Soul band wraps up 8-day tour of the West Coast

For almost three decades, Tower of Power has performed soul music to near sell-out crowds across the nation. The band's Friday night appearance in Tucson was no different, after a stop at the packed Rialto Theater.

For 29 years the 10-member band has been answering the question of "What is Hip?" - which is also the title of the group's recent greatest hits album and 16th release.

The crowd, which numbered about 1,200, nearly filled the venue.

The group began its set with a medley that included its signature tune, "What is Hip?" and the first half of the brass instrumental "Going Back to Oakland" - the city where the group has its roots.

Emilio Castillo, the group's founder, formed Tower of Power in 1968 under the name The Motowns. After some member changes, the band was renamed Tower of Power with the release of its album "East Bay Grease" in 1971.