IVOX RADIO Presents ● The Story and Music of WAR
War Original Lineup, 1976, Source: Lee Oskar and Harold Brown
War is a fusion band founded in Long Beach, California in 1969. During a time when sentiment was running strong against the Vietnam War, the band chose their name as a “mission to spread brotherhood and harmony.”
Originally called “Eric Burdon and War,” the band incorporated the musical elements of rock, reggae, funk, R&B, Latin and even psychedelia. Its multiethnic and multiracial lineup allowed the band to transcend the then-prevalent barriers of both race and culture.
War traces its roots to 1962 when future founding members Howard E. Scott and Harold Brown formed “The Creators,” later adding other future members Charles Miller on sax and vocals, B.B. Dickerson on bass and vocals, and Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan on keyboards and lead vocals.
Famed Danish harmonica player and manufacturer Lee Oskar soon became part of the lineup as did vocalist/percussionist Thomas “Papa Dee” Allen. Changing their name to “Nightshift,” the band began performing with singer/pro football player Deacon Jones. War was later conceived by record producer Jerry Goldstein and former lead singer of The Animals, Eric Burdon.
The pair heard the band at the Rag Doll nightclub in North Hollywood, California in 1969. Now known as “Eric Burdon and War,” the group played to enthusiastic crowds across Southern California before recording the debut album, Eric Burdon Declares “War” which featured the career-launching single, “Spill The Wine.”
WAR All Day Music - Album Cover / released November 1971 on United Artists Records
Though their first self-titled album met with modest success in 1971, their second album that year, All Day Music went gold in 1972 and featured both the title track and “Slippin’ Into Darkness.” Their 1972 album, The World Is A Ghetto featured the title track and “The Cisco Kid,” which shipped gold, as singles. Other well-known and award-winning singles include “Low Rider,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” and “Summer.”
Today, the only original member of the band is Lonnie Jordan; Scott, Oskar and Brown spun off their own group called Lowrider Band but lost the right to tour under the name “War” to producer Goldstein.
IVOX RADIO Presents ● “The Story & Music of WAR” today at 5pm hosted by Louie Comella, on KWXY Music Radio 92.3FM ● 1340AM ● streaming at kwxy.com and ivoxradio.com