Mick Gillette of Tower of Power Passes

[Craig Stock]

Sorry to report the sudden passing of Mick Gillette, suddenly from an apparent heart attack.

I've been a big fan of TOP, and wish his family and friends the best. RIP Mick

http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainmen ... ction-dies

[Larry Weaver]

Man, another great player and person gone. Trumpet was my first instrument and the TOP horns were a HUGE influence on all of us brass and woodwind wind players coming up in the '70s. Right up there with MF, Bill Chase, BS&T, Chicago, etc.

RIP Mic.

[Godfrey Arthur]

However OT as pedal steel may be off radar, but man are we having a bad season of musician star deaths.

Godspeed Mic.

Loved the sound all these years.

Followed him through Tower Of Power since the beginning East Bay Grease saw him perform with TOP many times with their different incarnations.

Last time I saw Mic was with Bill Champlin in San Luis Obispo.

The days of great players and great music!










Mic live during the days...
With the hat...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN8pWdZhVaM

[Don McClellan]

I am from Oakland, CA and now that I spend 6 months in Asia each year it always blows my mind when I tell someone from some distant corner of the earth that I am from Oakland, CA and they say, "Tower of Power!" More often they say, "Oakland Raiders" but I've heard Tower of Power about 10 times now.
Most older hippies from the Bay Area are very proud of TOP. They were great and Mic was well loved.

[Joe Goldmark]

I also saw Mic play with the reunited "Sons Of Champlin", maybe five years ago. Strong player! Loved TOP of course also.

Joe