http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/01/12/train-strikes-two-oakland-jack-london-square/#.WHhjxdaRKKY.twitter

OAKLAND (CBS SF) — Two members of famed Bay Area R&B group Tower of Power were hit by a train as they walked across tracks before a scheduled gig Thursday evening in Oakland’s Jack London Square.

The accident happened around 7:30 p.m. near Yoshi’s jazz club, where the group had been scheduled to play two shows Thursday night. Both were canceled.

Yoshi’s general manager, Hal Campos, told KPIX 5 he called 911 and stayed with the two injured men until help came. They were both unconscious and appeared to have broken bones

Campos said.

“We don’t know if they didn’t hear the train. We don’t know how this tragedy happened but we’re very, very sad about this. The band is emotionally destroyed … all of us worked with them for days now and many years, it’s really sad,” Campos said

The group’s manager Jeremy Westby said in a statement Thursday night that drummer David Garibaldi and bass player Marc van Wageningen are both responsive and being treated at a hospital.

Sheila E tweeted: “Please pray for … bassist Marc Van Wageningen, drummer Dave Garibaldi for Tower of Power hit by a train in front of Yoshi’s in Oakland.”

The group of about a dozen musicians, mostly horns, has been a popular institution in the R&B world since forming in Oakland in 1968.

Thanks for posting this. I meant to when I saw the story last night. Tower of Power have always been an amazing group. I would hope that Prince fans have listened to TOP in the past and really dug into their work. They'll hear a lot of Prince's influences when it comes to arrangement with horns, and the songs overall.

Just in case folks forgot: Prince sampled (replayed) part of "Squibcakes" on "Sleep Around" from Emancipation. He's probably played TOP songs at after shows in the past, I would imagine.

I hope the TOP guys heal soon.

He played "What Is Hip?" at the House of Blues LA aftershow during the Musicology Tour. I was about four feet from Sheila's kit that night. That was a GREAT night!

hardwork said:

He played "What Is Hip?" at the House of Blues LA aftershow during the Musicology Tour. I was about four feet from Sheila's kit that night. That was a GREAT night!

Ohhh, that would have been great to see!

It's been many years since I saw TOP. I hope they have a full recovery soon.

"Urban Renewal" is one of my all-time favorite albums. Wishing a speedy recovery to the fellas...