War, the American funk band known for hits like “Low Rider” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends”, was founded in 1969 in California. The band was especially popular throughout the 1970s, blending elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae into their sound. While War still tours and performs occasionally today, they are not as active as they were at the height of their popularity. However, their music continues to influence modern artists and their best-known songs remain radio staples.
Quick Answers
– War was founded in 1969 by Howard Scott and Harold Brown.
– Original members included Howard Scott, Harold Brown, Lee Oskar, Lonnie Jordan, B.B. Dickerson, Papa Dee Allen, and Charles Miller.
– They were one of the most successful funk bands of the 1970s, known for their eclectic, multicultural sound.
– Major hits include “Spill the Wine”, “The World Is a Ghetto”, “Why Can’t We Be Friends”, “Low Rider”, and “Summer”.
– War still performs occasionally today, but is not as active as their 1970s heyday.
– Original members Harold Brown, Lee Oskar, and Lonnie Jordan still tour as War.
– They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
– War influenced later funk & hip hop artists like Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tupac, and Cypress Hill.
– Their unique sound blended rock, funk, soul, jazz, Latin, reggae & more.
– They have released 18 studio albums to date since 1971.
Founding of the Band
The roots of War can be traced back to a California band called The Creators, formed in 1962. This band included musicians like Howard Scott and Harold Brown. In 1968, Howard Scott and Harold Brown formed a new band called The Nightshift that started playing clubs around Los Angeles. They were joined by saxophonist Charles Miller, organist Lonnie Jordan, guitarist Howard Scott, and drummer Papa Dee Allen.
In 1969, they added additional members like B.B. Dickerson on bass and Lee Oskar on harmonica. The first album “Eric Burdon Declares War” was recorded in 1969 after they had joined forces with British singer Eric Burdon of The Animals fame. Burdon suggested they change their name from The Nightshift to War. The band adopted this name, which they felt reflected their music’s themes of harmony and global unity in the midst of social unrest in the late 1960s.
Original Band Lineup
– Howard Scott – guitar, vocals
– Harold Brown – drums
– Lee Oskar – harmonica
– Lonnie Jordan – piano, organ
– B.B. Dickerson – bass
– Papa Dee Allen – percussion
– Charles Miller – saxophone
Rise to Fame in the 1970s
After their Eric Burdon collaboration album, War embarked on a solo career with their 1971 album “All Day Music”. This album included their first major hit single “All Day Music”. Over the next few years, War released a string of successful albums including “The World Is a Ghetto” (1972), “Deliver the Word” (1973), and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” (1975).
Some of their most popular and enduring singles that drove their rise to fame in the 70s funk/soul scene include:
– “Low Rider” (1975): Their biggest chart hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The grooving funk song is one of their signature tunes.
– “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” (1975): An anthemic call for peace with a catchy sing-along chorus. Also reached #6 on the Hot 100 charts.
– “The Cisco Kid” (1973): A funky, Latin-flavored ode to the fictional outlaw. Hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
– “The World Is a Ghetto” (1972): Title track and key single from their Billboard #1 album. A socially conscious song reflecting unrest and poverty in inner cities.
– “Slippin’ Into Darkness” (1971): Their first top 10 single, with its distinctive guitar and harmonica riffs.
– “Spill the Wine” (1970): Psychedelic tune from their Eric Burdon era that reached #3 on the charts.
Notable 1970s War Albums
Album | Year |
---|---|
All Day Music | 1971 |
The World Is a Ghetto | 1972 |
Deliver the Word | 1973 |
War Live | 1973 |
Why Can’t We Be Friends? | 1975 |
Platinum Jazz | 1977 |
Galaxy | 1977 |
Propelled by smooth harmonies, soulful grooves, and jazz-influenced arrangements, War became mainstream stars in the 70s, blendrhythms from rock, funk, soul, Latin, reggae, and more into an infectiously danceable sound. Their songs reflected both fun party themes like “Low Rider” along with social commentary on issues like poverty and racism. With their multicultural lineup and globally inspired music, War created a unique and original sound that made them one of the most distinctive bands of the 1970s.
Later Career from the 1980s Onward
While War remained popular throughout the late 1970s, their commercial success began to wane in the 1980s as musical tastes shifted. They released albums sporadically in the 80s and 90s, scaling back their activities. Some key later albums included “Outlaw” (1982), “Life (Is So Strange)” (1998), and “Platinum Jazz” (2001). Personnel changes also occurred, though some original members remained. Percussionist Papa Dee Allen passed away in 1988. Saxophonist Charles Miller was tragically murdered in 1980 outside a Los Angeles nightclub.
Despite less mainstream success, War kept touring smaller venues and festivals, focused more on live performance. They also saw a resurgence of popularity as hip hop artists began sampling War’s songs in the late 80s and 90s. Rapper Tupac Shakur’s samples of “Smile Happy” helped renew interest in the group for younger generations. Other rappers like Prince, Cypress Hill, and the Beastie Boys have sampled War over the years, introducing the band’s classic tracks to new audiences.
In 2008, War released a new album titled “War with Eric Burdon” featuring a reunion between the band and Eric Burdon. Original members Lonnie Jordan, Harold Brown, and Lee Oskar have continued to tour and record as War in recent years, keeping the band’s legacy alive. While not as prolific as during the 1970s, War still performs occasionally at concerts, festivals, and on tour. After 50 years, the band’s unique fusion of musical styles still inspires listeners to come together in the spirit of harmony.
War Members Currently Touring
– Lonnie Jordan – keyboards, vocals
– Harold Brown – drums
– Lee Oskar – harmonica
War’s Musical Legacy and Influence
War’s groundbreaking mix of funk, rock, soul, jazz, Latin, reggae, and pop influences made them pioneers in the world music genre. Their multicultural fusion sounded effortlessly smooth, yet innovative at the time. War blended musical creativity with messages of brotherhood and social consciousness, making their songs both thought-provoking and danceable.
Though War peaked commercially in the 1970s, their music continues to influence generations of later bands in funk, rock, pop, and hip hop. War was rightfully recognized in 2019 with their long overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some of the key ways War has made a lasting impact include:
– Fusing many genres into an appealing, original sound – War blended rock, soul, funk, jazz, Latin, reggae seamlessly at a time when this was groundbreaking. Their eclectic fusion inspired later bands to also transcend musical boundaries.
– Use of Latin rhythms and harmonies – War wove Afro-Cuban percussion and Latin grooves into rock and funk frameworks. They helped make Latin-infused rhythms more mainstream in popular music.
– Socially conscious lyrics reflecting 1970s turmoil – Songs like “The World Is a Ghetto” had messages about poverty, inequality, and racism that resonated with the times. War addressed social issues through appealing music.
– Influencing later funk, rock, and hip hop – Artists as wide-ranging as Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tupac Shakur, and Cypress Hill have named War as inspirations and sampled their grooves.
– Longevity across five decades – With over 18 albums to date and some original members still active, War has shown incredible longevity across changing musical eras. Few bands have remained relevant for as long.
– Blending harmonies and instrumental virtuosity – War paired smooth multi-part vocal harmonies with stellar solos and instrumentation. This made their sound warm and tight yet also musically advanced.
– Big hits spanning rock and R&B/funk charts – Chart-toppers like “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” and “Low Rider” demonstrated War’s huge crossover appeal to diverse audiences.
With timeless singles and a genre-melting style that was artistically ambitious yet also fun and accessible, War made an indelible mark on funk, soul, Latin pop, and the development of worldbeat music. Their songs of fellowship like “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” ring as true today as ever, reminding us music can bring people together across divides. Decades later, the band War remains an iconic musical treasure.
Major War Songs and Singles
Song | Year | Album | Chart Peak |
---|---|---|---|
“Spill the Wine” | 1970 | Eric Burdon Declares War | #3 Billboard Hot 100 |
“Slippin’ Into Darkness” | 1971 | All Day Music | #16 Billboard Hot 100 |
“The World Is a Ghetto” | 1972 | The World Is a Ghetto | #7 Billboard Hot 100 |
“The Cisco Kid” | 1973 | Deliver the Word | #2 Billboard Hot 100 |
“Gypsy Man” | 1973 | Deliver the Word | #8 Billboard Hot 100 |
“Why Can’t We Be Friends?” | 1975 | Why Can’t We Be Friends? | #6 Billboard Hot 100 |
“Low Rider” | 1975 | Why Can’t We Be Friends? | #1 Billboard Hot 100 |
“Summer” | 1976 | Greatest Hits | #7 Billboard Hot 100 |
Discography and Albums
Over an over 50 year career, funk band War released a total of 18 studio albums, along with numerous live albums, compilations, and singles. After their initial album with Eric Burdon in 1970, they embarked on a successful solo career. Some of their most notable albums include:
1971 – All Day Music
– War’s debut album after splitting from Eric Burdon. Included breakout hits “All Day Music” and “Slippin’ Into Darkness”
1972 – The World Is a Ghetto
– Their best selling and likely most influential album, reaching #1 on the charts. Title track and key single was a socially conscious funk hit.
1973 – Deliver the Word
– Continued their hot streak with singles “Gypsy Man” and “The Cisco Kid”, which hit #1 on the R&B charts
1975 – Why Can’t We Be Friends?
– Another milestone funk album, including their biggest hit “Low Rider” and iconic title track calling for world harmony.
1976 – Greatest Hits
– Compilation album that was also extremely successful. Included new hit track “Summer”.
1979 – The Music Band
– Experimented with more jazz and reggae flavors. First album without Charles Miller after his tragic death.
1982 – Outlaw
– Despite significant line-up changes, showed War still capable of catchy funk hits with the title track.
1994 – Peace Sign
– Reunion of sorts, with original members Lonnie Jordan, Lee Oskar, and B.B. Dickerson all contributing.
2008 – War with Eric Burdon
– A collaborative reunion album with Eric Burdon, revisiting the original War lineup’s sound.
War released their most recent studio album, Evolutionary, in 2014. Original member Lonnie Jordan has continued releasing albums under the name Lonnie Jordan’s WAR in recent years as well, keeping the band’s spirit alive even as personnel has changed. While their catalog may be confusing due to various partial reunions and offshoot projects, the band’s series of classic funk albums in the 1970s cemented their legacy and influence.
Conclusion
In summary, War is still active today, but is not touring and recording as extensively as during their popular heyday in the 1970s. Original members Harold Brown, Lonnie Jordan, and Lee Oskar still currently perform concerts under the name War, along with supporting musicians. Even with changes to their lineup over the decades, War’s spirit lives on through these long-time members and their timeless catalog of songs. Their unique fusion of rock, funk, soul, reggae, Latin, and jazz broke musical boundaries and influenced countless later bands. With over 50 years of history, 18 albums, and continued occasional concert performances, the band War retains an enduring musical legacy few groups can match. Their call for brotherhood and harmonious co-existence in songs like “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” remain as relevant today as ever. Though not as prolific as in the past, War still tours enough to share their one-of-a-kind music and message with both loyal longtime fans and newer generations of listeners.