War

Formed in Long Beach, California, in 1969, initially under the name Eric Burdon and War, War emerged on the Southern California scene before touring the United States and Europe. The band built a collective sound that blended funk, soul, rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, blues and Latin influences, characterized by extended grooves, a prominent role for percussion, strong bass lines, supple brass and shared vocal passages. After Eric Burdon Declares "War" and The Black-Man’s Burdon, both released in 1970 with Eric Burdon, War continued independently with War and All Day Music in 1971, followed by The World Is a Ghetto (1972), Deliver the Word (1973) and Why Can’t We Be Friends? (1975). This period established much of War’s aesthetic, combining social consciousness, unifying choruses and a fluid movement between urban soul, funk and psychedelic rock. Later entries in their discography include Platinum Jazz (1976), Galaxy (1977), The Music Band and The Music Band 2 (1979), Outlaw (1982), Life (Is So Strange) (1983), Peace Sign (1994) and Evolutionary (2014). Marked by numerous lineup changes, War continues today around Lonnie Jordan, the only founding member in the current lineup, while former members have also performed under the name Lowrider Band.