Mic Gillette Rest in Peace

[Tim McG]

I am so very saddened to learn of this. Mic Gillette was one of my trumpet playing heroes. Ever since being introduced to Tower of Power back in the early 70s I just marveled at his ability to play the trumpet and trombone interchangeably...and at various times during the same gig. I would watch in awe at concerts when he did this and so wished I could do the same.

Now...he's gone. Such a huge loss and I for one will miss his artistic talent.

Rest in Peace, Mic.

 

Mic Gillette last performance with Tower of Power

Edited January 18, 2016 by Tim McG

[JSngry]

Moving this to Artists, and yes, RIP. That was a band...maybe you had to be there, I don't know, but I was, so I can't know any differently. At their peak, they defied the commercial and esthetic laws of popular music as much as anybody, and did it better than almost anybody, took it to such a high plane.

[catesta]

It's funny how some songs stay in your life forever and for all kinds of crazy reasons. For me "So Very Hard to Go" is one of those. First time I ever heard it was on the alarm clock radio while still dark outside and trying to get up up for school. Thanks TOP.

RIP Mic.

[JSngry]

Here ya' go, vintage footage of the "classic"line up, just when the began to really hit their stride.

 

 

 

 

 

[Tim McG]

A truly awesome band with a tighter than tight horn section. I have seen these guys a dozen times. The last was at the Playboy Jazz Festival in June of 2015. Never tire of them

East Bay Grease, Bump City and the self-titled Tower of Power albums still stand out as my favorites. 

[Jim R]

Mic of course worked with other bands as well, because of the high demand for his talent.  That music was a huge part of my life in those days, and it stands the test of time better than much of what I was listening to.  And I agree, Tim... those first three albums are hard to beat. 

[JSngry]

Live  And In Living Color...take away the nostalgia and that's still one of the most amazing documents of a live dance band ever, not the cultural phenomenom of Goodman/Carnegie Hall, but hey, can't do anything about that.

[Jim R]

You know you've arrived when you get this:

 

I like it, too!

[JSngry]

 

Mic Gillette, of legendary Tower of Power horn section, dies

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_29399834/mic-gillette-legendary-tower-power-horn-section-dies?source=rss

Mic Gillette, founding member of Tower of Power, dies at 64

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mic-Gillette-founding-member-of-Tower-of-Power-6766775.php

[Tim McG]

I understand Mic was a child prodigy...reading music by age 4. Just amazing.

 

 

17 hours ago, Jim R said:

Mic of course worked with other bands as well, because of the high demand for his talent.  That music was a huge part of my life in those days, and it stands the test of time better than much of what I was listening to.  And I agree, Tim... those first three albums are hard to beat. 

If memory serves he played with Cold Blood for a time while on hiatus from ToP.

 

[Tim McG]

On 1/19/2016 at 0:04 AM, Jim R said:

You know you've arrived when you get this:

 

I like it, too!

Total coolness.

Bump de bump de bump!

[TedR]

I'll never forget seeing ToP at a small jazz club in Fort Lauderdale.....Musicians Exchange (Dan Gould recalls it I bet). It was in the late 80's. "Doc" ("make 'em feel good") was wearing his hat by then. The groove was unbelievably infectious, everything in service to the groove. Anyone who was the least bit self conscious no longer was as the concert went on. The band and the audience just fed off each other. "What is hip today might become passé." Not, definitely not, ToP. If I'm lucky to make it to my 80's, when they prescribe a B-12 shot, it'll be that and ToP to get instantly energized.

And to Mic Gillette, not just for being a founder of a legendary group but for your commitment to the music by continuing to educate others and passing it on, thanks and RIP. 

 

[Tim McG]

Well put, Ted.

A Funk band for all-time.