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War

Background information
OriginLong Beach, California, United States
Genre(s)Funk
Rock
Latin
Brown-eyed soul
Jazz fusion
Years active1969–present
Label(s)United Artists Records
Rhino Records
MCA Records
ABC Records
Associated actsLowrider Band

War was an eclectic American funk band from California, known for the hit songs "Low Rider", "Spill the Wine" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?". Long Beach is a city located in southern California, USA, on the Pacific coast California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Latin music, includes the music of all countries in Latin America (and the Caribbean) and comes in many varieties Chicano rock is a rock music performed by Mexican American ( Chicano) groups or music with themes derived Fusion or more specifically jazz fusion or jazz rock, is a Musical genre that merges Jazz with elements of other styles of music particularly In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music United Artists Records was a Record label founded by Max E Youngstein of United Artists in 1958 initially to distribute Soundtracks Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty Record label and production company owned by Warner Music Group. MCA Records was an American -based record company owned by MCA Inc ABC Records started in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records the record label of Am-Par Record Corporation (a subsidiary of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. " Low Rider " is a song written by the band War and appearing on their album Why Can't We Be Friends?, released in 1975 " Spill the Wine " is a 1970 song performed by Eric Burdon and War. " Why Can't We Be Friends? " is a song by the band War from the album of the same name. Formed in 1969, War was the first and most successful musical crossover, fusing elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin music, R&B, and even reggae. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States Latin music, includes the music of all countries in Latin America (and the Caribbean) and comes in many varieties Reggae is a Music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s The band also transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multi-ethnic line-up. The band's diverse musical influences have made it an enduring influence, one that has sold over 50 million records to date. Although War's lyrics are often socio-political in nature, their music usually had a laid-back, California funk vibe. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The music has been sampled and recorded by many singers and groups, ranging from Janet Jackson to Korn to TLC. Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16 1966 is an American recording artist and entertainer Korn, occasionally typeset as KoЯn or KoRn, is an American Nu metal band from Bakersfield California, and is often credited with popularizing TLC was a Grammy Award -winning American Contemporary R&B, hip hop and pop group consisting of Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins

Contents

Beginnings

In 1962, the foundation of the band was laid when Howard E. Scott and Harold Brown formed a group called the Creators in Long Beach, California. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Howard E Scott (b March 15, 1946 in San Pedro Los Angeles California) is an American funk/rock guitarist and founding member of the successful Harold Ray Brown (born March 17, 1946 in Long Beach California) was a founding member of War, an American funk band in the 1970's and 2000s Long Beach is a city located in southern California, USA, on the Pacific coast California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Within a few years, they had added Charles Miller, B.B. Dickerson and Lonnie Jordan to the lineup. Charles Miller can refer to Charles Miller (actor Charles Miller (author, author of popular books on East African history Morris "B B" Dickerson (born August 3, 1949 in Torrance California) was the bass player for the 1970s Latin/funk group War Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan (born November 21, 1948 in San Diego California) was a founding member of War, an American Funk Lee Oskar and Papa Dee Allen later joined as well. Lee Oskar (b March 24, 1948 in Copenhagen Denmark) is a Danish Harmonica player notable for his contributions to the sound Papa Dee Allen (born Thomas Sylvester Allen July 18, 1931, in Wilmington Delaware, died 1988 was an American Musician They all shared a love of diverse styles of music, which they had absorbed living in the racially-mixed Los Angeles ghettos. The Creators recorded several singles on Dore Records while working with Jay Contreli, a saxophonist from the band Love. Love was an American Rock group of the late 1960s and early 1970s In 1968, the Creators became Nightshift (named because Brown worked nights at a steel yard) and started performing with Deacon Jones, a football player and singer. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. David D "Deacon" Jones (born December 9, 1938 in Eatonville, Florida) is a former American football Defensive end American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive Team sport known for mixing strategy with

The original War was the brainchild of veteran record producer Jerry Goldstein ("My Boyfriend's Back," "Hang on Sloopy," "I Want Candy") and rock legend Eric Burdon (ex-lead singer of the top British band the Animals). " Hang on Sloopy " is a song by the pop group The McCoys which was #1 in America in October 1965 and is the official rock song of the state of Eric Victor Burdon (born 11 May 1941, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne) is the former lead singer of The Animals and War The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s known in the United States as part of the British Invasion. "I first saw some of the guys who would eventually become War playing at the Rag Doll in North Hollywood, backing Deacon Jones, the pro football player, and knew immediately how potent these kids were," Goldstein said of his first exposure to the group. North Hollywood is a district in the San Fernando Valley region of the City of Los Angeles California. "I was friends with Eric and he was ready to throw in the towel on the music scene and return to Newcastle. Newcastle upon Tyne ( (often shortened to Newcastle) is a city and Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, England He was tired of the 'rock' thing and desperate for a fresh authentic sound. I called him the morning after I first saw the band and made him return to the club the next night with me. Lee Oskar was so blown away by what he had heard that he jumped on stage to jam with them. The guys were so sheltered, that they hadn't even heard of Eric or The Animals. I had them in the studio within a week, and the rest is history!"

The year was 1969, and the band had the nerve to carry the name War at a time when peace was the slogan in an anti-Vietnam America. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. "Our mission was to spread a message of brotherhood and harmony," states founder and singer/keyboardist Lonnie Jordan. Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan (born November 21, 1948 in San Diego California) was a founding member of War, an American Funk "Our instruments and voices became our weapons of choice and the songs our ammunition. We spoke out against racism, hunger, gangs, crimes, and turf wars, as we embraced all people with hope and the spirit of brotherhood. It's just as apropos today. "

Eric Burdon & War began playing live shows and immediately found themselves in front of sold-out audiences throughout Southern California before entering into the studio to record their debut album Eric Burdon Declares "War". Eric Burdon Declares "War" was the debut album for eclectic funk band Eric Burdon & War, which was released in 1970 The album's key track, the erotic, spaced-out, Latin-flavored "Spill the Wine", was an immediate worldwide hit and launched the band's career. " Spill the Wine " is a 1970 song performed by Eric Burdon and War.

1970s

Burdon and War toured extensively across Europe and the United States, garnering rave reviews from mainstream and music press alike. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the England's New Musical Express called War "the best live band I ever saw" after their first UK gig in London's Hyde Park. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a Popular music Magazine in the United Kingdom which has been Hyde Park is one of the largest Parks in central London, England and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner Musicians on both sides of the ocean were buzzing about this new band. Jimi Hendrix even jammed with War at Ronnie Scott's Club the night he died. James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) (November 27 1942 – September 18 1970 was an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter Ronnie Scott ( January 28 1927, in Aldgate, East London &ndash December 23 1996) was a British Jazz

A second Burdon and War album, a two-disc set, The Black-Man's Burdon, was released in 1970, before an exhausted and volatile Burdon left the band in the middle of its European tour. A double album is an audio Album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold (especially records and Compact Discs. The Black-Man's Burdon is a double LP by funk band Eric Burdon & War, released in 1970 Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Already starting to assert themselves, War finished the tour without him and returned to record an album.

The result was War's 1971 self-titled debut. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. While this album met with only modest success, it laid the groundwork for things to come. Later that year, the band released All Day Music, which included the hit singles "All Day Music" and "Slippin' into Darkness. All Day Music is the second Album by Funk group War. "All Day Music" is a mellow-sounding song " In 1972 the band's sound was refined and deepened with the release of The World Is a Ghetto; a gritty, celebratory, and reflective album which established War at the forefront of funk and brown-eyed soul. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The World is a Ghetto is an album released by the band War late in year 1972 Its first single, "The Cisco Kid," shipped gold and brought the band a following in the Hispanic community that has remained loyal to the group to this day. The Cisco Kid was a film radio television and comic book series based on the fictional Western character created by O Hispanic (hispano hispánico hispânico Hispānus adjective from ''Hispānia'', the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula) is a term that historically The thought-provoking title song fueled the album's rise to the number one spot on Billboard and was voted Billboard's Album of the Year. The Billboard charts are music sales airplay and digital ranking reports distributed to the general public by Billboard magazine See Billboard (Turkish magazine Billboard is a weekly American Magazine devoted to the Music industry

The next album, the slightly less gritty Deliver The Word (1973), contained the hits "Gypsy Man," and a re-recording of "Me And Baby Brother". Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. This album proved a real challenge for the band since the pressure of their previous hits and a lack of focus made concentration difficult. Despite these conditions, the album went on to sell nearly two million copies. It was 1975 when the Why Can't We Be Friends? album was released. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Why Can't We Be Friends? is a recording by War, recorded in 1974 and released in June 1975 It included "Low Rider", the universal lowrider anthem, and the satirical title track, a half-joking but irresistibly soulful tune that both applauded and laughed at overly-positive utopian funk songs. " Low Rider " is a song written by the band War and appearing on their album Why Can't We Be Friends?, released in 1975 A lowrider is a Car or Truck which has had its suspension system modified (sometimes with Hydraulic suspension so that it rides as

Exhausted from a non-stop schedule, the band took a year long hiatus from recording, but did release a greatest hits record which contained one new song, "Summer. A greatest hits album (sometimes referred to as a " best of " album is a Compilation album of successful previously released Songs by a particular " With its easy flowing style the single went gold and earned them even more success, peaking at #7 on the Billboard chart. However, the emerging disco craze began to threaten the popularity of War's gritty and socially aware funk rock. Disco is a Genre of dance-oriented music whose origins are hard to define Disco, with its programmed beats, slick production, and superficial lyrics, dominated the music scene; the unconstructed and free form street music that defined War was clearly not in vogue. Still, the group managed to attain success with the album Galaxy and its sleek, danceable title single. "Galaxy was inspired by Star Wars and just fit into the vibe of the time," Goldstein remembers. Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope (originally released as Star Wars) is a 1977 Space opera War's next project, coincidentally, would be a soundtrack album for the movie Youngblood in 1978. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar)

Later years

Although War would never rekindle the level of prosperity that was reached in the mid-’70s, it continued to record music, releasing the albums The Music Band (1979), The Music Band 2 (1980), and Outlaw (1982). This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) The singles "Outlaw," "You Got The Power," and "Cinco De Mayo" were warmly embraced by War fans. During the ’80s, War began to focus more on touring than recording. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. In the beginning it was difficult, with small crowds, bad venues and low pay, but the band persevered. "It was the spirit of survival and the belief we few remaining original members had in our music that carried us forward," reflects original member Lonnie Jordan.

The band's popularity has grown steadily ever since, as a result of increased television appearances; use of their music in film, television and advertising; and samples and versions by other recording artists. Sampling of War by hip hop artists was prevalent enough to merit the compilation album Rap Declares War in 1992, which was sanctioned by the band and intended in part to demonstrate their ongoing influence as well as introduce them to a younger audience. Hip hop is a cultural movement which developed in New York City in the 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latinos. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) This rather enlightened understanding of the sampling art and its promotional potential stood in contrast to the many lawsuits launched by other artists over sampling at the time. In 1994 the release of Peace Sign, an album well received by critics and fans, reinvigorated War's presence in the music scene. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) War now tours over 150 dates a year, in venues ranging from tens of thousands to a few dozen.

The band has also twice been honored by its hometown of Los Angeles, over a span of twenty years, for the positive contributions its music has made to the community.

The only original member in War's current lineup is Lonnie Jordan (keyboards). The largest group of the remaining members formed their own group, called the Lowrider Band. The Lowrider Band consists of four of the five surviving original core group members of the multi-platinum selling band War: Howard E It consists of the other four surviving original core group members of War: Howard E. Scott, B.B. Dickerson, Lee Oskar, and Harold Brown (Charles Miller was murdered in 1980 and Papa Dee Allen died of a heart attack in 1988). Howard E Scott (b March 15, 1946 in San Pedro Los Angeles California) is an American funk/rock guitarist and founding member of the successful Morris "B B" Dickerson (born August 3, 1949 in Torrance California) was the bass player for the 1970s Latin/funk group War Lee Oskar (b March 24, 1948 in Copenhagen Denmark) is a Danish Harmonica player notable for his contributions to the sound Harold Brown may refer to Harold Brown (basketball (1923 -) Harold P Charles Miller ( July 2, 1939 - 14 June 1980) was an American musician best known as the Saxophonist for multicultural Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Papa Dee Allen (born Thomas Sylvester Allen July 18, 1931, in Wilmington Delaware, died 1988 was an American Musician Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) These members lost the right in court to use and tour under the name War.

On Friday 8th February 2008, it was announced that Eric Burdon & War would reunite for the first time in 37 years to perform a one-time-only concert at the London Royal Albert Hall on Monday 21st April 2008. The reunion was actually only between Eric Burdon and Lonnie Jordan, as the other original surviving members had not been asked to be a part of the reunion.

The rare reunion concert coincided with Avenue/Rhino Records' major Eric Burdon and War reissues campaign that included the re-release of the two 1970 albums 'Eric Burdon Declares War' and 'The Black-Man's Burdon'. Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty Record label and production company owned by Warner Music Group. The final re-releases in the campaign are entitled 'The Best of Eric Burdon and War' and 'The War Anthology'.

Jerry Goldstein's Far Out Productions and Avenue Records own War's entire recorded output which is licensed to Rhino Records.

Members

Original Members

(Main instruments listed, they all sang and played various percussion instruments)

Later members

Discography

All listed albums are currently available from Avenue Records through Rhino Records. Eric Victor Burdon (born 11 May 1941, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne) is the former lead singer of The Animals and War Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Morris "B B" Dickerson (born August 3, 1949 in Torrance California) was the bass player for the 1970s Latin/funk group War Bass (pronounced like the word "base" refers to a variety of Musical instruments that can be collectively regarded as bass instruments since they produce Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. 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A bandleader is the leader of a band of Musicians The term is most commonly though not exclusively used with a group that plays Popular music as The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Rick Braun (born July 6, 1955 in Allentown Pennsylvania) is a Smooth jazz Trumpet player The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical- bored transposing Musical instrument considered a member of the Woodwind J B Eckl (/ˈɛkəɫ/ is a Canadian Songwriter, producer, and recording artist. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical- bored transposing Musical instrument considered a member of the Woodwind The flute is a Musical instrument of the Woodwind family Unlike other woodwind instruments a flute is a Reedless wind instrument that produces its The flute is a Musical instrument of the Woodwind family Unlike other woodwind instruments a flute is a Reedless wind instrument that produces its The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical- bored transposing Musical instrument considered a member of the Woodwind Bass (pronounced like the word "base" refers to a variety of Musical instruments that can be collectively regarded as bass instruments since they produce A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical- bored transposing Musical instrument considered a member of the Woodwind The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical- bored transposing Musical instrument considered a member of the Woodwind Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. A harmonica is a free reed Wind instrument which is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes (reed chambers or Bass (pronounced like the word "base" refers to a variety of Musical instruments that can be collectively regarded as bass instruments since they produce Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. The flute is a Musical instrument of the Woodwind family Unlike other woodwind instruments a flute is a Reedless wind instrument that produces its The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical- bored transposing Musical instrument considered a member of the Woodwind Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Bass (pronounced like the word "base" refers to a variety of Musical instruments that can be collectively regarded as bass instruments since they produce Bass (pronounced like the word "base" refers to a variety of Musical instruments that can be collectively regarded as bass instruments since they produce The organ (from Greek όργανον – organon "organ instrument tool" is a Keyboard instrument of one or more divisions each Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. The conga is tall narrow single-headed Cuban Drum of African origin probably derived from the Congolese Makuta drums or Sikulu Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty Record label and production company owned by Warner Music Group.

Albums

Singles

References

External links

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