The Living Legend…the King…the Ultimate….all quite lofty accolades, but nonetheless deserving.
Francis Rocco Prestia came to initial prominence during the mid to late sixties as the sonic knockout punch behind the 10 piece soul funk horn band TOWER OF POWER.
Up until Rocco kicked the door down, the role of the bass as an instrument and, more personally, the role of the bassist as a musician, was to musically do little more than to unobtrusively hold down the root of the composition. To the listener, bass was the blump, blump sound that was occasionally heard in the background of cool records. Jerry Scheff, bassist for Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman were hailed as "the cats of the day" – all very traditional players repetitiously setting the pace for the pack.
Then, seemingly out of no where (which was actually Oakland, California), came a young thunderous player who was obviously unaware of any rules or boundaries regarding his instrument or his predisposed role in a band. His aggressive approach, rapid fire 16th note percussive attack combined with a unique technique of ghosting and muting various notes would forever emancipate the potential of the bass as an instrument and the creative license of those who would come to play it.
This revolutionary advent not only opened a new highway of thought and experimentation for musicians, but it also allowed bassists the opportunity to dictate the tempo and super-enhance the groove of whatever genre of music was being performed. Rocco's style finally permitted bass players to slide into the driver's seat of the rhythm bus. Playing bass suddenly became hip, adventurous and fun.
Throughout Rocco's 40 plus years of playing, he has almost exclusively confined his creative explorations to the inner workings of his band Tower of Power. He has performed on other records and has occasionally toured with other artists. But to effectively experience samplings of how Rocco Prestia has influenced the rock, jazz, soul, funk, blues and Hip Hop applications of bass guitar, one needs to go no further than listening to his solo CD, "...Everybody on the Bus" or to any of a dozen existing Tower of Power albums.
Great players will come and go. However few will ever possess the creative genius required to actually reposition the target.
Francis Rocco Prestia is indeed an icon…..the Father of Modern Bass, an American treasure, and there isn't much more to say about him as a musician. It's pretty much all been said in cover stories, feature articles and headline interviews printed in countless major music magazines around the world.
As a person, the man is as humble and unassuming as any human being could be. He presently resides in L.A., a devoted father.
Fortunately for the rest of us, Rocco continues to maintain his membership in Tower of Power. While the group now records independantly, it also averages between 150-200 concerts a year with performances taking place in just about every corner of the globe.
Solid as a Rock, they say… yeah, the phrase fits the name in so many different ways.
Quotes from the pros...
"It was the fall of '68, he was playing the Filmore with his band Tower of Power. I had heard the buzz on him, but this was the first time I had ever seen the kid play. It was amazing, he soloed from the beginning to the end of every tune. Imagine, in those days a bass player driving the band. It was awesome! I left feeling rejuvenated as a musician. I couldn't wait for the sun to come up the next morning so I could get to a music store and trade in my Strat for a bass."
Freddie Watson, Bassist
Soul Contenders, Toronto, Canada
"Part of my learning to play was actually listening to the radio and playing along with James Brown, The Beatles, Hendrix, and also horn bands like Chicago, Tower of Power and BS&T. When focusing on prominent parts, I was checking out Chuck Rainey, Verdine White and especially Rocco Prestia, whose lines I could only hope to figure out, and dream of someday being able to play."
Nathan East, Bassist
Fourplay, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Madonna
"Forget it man. The guy has not only been a serious influence on most of today's major league players, he actually founded the damn league. Going to see and hear Rocco Prestia play is like going back to school. He is the Master."
John Patitucci, Bassist / Instructor
Bass Collective, New York City