Musician. A multiple brass instrumentalist, he will be remembered for his work as a member of the 1970's ensemble "Tower of Power". Born into a musically-inclined family, his father Ray Gillette was a trombonist with Harry James, Tommy Dorsey and Stan Kenton. His talents were visible by the age of four, when he began to play the trumpet and interpret music. At the age of fifteen, in 1966, he became a member of the group "The Gotham City Crime Fighters" who later changed their name to "Tower of Power". During the height of their popularity, they scored Top-30 hits with "You're Still a Young Man" (1972), "So Very Hard to Go" (1973) and "Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream)" (1974). In addition, Gillette recorded and performed with the groups "Cold Blood", "Sons of Champlin", "Blood, Sweat and Tears" and "The Doobie Brothers". From 2009 until 2011, he returned to the "Tower of Power" lineup and performed on tours. When not performing, he worked as a music teacher in the San Francisco Bay-area. Gillette suffered from heart related issues decades prior to his death from a heart attack.
Musician. A multiple brass instrumentalist, he will be remembered for his work as a member of the 1970's ensemble "Tower of Power". Born into a musically-inclined family, his father Ray Gillette was a trombonist with Harry James, Tommy Dorsey and Stan Kenton. His talents were visible by the age of four, when he began to play the trumpet and interpret music. At the age of fifteen, in 1966, he became a member of the group "The Gotham City Crime Fighters" who later changed their name to "Tower of Power". During the height of their popularity, they scored Top-30 hits with "You're Still a Young Man" (1972), "So Very Hard to Go" (1973) and "Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream)" (1974). In addition, Gillette recorded and performed with the groups "Cold Blood", "Sons of Champlin", "Blood, Sweat and Tears" and "The Doobie Brothers". From 2009 until 2011, he returned to the "Tower of Power" lineup and performed on tours. When not performing, he worked as a music teacher in the San Francisco Bay-area. Gillette suffered from heart related issues decades prior to his death from a heart attack.
Bio by: C.S.
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