"And, if this isn’t fantastic enough, I just found out that I’m in a book that’s included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame … I have been truly, truly blessed,” Stevens said. In addition to singing with Love Power, Stevens told the San Jose Mercury News in a 2014 interview that he was "blessed," with a new record, Back on the Streets Again, a movie on his life story in development and a book project. I have faith that I'll see him in heaven someday and together we'll worship and glorify God together for eternity. The bands dedication, hard work and connection to us long-time fans prove. The first time he sat in with us, after his release from prison, was a 'once in a lifetime' emotional experience for all of us. Instead, Tower of Power remains as vital and full of life-affirming funk and soul, if not more, as they were in 1968. I told him that I really hoped he would take advantage of the tremendous opportunity that God had given him to help people to avoid the pitfalls he had fallen into."Ĭastillo wrote that Stevens "carried his message of faith and redemption to many. WMG (on behalf of Warner Urban Music) ASCAP, LatinAutor, AMRA, AMRA BR, Kobalt Music Publishing, UMPI, LatinAutorPerf, SOLAR Music Rights. "I remember talking with him when he was released and I was skeptical about his 'prison salvation' experience. "After leaving the band he did some things that caused him to be imprisoned for around 37 years but the Lord had other plans for Rick," Castillo wrote. "He sang on our first two recordings and his rendition of Sparkling in the Sand and You're Still A Young Man were timeless classics that set our career in motion," Castillo wrote.īut Stevens was convicted of murder for killing three people in 1976 during a drug deal gone wrong. Stevens joined the band in 1969 and sang lead on some of the band's biggest hits. "On behalf of Love Power, Tower of Power and all his friends, family, fans, we will love you forever in our hearts." "Rick passed away this morning a few hours ago," wrote drummer Amado Tuazon. "Rick was an extremely soulful singer and entertainer who had an engaging personality and a strong faith which he shared with all he came in contact with."Ī separate Facebook page for Stevens and another Oakland-area band, Love Power, also confirmed the musician's death. For 55 years, Tower of Power has delivered the best in funk and soul music.We were a Soul band called The Motowns. "Rick Stevens went to heaven today to be with the Lord whom he loved with all his heart," Castillo said in his long post. Stevens' son and manager, Clarence Maloney, confirmed to KTVU-TV in San Francisco that Stevens died Tuesday after a short battle with cancer.Ĭurrent band leader Emilio Castillo also confirmed the news in a post on the band's Facebook page. Rick Stevens, the former lead singer of Oakland's Tower of Power rhythm and blues band who spent 36 years in prison, has died.
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