenites
- Be a Brother – Nick Gravenites
Tower of Power: Step Up
On March 20, 2020, “Mack Avenue Records” label released “Step Up”, the 22nd Tower of Power album. It was recorded over the course of the 2010s, at “Blue Moon” in Los Angeles, “Track Shack” in Sacramento, and was produced by Joe Vannelli and Emilio Castillo.
Personnel:
- Emilio Castillo – lead and backing vocals, tenor saxophone
- Roger Smith – lead vocals, keyboards, Hammond B3 organ
- Jerry Cortez – guitars, electric sitar, backing vocals
- Marcus Scott – lead and backing vocals
- Ray Greene – lead and backing vocals, trombone
- Joe Vannelli – keyboards, auxiliary percussion, vibes, marimba
- Tom E. Politzer – alto and tenor saxophone
- Stephen “Doc” Kupka – baritone saxophone
- Chuck Hansen – bass saxophone
- Adolfo Acosta – trumpet, flugelhorn
- Sal Cracchiolo – trumpet, flugelhorn
- Francis Rocco Prestia – bass guitar
- David Garibaldi – drums
- Leah Meux – backing vocals
- Tiwana Porter – backing vocals
- Melanie Jackson – backing vocals
- Dave Eskridge – horn and string arrangements
Track listing:
- East Bay, All the Way! – David Garibaldi, Francis Rocco Prestia, Roger Smith, Jerry Cortez
- Step Up – Emilio Castillo, Roger Smith
- The Story of You and I – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka
- Who Would Have Thought – Stephen Kupka, Nick Lane, Lamont Van Hook
- Addicted to You – Emilio Castillo, Sydney Justin
- Look in My Eyes – Francis Rocco Prestia, Thomas William Schuman, Kevin Henry Whalum
- You da One – Francis Rocco Prestia, Thomas William Schuman, Sennie Rudolph Martin
- Sleeping with You Baby – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka
- If It’s Tea Give Me Coffee – Stephen Kupka, William Ross
- Beyond My Wildest Dreams – Bruce Conte
- Any Excuse Will Do – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka, Lenny Pickett
- If You Wanna Be a Winner – Emilio Castillo, David Garibaldi, Francis Rocco Prestia, Roger Smith, Jerry Cortez
- Let’s Celebrate Our Love – Emilio Castillo, Mark Dolin
- East Bay! Oaktown All the Way! – David Garibaldi, Francis Rocco Prestia, Roger Smith, Jerry Cortez
Molly Hatchet: Take No Prisoners
In November 1981, “Epic” label released “Take No Prisoners” the fourth Molly Hatchet studio album. It was recorded in 1981, at “Compass Point Studios” in Nassau, Bahamas, “Record Plant Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Tom Werman.
Personnel:
- Jimmy Farrar – vocals
- Dave Hlubek – electric and slide guitar
- Steve Holland – guitar
- Duane Roland – electric and slide guitar
- Jai Winding – keyboard
- Banner Thomas – bass
- Bruce Crump – drums
- Paulinho da Costa – congas
- Tom Werman – percussion
- Tower of Power horn section – horns
- Mindy Sterling, Laurie Bono, Katey Sagal – backing vocals
- Joyce ‘Baby Jean’ Kennedy – additional vocals
- Gary Ladinsky – engineer, mixing
- Cary Pritkin – engineer assistant
- George Marino – mastering
Track listing:
- Bloody Reunion – Jimmy Farrar, Dave Hlubek, Duane Roland, Banner Thomas
- Respect Me in the Morning – Jimmy Farrar, Duane Roland
- Long Tall Sally – Robert Blackwell, Enotris Johnson, Richard Penniman
- Loss of Control – Bruce Crump, Duane Roland, Banner Thomas
- All Mine – Banner Thomas
- Lady Luck – Dave Hlubek
- Power Play – Steve Holland
- Don’t Mess Around – Duane Roland, Banner Thomas
- Don’t Leave Me Lonely – Bruce Crump, Steve Holland
- Dead Giveaway – Dave Hlubek
Peter Frampton: Where I Should Be
On May 30, 1979, “A&M” label released “Where I Should Be”, the sixth Peter Frampton studio album. It was recorded November 1978 – May 1979, at “The Record Plant” in New York City, and was produced by Peter Frampton.
Personnel:
- Peter Frampton – vocals, guitars, keyboards
- Steve Cropper – guitar
- Bob Mayo – keyboards
- Eddie N. Watkins, Jr. – bass
- Stanley Sheldon – bass
- Donald Dunn – bass
- Tower of Power – horn section
- Gary Mallaber – drums
- Jamie Oldaker – drums
- Steve Forman – percussion
Track listing:
All tracks by Peter Frampton, except where noted.
- I Can’t Stand It No More
- Got My Feet Back on the Ground – Peter Frampton, Rodney Eckerman
- Where I Should Be (Monkey Song)
- Everything I Need – Peter Frampton, Bob Mayo
- May I Baby – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
- You Don’t Know Like I Know – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
- She Don’t Reply
- We’ve Just Begun – Peter Frampton, Bob Mayo
- It’s a Sad Affair
Jon Anderson: 1000 Hands: Chapter One
On March 31, 2019, “Blue Élan Records” label released “1000 Hands: Chapter One”, the fifteenth Jon Anderson studio album. It was recorded March 2019 – July 2020, at “Solar Studios” in Orlando, Florida, and was produced by Michael Franklin.
Personnel:
- Jon Anderson – vocals, various instruments
- Steve Howe – guitar
- Larry Coryell – guitar
- Rick Derringer – guitar
- Chris Squire – bass guitar
- Tim Franklin – bass guitar, ukulele, backing vocals
- Stuart Hamm – bass guitar
- Brian Chatton – keyboards, backing vocals
- Chick Corea – keyboards
- Jonathan Cain – keyboards
- Michael Franklin – keyboards, ukulele, backing vocals
- Alan White – drums
- Billy Cobham – drums
- Matt Brown – drums, backing vocals
- Jerry Goodman – violin
- Jean-Luc Ponty – violin
- Robby Steinhardt – violin
- Charlie Bisharat – violin
- Olga Kopakova – violin
- Dariusz Grabowski – accordion
- Ian Anderson – flute
- Brian Snapp – saxophone, flute
- Charlie DeChant – saxophone, flute
- Tower of Power – horn section
- Zap Mama – backing vocals
- Bobby Kimball – backing vocals
- Solar Choir – choir
- Voices of Lindahl – choir
- Crossover
- Vioelectric
- Orlando Symphony Orchestra – strings and horns
- Matt Brown – mixing
- Bernie Grundman – mastering
Track listing:
All tracks by Jon Anderson and Brian Chatton, except where noted.
- Now
- Ramalama – Jon Anderson, Michael Franklin
- First Born Leaders
- Activate
- Makes Me Happy – Jon Anderson
- Now Variations
- I Found Myself – Jon Anderson
- Twice in a Lifetime
- Where Does Music Come From (WDMCF) – Jon Anderson, Michael Franklin
- 1000 Hands (Come Up)
- Now and Again
Al Kooper: Act Like Nothing’s Wrong
On November 18, 1976, “United Artists” label released “Act Like Nothing’s Wrong”, the seventh Al Kooper studio album. It was recorded in 1976, at “Record Plant” in Los Angeles, “Record Plant” in Sausalito, CA, “TK Studios” in Hialeah, FL, “Quadraphonic Sound Studios” in Nashville, TN, “Sound Ideas Studios” in New York City, “Studio One” in Doraville, GA, and was produced by Al Kooper, and John Simon.
Personnel:
- Al Kooper – vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, clavinet, arranger, horn arrangements, engineer
- Steve Gibson – guitar, rhythm guitar
- Willie “Little Beaver” Hale – guitar
- Joe Walsh – slide guitar
- Reggie Young – vocals, guitar
- Bobby Wood – organ, piano, electric piano
- Ron Bogdon – bass
- J. R. Cobb – bass
- George “Chocolate” Perry – bass
- Mike Leech – bass
- Robert Ferguson – vocals, drums
- Tubby Zeigler – drums
- Larrie Londin – drums
- Gary Coleman – percussion, bongos, conga
- Dominic Frontiere – horn arrangements
- Marvin Stamm – trumpet
- Tower of Power – horns
- Harry Lookofsky – violin
- Wendy Waldman – backing vocals
- Ron Hicklin Singers – backing vocals
- Hilda Harris – backing vocals
- John Simon – arranger
- Steve Alaimo – engineer
- Bob Edwards – engineer
- Gene Eichelberger – engineer
- John Henning – engineer
- Bruce Hensal – engineer
- Linda Hoxit – engineer
- Denis King – engineer
- Kelly Kotera – engineer
- Bobby Langford – engineer
- Tim Sadler – engineer
- Rick Sanchez – engineer
- Rick Smith – engineer
- Steve Smith – engineer
- Alan Robinson – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by Al Kooper, except where noted.
- Is We on the Downbeat
- This Diamond Ring – Al Kooper, Bob Brass, Irwin Levine
- She Don’t Ever Lose Her Groove – Willie Hale
- I Forgot to Be Your Lover – Booker T. Jones, William Bell
- Missing You
- Out of Left Field – Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham
- (Please Not) One More Time
- In My Own Sweet Way
- Turn My Head Towards Home – Al Kooper, John Simon
- A Visit to the Rainbow Bar and Grill
- Hollywood Vampire
Paul Kantner & Grace Slick: Sunfighter
In November 1971, “Grunt”, “RCA” labels released “Sunfighter”, album by Paul Kantner and Grace Slick. It was recorded in 1971, at “Wally Heider Studios” in San Francisco, and was produced by Paul Kantner and Grace Slick.
Personnel:
- Paul Kantner– vocals, rhythm guitar
- Grace Slick– vocals, piano, booklet libretto
- Jack Traylor – vocals, guitar
- Craig Chaquico– lead guitar
- Jerry Garcia – guitar
- David Crosby – vocals, tambourine
- Jorma Kaukonen – lead guitar
- Peter Kaukonen– guitar, mandolin
- Pat Gleeson – Moog synthesizer, piano
- John Vierra – synthesizer, keyboards
- Graham Nash– ARP synthesizer
- Papa John Creach – electric violin
- Bill Laudner – vocals
- Jack Casady– bass
- Spencer Dryden– drums
- Chris Wing – drums
- Shelley Silverman, Joey Covington– drums
- Phill Sawyer – sound effects
- Edwin Hawkins Singers (Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Tramaine Davis Hawkins, Elaine Kelley, Norma J. King, Barbara Gill, Ruth Wyons, Daphne Henderson, Shirley Miller, Eddie Bayers) – vocals
- Steven Schuster – flute, saxophone, horn arrangements
- Tower of Power(Greg Adams, Mic Gillette) – horns
- Pat Ieraci (Maurice the Miracle Man), Phill Sawyer – engineer
- Acy Lehman – cover, assistant on libretto booklet
- Heavy Water Lights (Mary Ann Mayer, Joan Chase) – lights inside
- Gary Blackman – assistant on libretto booklet
Track listing:
- Silver Spoon – Grace Slick
- Diana – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick
- Sunfighter – Paul Kantner
- Titanic -Phill Sawyer
- Look at the Wood – Grace Slick, Paul Kantner
- When I Was a Boy I Watched the Wolves – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick
- Million – Paul Kantner
- China – Grace Slick
- Earth Mother – Jack Taylor
- Diana 2 – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick
- Universal Copernican Mumbles – Pat Gleeson, John Vierra, Paul Kantner
- Holding Together – Grace Slick, Paul Kantner
Tower Of Power: In The Slot
In September 1975, “Warner Bros” label released “In the Slot”, the sixth Tower of Power studio album. It was recorded in 1975, at “Record Plant” in Sausalito, California, and was produced by Emilio Castillo, Hubert Tubss, Bruce Conte, Chester Thompson, Francis Rocco Prestia, David Garibaldi, Lenny Pickett, Emilio Castillo, Steve Kupka, Mic Gillette and Greg Adams.
Personnel:
- Hubert Tubbs- lead vocals
- Bruce Conte – guitar, backing vocals
- Chester Thompson – organ, bass pedals, acoustic piano, clavinet, ARP String Ensemble, backing vocals
- Francis Rocco Prestia – bass guitar
- David Garibaldi- drums
- Lenny Pickett- soprano, alto and tenor saxophone, piccolo, clarinet, contrabass clarinet, lyricon
- Emilio Castillo – tenor saxophone, backing vocals
- Steve Kupka- baritone saxophone
- Mic Gillette- trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, bass trombone, backing vocals
- Greg Adams- trumpet, flugelhorn, string arrangements, conductor
- Bootche Anderson, Marilyn Scott, Pepper Watkins, David Bartlett, Ron Beck, Frank Biner, Roger Rifkind – backing vocals
- Tom Flye, Alan Chinowsky – engineer
- Cris Morris – engineer assistant
- Bruce Steinberg – design, photography
- Ellie Oberzil – design assistant
Track listing:
- Just Enough and Too Much – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka, Frank Biner
- Treat Me Like Your Man – Lenny Williams, Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka
- If I Play My Cards Right – Frank Biner, Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Emilio Castillo
- As Surely as I Stand Here – Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Chester Thompson, Emilio Castillo
- Fanfare-Matanuska – Greg Adams
- On the Serious Side – Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka
- Ebony Jam – Chester Thompson
- You’re So Wonderful, So Marvelous – Frank Biner, Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Emilio Castillo
- Vuela Por Noche – David Garibaldi, Bruce Conte, Greg Adams, Francis Rocco Prestia
- Essence of Innocence – Chester Thompson
- The Soul of a Child – Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Bruce Conte, Emilio Castillo
- Drop It in the Slot – Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka
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