RICK STEVENS, FORMER LEAD SINGER FOR THE MULTI RACIAL R&B BAND TOWER OF POWER, DIES AT 77!

September 6th, 2017 | Add a Comment

Former Tower of Power lead singer Rick Stevens died Tuesday after a battle with cancer.—

Stevens replaced Rufus Miller in the R&B band in 1969 and three years later, their album “Bump City” put Tower of Power in the national spotlight with hit singles like “You’re Still a Young Man.”In 1976, Stevens, who had left the band shortly after their big hit, was now addicted to drugs and shot three men to death during a deal gone wrong.

He was sentenced to life in prison, where he kicked his addiction before being released on parole in 2012 after 36 years behind bars.

Several years after his release, Stevens formed a new band, “Rick Stevens & Love Power” and toured in northern California.

“Rick Stevens went to heaven today to be with the Lord whom he loved with all his heart. 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,” Tower of Power founder Emilio Castillo wrote on the band’s Facebook page.

“We loved him and we’ll miss him. I have faith that I’ll see him in heaven someday and together we’ll worship and glorify God together for eternity. Rick is there right now enjoying it!!!”

Ex-wife Georgina Stevenson also mourned the musician’s death.

“My beloved Rick passed away this morning after a brief struggle with liver cancer, surrounded by his loving family,” she wrote on his website. “For 41 years Rick was the biggest and best part of my life; I will miss him very much, and love him forever.”