War

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In 1848, after the war between America and Mexico, a great deal of land was ceded to America and leaders had to decide whether these new territories should allow slavery. Contention in the US over the slavery issue had been growing, and in an attempt to settle this and avert secession of southern states, Senator Henry Clay proposed his Compromise of 1850. Under this plan, the question of slavery in new territories would be resolved by the inhabitants of those areas. This paved the way for the new state of California to be established as a free state, on this date in 1850. Today, with some 36 million inhabitants, California has grown to become America's most populous state; it is ranked third in size.

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War

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For The Record...

Original members include Papa Dee Allen (born July 19, 1931; died of a brain aneurysm, 1989), vocals and percussion; Harold Brown, (born March 17, 1946; left band, 1983; rejoined, 1993) vocals and percussion; B. B. Dickerson (born August 3, 1949; left band, 1979); Jerry Goldstein, cowriter and producer; Lonnie Jordan (born November 21, 1948), vocals and keyboards; Charles Miller (born June 21, 1939; died, 1980; left band, 1979), flute and saxophone; Lee Oskar (born March 24, 1948, in Copenhagen, Denmark; left group, 1993), harmonica; Peter Rosen (died of a drug overdose, early 1960s); Howard Scott (born March 15, 1946), vocals and guitar.

Later members include Kerry Campbell (joined band, 1994), saxophone; Charles Green (joined band, 1994), saxophone; Ron Hammon (joined band, 1978), drums; Tetsuya “Tex” Nakamura (joined band, 1994), harp and harmonica; Sal Rodriguez (joined band, 1994), percussion; Tweed Smith (bandmember 1982-83), vocals; Rae Valentine (born Harold Rae Brown, Jr.; son of bandmember Harold Brown; joined band, 1994), keyboards.

Group formed as the Creators, Los Angeles, 1960; reformed as the Night Shift, 1968; re-formed again as War with Eric Burdon, 1969; released first albums with Burdon on MGM, 1970; released first solo album, War, on United Artists, 1971; released 12 albums, including one more with Burdon, 1970s; released three more albums, early 1980s; returned with Rap Declares War, Avenue, 1992.

Addresses: Publicist—Sandy Friedman, Rogers & Cowan, 10000 Santa Monica Blvd., #400, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Record company—Avenue Records, 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90025.

Rock band

War, a nine-member, Los Angeles-based group noted throughout the 1970s for their fusion of rock, Latin jazz, funk, and rhythm and blues, released their first major label album, Peace Sign, in June of 1994 after a 13-year recording hiatus. Hip-hop music and rap samples of War’s material from the 1970s revived an interest in the group in the 1990s, as did brief snippets of War’s music heard briefly on film soundtracks and on television commercials. War’s most sampled hit songs are "Why Can’t We Be Friends?," "The World Is a Ghetto," "Low Rider," and "Cisco Kid."

Although War occasionally toured clubs and festivals during the 1980s and early 1990s, recording an album proved difficult because the band struggled with the loss of many of its original members. War is comprised of Kerry Campbell (saxophone), Sal Rodriguez (percussion), Tetsuya "Tex" Nakamura (harmonica), Charles Green (saxophone), Rae Valentine (keyboards), Lonnie Jordan (keyboards, bass, vocals), Howard Scott (guitar, vocals), Ron Hammon (drums, vocals), and Harold Brown (drums, vocals). Founding member Lee Oskar

left the band in December of 1993—after 24 years with the group—and was replaced by harmonica player Tetsuya "Tex" Nakamura, a blues harpist from Japan. Original band member Papa Dee Allen collapsed on stage while playing "Gypsy Man" during a concert in 1989 and died shortly thereafter of a brain aneurysm; founding band member Charles Miller left the band in 1979.

Remaining original War bandmembers include guitarist Howard Scott, drummer Harold Brown, drummer Ron Hammon (who joined in 1978), and keyboard player Lonnie Jordan. Percussionist Sal Rodriguez played in the bands Tierra and El Chicano before joining. War keyboardist Rae Valentine is Harold Brown’s son, a legacy Brown passed on to the next generation of War enthusiasts. Brown left the band from 1983 to 1993.

Began With Eric Burdon
In 1962 original War members Scott and Brown formed a rhythm and blues cover band called the Creators and eventually added Jordan, Dickerson, and Miller. The Creators often opened for Ike and Tina Turner when they played in Los Angeles. The Creators were forced to dissolve when guitarist Scott was drafted; he was called for military duty in the mid-1960s for two years. When Scott returned to Los Angeles after his tour of duty, the Creators reunited briefly.

In 1968 Scott, Brown, Miller, and Jordan formed a new band called the Night Shift. Producer and songwriter Jerry Goldstein heard the band play during one of their rehearsals and decided the band would complement the vocal style of Eric Burdon, formerly of the Animals. The Night Shift became War in early 1969. The name "War" was chosen for the band to offset the fact that the word "peace" was bandied about constantly in pop culture.

Burdon liked the band and decided to tour with them in 1969. Their first concert was at the Devonshire Pop Festival, a three-day event in the Los Angeles area that attracted 100,000 people. Eric Burdon and War followed Credence Clearwater at the festival. Burdon and War released an album in 1970 titled Eric Burdon Declares "War. "The gold-selling album reached Number 18 on the music charts and its single "Spill the Wine" reached Number Three. War played Ronnie Scott’s London jazz club in 1970 with Jimi Hendrix—Hendrix’s last concert before his death. Hendrix and War played the Memphis Slim song "Mother Earth" together. War recorded three albums with Eric Burdon in 1970 and 1971, one of which was not released for five years. Love Is All Around was recorded in 1971 and released in 1976.

Multiple Top 40 Hits
In 1971 War and Eric Burdon divided to become solo acts. The move was prompted by an experience War band members had with Burdon. In 1970 Burdon vanished in the middle of a European tour, and War was forced to appear without him, hoping audience members at concerts wouldn’t demand refunds. War’s solo shows sold out, much to their delight, and the band knew they would be well received on their own.

War’s breakthrough album, All Day Music, which sold almost two million copies and reached Number 16 on the Billboard pop music chart, was released in 1971. Two of the album’s singles became Top 40 hits: "All Day Music" and "Slippin’ Into Darkness." In 1972 War released The World Is a Ghetto. This album became the best-selling album of 1973. The singles "Cisco Kid" and "The World Is a Ghetto" both went gold, and War was established as a major musical force. The double album War Live was released in 1974, featuring the Top 40 single "Ballero." From 1975 to 1981 War released seven more albums, including Why Can’t We Be Friends?, each meeting with acclaim and enthusiastic response.

War and Peace
Avenue Records CEO Jerry Goldstein is credited with having urged War back into the recording realm. War’s cowriter since the band’s inception, Goldstein produced all of the band’s major hits in the 1970s and then gained possession of the band’s copyrights and masters in the mid-1980s. Avenue Records reissued much of War’s back catalog on CD in the 1990s, which fueled a renewed interest in the band. The fact that War was sampled so liberally by the rap and hip-hop community in the 1990s create mixed feelings for War’s bandmem-bers, who alternately felt flattered and robbed. War bandmember Howard Scott told Billboard’s Jon Cum-mings, "Instead of suing, we decided to do that record and make peace with the rap community."

Avenue Records released a compilation record in 1992 titled Rap Declares War, which featured War bandmem-bers with the rap musicians who had sampled their music. Some of the War-struck rappers on the album included De La Soul, Poor Righteous Teachers, Brand Nubian, Nice ’N Smooth, Beastie Boys, Ice-T, Wreckx-N-Effect, Kid Frost, and 2Pac. This album cemented War’s tie-in with the hip-hop and rap community and highlighted how much the band had in common with the musicians who had sampled War’s music.

South Central Environs
In its early days, War drew its flavor from South Central Los Angeles. South Central also inspired a lion’s share of later rappers, such as N.W.A. and Ice-T. War’s message, however, is decidedly different than that of the "gangsta" rappers from the same environment. Anger, urban violence, and despair are replaced with optimism, understanding, peace, and hope in War’s music. The band provides positive messages, as evidenced in the singles "Peace Sign," "What If," and "Let Me Tell Ya." "Instead of throwing up gang signs, we’re throwing up peace signs," Scott told Cummings.

War aims to be multifaceted and to provide varying formats for its music. The band is equal parts Latino, black, and white, so War hopes to be able to appeal to a wide range of listeners. Vibe magazine’s Richard Torres described War and its music as "user-friendly funk for the’90s…light on the feet and easy on the hips," and "a laid-back groove factory with a conscience." Jazz, rhythm and blues, rock, and Latin melodies are frequently combined in War’s songs to create a distinctive multilayered sound, slightly reminiscent of each style.

After a 13-year absense from the recording studio, War released Peace Sign in 1994—the band’s eighteenth major label album—produced by Jerry Goldstein and War band member Lonnie Jordan. The single "East L.A." is a West Coast version of Ben E. King’s "Spanish Harlem" with Jose Feliciano contributing vocals. Some of the album’s singles are beautiful ballads, others are reminiscent of War’s previous hits in the 1970s, and others reveal experimentation and an unbridled, fresh approach to their music.

War released Peace Sign in 1994 because the band still has much to say about American society. In "Homeless Hero" on Peace Sign, War sings about a Vietnam War veteran who grapples with drugs, alcohol, and a society that no longer finds him useful. War’s Harold Brown told Goldmine’s Steve Roeser "We’re more ’street.’… We’re more ground-zero, more ground level. We’re the kind of guys who can go into south Los Angeles or go to the projects or the barrio… and every day that we live… it’s because of music."

Selected discography

As the Creators
Little Johnny Hamilton and the Creators, Dore Records, 1965.

With Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon Declares War (includes "Spill The Wine"), MGM, 1970.
The Black Man’s Burdon, MGM, 1970.
Love Is All Around, ABC, 1976.

Without Eric Burdon
War, United Artists, 1971.
All Day Music, Far Out/UA, 1971.
The World Is a Ghetto, Far Out/UA, 1972.
Deliver the Word, UA, 1973.
Radio Free War, UA, 1973.
War Live, Far Out/UA, 1974.
Why Can’t We Be Friends?, Far Out/UA, 1975.
War’s Greatest Hits, Far Out/UA, 1977.
Platinum Jazz, Blue Note, 1977.
Galaxy, MCA, 1977.
Youngblood (soundtrack), UA, 1978.
The Music Band, MCA, 1978.
The Music Band, Part 2, MCA, 1979.
Best of the Music Band, MCA, 1981.
Outlaw, RCA, 1982.
Life Is So Strange, RCA, 1983.
The Best of War … And More, Avenue, 1987.
Rap Declares War, Avenue, 1992.
War, Avenue, 1992.
Peace Sign, Avenue/Rhino, 1994.
Anthology 1970-1994, Avenue, 1994.

Sources
Billboard, June 14, 1994.
Goldmine, September 2, 1994.
Vibe, August 1994.
Additional information for this profile was provided by Avenue Records publicity materials.

AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Artists:

War

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Genres: Rhythm & Blues

Biography

One of the most popular funk groups of the '70s, War were also one of the most eclectic, freely melding soul, Latin, jazz, blues, reggae, and rock influences into an effortlessly funky whole. Although War's lyrics were sometimes political in nature (in keeping with their racially integrated lineup), their music almost always had a sunny, laid-back vibe emblematic of their Southern California roots. War kept the groove loose, and they were given over to extended jamming -- in fact, many of their studio songs were edited together out of longer improvisations. Even if the jams sometimes got indulgent, they demonstrated War's truly group-minded approach: no one soloist or vocalist really stood above the others (even though all were clearly talented), and their grooving interplay placed War in the top echelon of funk ensembles.

The roots of War lay in an R&B cover band called the Creators. Guitarist Howard Scott and drummer Harold Brown started the group in 1962 while attending high school in the Compton area, and three years later, the lineup also featured keyboardist Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan, bassist Morris "B.B." Dickerson, and saxophonist/flutist Charles Miller (all of them sang). The group had an appetite for different sounds right from the start, ranging from R&B to blues to the Latin music they'd absorbed while growing up in the racially mixed ghettos of Los Angeles. Despite a two-year hiatus following Scott's induction into the service, they released several singles locally on Dore Records (their first, "Burn Baby Burn," was with singer Johnny Hamilton), and backed jazz saxophonist Jay Contreli, formerly of the psychedelic band Love; they also went by the names the Romeos and Señor Soul during this period. In 1968, the band was reconfigured and dubbed Nightshift; Peter Rosen was the new bassist, and percussionist Thomas Sylvester "Papa Dee" Allen, who'd previously played with Dizzy Gillespie, came onboard, along with two more horn players. B.B. Dickerson later returned when Rosen died of a drug overdose. In 1969, Nightshift began backing football star Deacon Jones (a defensive end for the L.A. Rams) during his singing performances in a small club, where they were discovered by producer Jerry Goldstein. Goldstein suggested the band as possible collaborators to former Animals lead singer Eric Burdon, who along with Danish-born harmonica player Lee Oskar (born Oskar Levetin Hansen) had been searching L.A. clubs for a new act.

After witnessing Nightshift in concert, Burdon took charge of the group. He gave them a provocative new name, War, and replaced the two extra horn players with Oskar. To develop material, War began playing marathon concert jams over which Burdon would free-associate lyrics. In August 1969, Burdon and War entered the studio for the first time, and after some more touring, they recorded their first album, 1970's Eric Burdon Declares War. The spaced-out daydream of "Spill the Wine" was a smash hit, climbing to number three and establishing the group in the public eye. A second album, The Black Man's Burdon, was released before the year's end, and over the course of two records it documented the group's increasingly long improvisations (as well as Burdon's growing tendency to ramble). It also featured War's first recorded vocal effort on "They Can't Take Away Our Music." Burdon's contract allowed War to be signed separately, and they soon inked a deal with United Artists, intending to record on their own as well as maintaining their partnership with Burdon. However, Burdon -- citing exhaustion -- suddenly quit during the middle of the group's European tour in 1971, spelling the beginning of the end; he rejoined War for a final U.S. tour and then left for good.

War had already issued their self-titled, Burdon-less debut at the beginning of 1971, but it flopped. Before the year was out, they recorded another effort, All Day Music, which spawned their first Top 40 hits in "All Day Music" and "Slippin' Into Darkness"; the album itself was a million-selling Top 20 hit. War really hit their stride on the follow-up album, 1972's The World Is a Ghetto; boosted by a sense of multicultural harmony, it topped the charts and sold over three million copies, making it the best-selling album of 1973. It also produced two Top Ten smashes in "The Cisco Kid" (which earned them a fervent following in the Latino community) and the title ballad. 1973's Deliver the Word was another million-selling hit, reaching the Top Ten and producing the Top Ten single "Gypsy Man" and another hit in "Me and Baby Brother." However, it had less of the urban grit that War prided themselves on; while taking some time to craft new material and rethink their direction, War consolidated their success with the double concert LP War Live, recorded over four nights in Chicago during 1974.

Released in 1975, Why Can't We Be Friends returned to the sound of The World Is a Ghetto with considerable success. The bright, anthemic title track hit the Top Ten, as did "Low Rider," an irresistible slice of Latin funk that became the group's first (and only) R&B chart-topper, and still stands as their best-known tune. 1976 brought the release of a greatest-hits package featuring the new song "Summer," which actually turned out to be War's final Top Ten pop hit; the same year, Oskar released his first solo album, backed by members of Santana. A double-LP compilation of jams and instrumentals appeared on the Blue Note jazz label in 1977, under the title Platinum Jazz; it quickly became one of the best-selling albums in Blue Note history, and produced an R&B-chart smash with an edited version of "L.A. Sunshine."

Yet disco was beginning to threaten the gritty, socially aware funk War specialized in. Later in 1977, the band switched labels, moving to MCA for Galaxy; though it sold respectably, and the disco-tinged title track was a hit on the R&B charts, it fizzled on the pop side, and proved to be the last time War would hit the Top 40. After completing the Youngblood soundtrack album in 1978, the original War lineup began to disintegrate. Dickerson left during the recording of 1979's The Music Band (which featured new female vocalist Alice Tweed Smith), and not long after, Charles Miller was murdered in a robbery attempt. After The Music Band was released, the remaining members attempted to refashion their image to fit the glitz of the era, and added some new personnel: bassist Luther Rabb, percussionist Ronnie Hammon, and saxophonist Pat Rizzo (ex-Sly & the Family Stone). The Music Band 2 flopped, and the group was thrown into disarray; Smith exited, and the follow-up took an uncharacteristic three years to prepare. Released in 1982, Outlaw was a moderate success; the title track was a Top 20 R&B hit, and "Cinco de Mayo" became a Latino holiday standard. Yet it didn't restore War's commercial standing. Rizzo left later in the year; Harold Brown followed in 1983, after Life Is So Strange flopped; and Rabb was replaced with Ricky Green in 1984. In the years that followed, War was essentially a touring outfit and nothing more. Papa Dee Allen collapsed and died on-stage of a brain aneurysm in 1988, leaving Jordan, Hammon, Oskar, and Scott as the core membership (Oskar would finally leave in 1992). Interest in War's classic material remained steady, however, thanks to frequent sampling of their grooves by hip-hop artists. 1992's Rap Declares War paired the band with a variety of rappers, paving the way for the 1994 comeback attempt Peace Sign; for that record, Brown returned on drums, and Jordan (now on bass), Scott, and Hammon were joined by saxophonists Kerry Campbell and Charles Green, percussionist Sal Rodriguez, harmonica player Tetsuya "Tex" Nakamura, and Brown's son, programmer Rae Valentine (plus guests Lee Oskar and José Feliciano). The album failed to chart, however, and the group returned to the touring circuit. Brown and Scott left the lineup in 1997. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi

Wikipedia on Answers.com:

War (band)

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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2008)

War
Original lineup in 1976
Background information
Also known as	Eric Burdon and War
Origin	Long Beach, California, U.S.
Genres	Funk, electric blues, soul, R&B, funk rock, reggae fusion, Latin
Years active	1969–present
Labels	MGM, ABC, United Artists, MCA, RCA, Avenue, Rhino
Associated acts	Eric Burdon Lowrider Band The Animals Señor Soul

War (originally called Eric Burdon and War) is an American funk band from California, known for the hit songs "Low Rider", "Spill the Wine", "The Cisco Kid" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?". Formed in 1969, War was a musical crossover band which fused elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae.^[1] The band also transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multi-ethnic line-up. The band has sold over 50 million records to date.^{[citation needed]}

Although War's lyrics are often socio-political in nature, their music usually had a laid-back, California funk vibe. A particular feature of War's sound is the use of harmonica and saxophone playing melody lines in unison, sounding like a single instrument, for example in the melody of "Low Rider". The music has been sampled and recorded by many singers and groups, ranging from R&B / pop singers such as Janet Jackson to nu metal band Korn and hip hop groups like TLC.

Contents

1 1960s: Beginnings
2 1970s: Height of popularity
3 1980s: The Music Band
4 1990s: Reformations
5 2000s: Recent activity
- 5.1 Lawsuit
6 Discography
7 Members
8 References
9 External links

1960s: Beginnings

In 1962, Howard E. Scott and Harold Brown formed a group called The Creators in Long Beach, California. Within a few years, they had added Charles Miller, Morris "B. B." Dickerson and Lonnie Jordan to the lineup. Lee Oskar and Papa Dee Allen later joined as well. 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 Tjay Contrelli, a saxophonist from the band Love. 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.

The original War was conceived by record producer Jerry Goldstein ("My Boyfriend's Back", "Hang on Sloopy", "I Want Candy") and singer Eric Burdon (ex-lead singer of the British band the Animals). In 1969, Goldstein saw musicians who would eventually become War playing at the Rag Doll in North Hollywood, backing Deacon Jones, and he was attracted to the band's sound. Jordan claimed that the band's goal was to spread a message of brotherhood and harmony, using instruments and voices to speak out against racism, hunger, gangs, crimes, and turf wars, and promote hope and the spirit of brotherhood.^{[citation needed]} Eric Burdon and War began playing live shows to audiences throughout Southern California before entering into the studio to record their debut album Eric Burdon Declares "War". The album's best known track, "Spill the Wine", was a hit and launched the band's career.

1970s: Height of popularity

Eric Burdon and War toured extensively across Europe and the United States. A reviewer from England's New Musical Express called War "the best live band I ever saw" after their first UK gig in London's Hyde Park.^{[citation needed]} A second Eric Burdon and War album, a two-disc set titled The Black-Man's Burdon was released in 1970, before Burdon left the band in the middle of its European tour. They finished the tour without him and returned to record their first album as War.

War (1971) met with only modest success, but later that year, the band released All Day Music which included the singles "All Day Music" and "Slippin' into Darkness". The latter single sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in June 1972.^[2] In 1972 they released The World Is a Ghetto which was even more successful. Its second single, "The Cisco Kid" shipped gold,^{[citation needed]} and the album attained the number one spot on Billboard, and was Billboard magazine's Album of the Year as the best-selling album of 1973.

The next album, Deliver The Word (1973) contained the hits "Gypsy Man," and a studio version of "Me And Baby Brother" (previously issued as a live recording), which peaked at number 8 and 15 respectively on the Billboard chart. The album went on to sell nearly two million copies.^{[citation needed]} The next album, Why Can't We Be Friends? was released in 1975. It included "Low Rider", and the title track, which were among the band's biggest hits.

In 1976, War released a greatest hits record which contained one new song "Summer", which, as a single, went gold and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard chart. Also released that year were Love is All Around by Eric Burdon and War, containing mostly unreleased recordings from 1969 and 1970, and Platinum Jazz, a one-off album for jazz label Blue Note Records. The latter double album had cover art to match the greatest hits album, and was half new material and half compilation, focusing on (but not restricted to) instrumental music. The group continued to attain success with their next album, Galaxy (1977) whose title single was inspired by Star Wars. War's next project was a soundtrack album for the movie Youngblood in 1978.

1980s: The Music Band

In 1979, following the departure of B.B. Dickerson during recording sessions for their next album (replaced by Luther Rabb on bass who completed the album), the band considered changing their name to The Music Band, but decided at the last minute to continue as War, and use The Music Band as the title of a series of albums. The series originally consisted of two studio albums (The Music Band, The Music Band 2, both in 1979) and a live album (The Music Band Live, 1980), but after the band left MCA in 1981 and had already made records for other labels, MCA expanded the series with a compilation (The Best of the Music Band, 1982) and a third original album of left-over material (The Music Band – Jazz, 1983).

The group lost another member when Charles Miller (saxophone) was murdered in 1980. He had already been replaced by Pat Rizzo (ex Sly and the Family Stone) in 1979. Other new members joining at this time were Alice Tweed Smith (credited as "Tweed Smith" and "Alice Tweed Smyth" on various albums) on percussion and vocals (giving the band its first female vocalist), and Ronnie Hammon as a third drummer.

After making the one-off single "Cinco de Mayo" for LA Records in 1981 (Jerry Goldstein's own label, which also reissued Eric Burdon Declares "War" under the title Spill the Wine the same year), War signed with RCA Victor Records and recorded Outlaw (1982) which included the single plus additional singles "You Got the Power", "Outlaw", and "Just Because". This was followed by Life (is So Strange) (1983) from which the title track was also a single. War's records from 1979 to 1983 were not as successful as those from the preceding decade, and after the two RCA albums, the band's activities became sporadic. They did not record another full album until a decade later. The 1987 compilation album The Best of War ...and More included two new tracks, "Livin' in the Red" and "Whose Cadillac is That?", and a remixed version of "Low Rider" (in addition to the original version). Papa Dee Allen died of a heart attack (myocardial infarction) which struck him onstage in 1988.

1990s: Reformations

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.

In 1993, War reformed with most surviving previous members (including original members Brown, Jordan, Oskar and Scott, and later members Hammon and Rizzo), augmented by a large line-up of supporting musicians and still under the management and production of Jerry Goldstein, and released a new album, (Peace Sign) (1994). This remains as War's latest original work.

In 1996, the group attempted to gain independence from Goldstein, but were unable to do so under the name "War" which remains a trademark owned by Goldstein and Far Out Productions.^[3] In response, Brown, Oskar, Scott, and a returning B.B. Dickerson (who had not worked with War since 1979) adopted a name which referenced one of War's biggest hits: Lowrider Band. Lonnie Jordan opted to remain with Goldstein and create a new version of War with himself as the only original member. Some other musicians who had joined between 1983 and 1993 were also part of the new War. To date, neither the "new" War nor the Lowrider Band have recorded a studio album, but both bands are currently active as live performance acts.

1996 also saw the release of a double CD compilation, Anthology (1970–1994), later updated in 2003 with a few track substitutions, as The Very Best of War. Another CD compilation from 1999, Grooves and Messages, included a second disc of remixes done by various producers.

2008 Reunion Flyer

2000s: Recent activity

On 21 April 2008, Eric Burdon and War reunited for the first time in 37 years to perform a one-time-only concert at the London Royal Albert Hall. 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 concert coincided with Avenue / Rhino Records' Eric Burdon and War reissues which included Eric Burdon Declares "War" and The Black-Man's Burdon, plus compilations The Best of Eric Burdon and War and Anthology. In 2008, Lonnie Jordan's edition of War released their only album so far, a live album / DVD of songs originally from 1969 to 1975: Greatest Hits Live. War were unsuccessfully nominated for 2009 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.^[4] There were rumours that Burdon would join them again in summer 2009, but it did not happen. In 2011, War played "Low Rider" and many other hits at the Rack n' Roll in Stamford, Connecticut with Remember September and Westchester School Of Rock.

Lawsuit

In early September 2010, original band members Harold Brown, Lee Oskar Levitin, Howard Scott, and Morris Dickerson, as well as Laurian Miller, daughter of original band member Charles Miller, collectively sued Pepsi Co. for more than $10 million. They claim that they are entitled to compensation for Pepsi's use of the song "Why Can’t We Be Friends?" in a commercial without permission. "They are asking for a jury trial and 'confiscation of unlawful profits' in a to-be-determined amount." ^[5]

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions		Certifications^[6]
Year	Album details	US ^[7]	US R&B ^[8]	Certifications^[6]
1970	Eric Burdon Declares "War" As "Eric Burdon and War" Label: MGM Records	18	47
1970	The Black-Man's Burdon As "Eric Burdon and War" Label: MGM Records	82	—
1971	War Label: United Artists Records	190	42
1971	All Day Music Label: United Artists Records	16	6	US: Gold
1972	The World Is a Ghetto Label: United Artists Records	1	1	US: Gold
1973	Deliver the Word Label: United Artists Records	6	1	US: Gold
1975	Why Can't We Be Friends? Label: United Artists Records	8	1	US: Gold
1976	Love Is All Around As "Eric Burdon and War" Label: ABC Records	140	—
1976	Platinum Jazz Label: Blue Note Records/United Artists Records	6	7	US: Gold
1977	Galaxy Label: MCA Records	15	6	US: Gold
1979	The Music Band Label: MCA Records	41	11	US: Gold
1979	The Music Band 2 Label: MCA Records	111	34
1982	Outlaw Label: RCA Records	48	15
1983	The Music Band – Jazz Label: MCA Records	—	—
1983	Life (is So Strange) Label: RCA Records	164	36
1985	Where There's Smoke Label: Coco Plum	—	—
1994	Peace Sign Label: Avenue Records	200	52
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Live albums

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions		Certifications^[6]
Year	Album details	US ^[7]	US R&B ^[8]	Certifications^[6]
1974	War Live Label: United Artists Records Double album	13	1	US: Gold
1980	The Music Band Live Label: MCA Records	—	—
2008	Greatest Hits Live Label: Rhino Records Also issued as a DVD	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilations

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions		Certifications^[6]
Year	Album details	US ^[7]	US R&B ^[8]	Certifications^[6]
1976	Greatest Hits Label: United Artists Records Includes one new track	6	12	US: Platinum
1976	Platinum Jazz Label: United Artists Records Double album Half compilation, half rarities	6	7	US: Gold
1982	The Best of the Music Band Label: MCA Records	—	—
1987	The Best of War... and More Label: Avenue Records Includes two new tracks and a remix	156	—	US: Platinum
1996	The Best of Eric Burdon and War Label: MGM Records Includes one new track	—	—
1996	Anthology (1970–1994) Label: Avenue Records Double Album	—	—
1999	Grooves and Messages Label: Avenue Records Double album Half compilation, half remixes	—	—
2003	The Very Best of War Label: Avenue Records Double Album	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Related albums

(year unknown): The Other Side of War Warms Your Heart (double LP, credited to War and apparently includes Brown, Dickerson and Jordan, possibly not an official release)
1992: Rap Declares War (various artists, with sampling taken from War)
1997: War Stories (solo album by Lonnie Jordan, includes cover versions of six songs previously recorded by War)

Singles

This is a list of their USA singles; additional singles were issued in other countries.

Year	Titles	Label	From the album
1970	"Spill the Wine"	MGM	Eric Burdon Declares "War" (Eric Burdon and War)
	"Magic Mountain"	MGM	non-album track
	"They Can't Take Away Our Music"	MGM	The Black-Man's Burdon (Eric Burdon and War)
	"Home Cookin'"	MGM	The Black-Man's Burdon (Eric Burdon and War)
1971	"Lonely Feelin'"	United Artists	War
	"Sun Oh Son"	United Artists	War
	"All Day Music"	United Artists	All Day Music
	"Get Down"	United Artists	All Day Music
	"Slippin' Into Darkness"	United Artists	All Day Music
	"Nappy Head"	United Artists	All Day Music
1972	"The World Is a Ghetto"	United Artists	The World Is a Ghetto
1972	"Four Cornered Room"	United Artists	The World Is a Ghetto
1973	"The Cisco Kid"	United Artists	The World Is a Ghetto
	"Beetles in the Bog"	United Artists	The World Is a Ghetto
	"Gypsy Man"	United Artists	Deliver the Word
	"Deliver the Word"	United Artists	Deliver the Word
	"Me and Baby Brother"	United Artists	Deliver the Word
	"In Your Eyes"	United Artists	Deliver the Word
1974	"Ballero"	United Artists	War Live
1974	"Slippin' Into Darkness"	United Artists	War Live
1975	"Why Can't We Be Friends?"	United Artists	Why Can't We Be Friends?
	"In Mazatlan"	United Artists	Why Can't We Be Friends?
	"Low Rider"	United Artists	Why Can't We Be Friends?
	"So"	United Artists	Why Can't We Be Friends?
1976	"Summer"	United Artists	Greatest Hits
1976	"All Day Music"	United Artists	All Day Music
1977	"Magic Mountain"	ABC	B-side from 1970
	"Home Dream"	ABC	Guilty (1971, Eric Burdon and Jimmy Witherspoon) both tracks also on Love Is All Around (War featuring Eric Burdon)
	"L.A. Sunshine"	Blue Note	Platinum Jazz
	"Slowly We Walk Together"	Blue Note	Platinum Jazz
	"Galaxy"	MCA	Galaxy
	"Galaxy (part 2)"	MCA	Galaxy
1978	"Hey Señorita"	MCA	Galaxy
	"Street Fighting Lady"	MCA	Galaxy
	"Youngblood (Livin' in the Streets)"	United Artists	Youngblood (soundtrack)
	"Youngblood (Livin' in the Streets) (part 2)"	United Artists	Youngblood (soundtrack)
	"Sing a Happy Song"	United Artists	Youngblood (soundtrack)
	"This Funky Music Makes You Feel Good"	United Artists	Youngblood (soundtrack)
1979	"Good, Good Feelin'"	MCA	The Music Band
	"Baby Face (She Said Do Do Do Do)"	MCA	Galaxy
	"I'm the One Who Understands"	MCA	The Music Band
	"Corns and Callouses (Hey Dr. Shoals)"	MCA	The Music Band
	"Don't Take It Away"	MCA	The Music Band 2
	"The Music Band 2 (We are the Music Band)"	MCA	The Music Band 2
1980	"I'll Be Around"	MCA	The Music Band 2
1980	"The Music Band 2 (We are the Music Band)"	MCA	The Music Band 2
1981	"Cinco de Mayo"	LA	Outlaw
1981	"Don't Let No One Get You Down"	LA	Why Can't We Be Friends?
1982	"You Got the Power"	RCA Victor	Outlaw
	"Cinco de Mayo"	RCA Victor	Outlaw
	"Outlaw"	RCA Victor	Outlaw
	"I'm About Somebody"	RCA Victor	Outlaw
	"Just Because"	RCA Victor	Outlaw
	"The Jungle (medley)"	RCA Victor	Outlaw
1983	"Life (is So Strange)"	RCA Victor	Life (is So Strange)
1983	"W.W. III"	RCA Victor	Life (is So Strange)
1994	"Peace Sign" (12–inch single with 4 mixes)	Avenue	(Peace Sign)

Members

Thomas Sylvester "Papa Dee" Allen – percussion, vocals (1969–1988)
Harold (Ray) Brown – drums, vocals (1969–1994, Lowrider Band 1996–present)
Eric Burdon – vocals (1969–1971)
Morris "B.B." Dickerson – bass, vocals (1969–1979, Lowrider Band 1996–present)
Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan – keyboards, vocals (1969–present)
Charles Miller – saxophone, clarinet, flute, vocals (1969–1979)
Lee Oskar – harmonica, vocals (1969–1994, Lowrider Band 1996–present)
Howard E. Scott – guitar, vocals (1969–1994, Lowrider Band 1996–present)
Ronnie (Ron) Hammon – drums, percussion (1979–1996)
Luther Rabb – bass, vocals (1979–1984)
Pat Rizzo – saxophone, flute, vocals (1979–1983, 1993–1995)
Alice Tweed Smith – percussion, vocals (1979–1981)
Ricky Green – bass, vocals (1984–1989)
Sal Rodriguez – drums, percussion, vocals (1990–present)
Kerry Campbell – saxophone (1993–1996)
Charles Green – saxophone, flute (1993–1995)
Tetsuya "Tex" Nakamura – harmonica, vocals (1993–2006)
Rae Valentine – keyboards, percussion, vocals (1993–2001)
J. B. Eckl – guitar, vocals (1994–1996)
Sandro Alberto – guitar, vocals (1996–1998)
Fernando Harkles – saxophone (1996–present)
Richard Marquez – drums, percussion (1996–1997)
Kenny Hudson – percussion (1997–1998)
James "Zota" Baker – guitar, vocals (1998–2002)
Marcos Reyes – percussion (1998–present)
Stuart Ziff – guitar, vocals (2002–present)
Francisco "Pancho" Tomaselli – bass, vocals (2003–present)
Mitch Kashmar – harmonica, vocals (2006–2011)
Smokey Greenwell - harmonica (1994–1996)
Stanley Behrens - harmonica (2011–present)

References

^ Allmusic biography page
^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 305. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
^ [1]^{[dead link]}
^ Run-D.M.C., Metallica nominated for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Associated Press September 22, 2008
^ War riled up over Pepsi ad, The Detroit Free Press, Saturday, September 4, 2010, p. 7D
^ ^a ^b ^c "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database" (PHP). Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database.
^ ^a ^b ^c "War: Charts & Awards – Billboard Albums". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4948/charts-awards/billboard-albums. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Artist Chart History: War". The Official Charts Company. http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/moody%20blues/. Retrieved 14 June 2011.

External links

War

Fernando Harkles
Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan
Mitch Kashmar
Marcos Reyes
Sal Rodriguez
Francisco "Pancho" Tomaselli
Stuart Ziff

Sylvester "Papa Dee" Allen
Harold Ray Brown
Eric Burdon
Morris "B.B." Dickerson
Charles Miller
Lee Oskar
Howard E. Scott
Ronnie (Ron) Hammon
Luther Rabb
Pat Rizzo
Alice Tweed Smith
Ricky Green Kerry Campbell
Charles Green
Tetsuya "Tex" Nakamura
Rae Valentine
J. B. Eckl
Sandro Alberto
Richard Marquez
Kenny Hudson
James "Zota" Baker

Studio albums

Eric Burdon and War	Eric Burdon Declares "War" The Black-Man's Burdon Love Is All Around

War	War All Day Music The World Is a Ghetto Deliver the Word Why Can't We Be Friends? Platinum Jazz Galaxy The Music Band The Music Band 2 Outlaw The Music Band – Jazz Life (is So Strange) (Peace Sign)

Soundtracks

Youngblood

Live albums

War Live
The Music Band Live

Lowrider Band

v d e Eric Burdon

Studio albums	Eric Is Here · Guilty! · Sun Secrets · Stop · Survivor · Darkness Darkness · The Last Drive · Comeback · Power Company · I Used to Be an Animal · My Secret Life · Soul of a Man

Live albums	That's Live · Access All Areas · Live at the Roxy · The Official Live Bootleg #1 · Live in Seattle 2002 · Athens Traffic Live

Compilations	Wicked Man, The Unreleased Eric Burdon, The Comeback Soundtrack, Sings The Animals' Greatest Hits, Lost Within the Halls of Fame, Misunderstood, I'm Ready: The Unreleased Eric Burdon Vol. 2, Soldier of Fortune, Absolutely the Best, He Used To Be An Animal, Tobacco Road, Wild & Wicked, The Hits, Mirage, Ultimate Rarities Vol. 1, Ultimate Rarities Vol. 2

Songs	Woman of the Rings • Darkness, Darkness • No More Elmore • Dey Won't • Power Company • Sixteen Tons • Kingsize Jones • Como Se Llama Mama

Films	Comeback, Finally..., Live at the Coachhouse, The Eric Burdon Band Live, Yes, You Can Go Home, Live At The Ventura Beach California, Episode

Bands	The Animals, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Eric Burdon and War, The Eric Burdon Band, Eric Burdon's I band, Eric Burdon & the New Animals

Books	I Used To Be An Animal, But I'm Alright Now, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: A Memoir

Tours	Wow! What a Show Tour 1973/74, Good Times Tour 1988, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood Tour, Downunder Tour 2001, My Secret Life Tour 2004, Soul of a Man Tour 2006, European Tour 2009

Concerts	Eric Burdon & War reunion at the Royal Albert Hall

Related articles	Eric Burdon discography · The Animals discography

v d e Billboard Year-End number one albums (1970–1989)

1970: Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel 1971: Jesus Christ Superstar – Soundtrack 1972: Harvest – Neil Young 1973: The World Is a Ghetto – War 1974: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John 1975: Elton John's Greatest Hits -Elton John 1976: Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton 1977: Rumours – Fleetwood Mac 1978: Saturday Night Fever – Soundtrack 1979: 52nd Street – Billy Joel 1980: The Wall – Pink Floyd 1981: Hi Infidelity – REO Speedwagon 1982: Asia – Asia 1983: Thriller – Michael Jackson 1984: Thriller – Michael Jackson 1985: Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen 1986: Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston 1987: Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi 1988: Faith – George Michael 1989: Don't Be Cruel – Bobby Brown

Complete list (1956–1969) (1970–1989) (1990–2009) (2010–2029)

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