War was one of 9 bands nominated for 5 spots in the 24th class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The other nominees were Jeff Beck (already in with The Yardbirds), Chic, Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Metallica, Run-D.M.C., The Stooges and Bobby Womack. Chosen were Womack, Beck, Little Anthony, Run-D.M.C. and Metallica. Nothing against these guys, but War should have made it.
War is an under-appreciated California Funk group that is a vital part of American music history. You know their songs "Low Rider," "Spill The Wine" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?," and you've heard them sampled by Janet Jackson, Ice-T, Beastie Boys, De la Soul, Portishead and many others.
You don't know much about them because they don't have a high-profile lead singer or a Behind The Music tabloid tale. Legal issues have kept them out of the spotlight, and they have a confusing name.
The most dynamic and talented members of the creative community were drawn to War. Jimi Hendrix played with them at Ronnie Scott's in London on the night he died. Bob Marley loved them, as they were what he called "Street Musicians." ("Get Up, Stand Up" is based on the War song "Slippin' Into Darkness"). It's music to expand your mind and help you along your personal journey, but it was made by a bunch of regular guys who were worried about getting drafted and paying their bills. They weren't spoiled and self-indulgent, so they didn't get a lot of media attention. While many of their good friends passed on, War stayed here on Earth because they were grounded.
Before they were War they were Nite Shift, because drummer Harold Brown worked at a steel yard at night. They became the first black band to play the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, and drew the attention of some heavy hitters in the industry. Their quest for exemplary musicians led them to two white guys: Danish harmonica player Lee Oskar and Animals lead singer Eric Burdon. This lineup, renamed "War with Eric Burdon," made "Spill The Wine," a trippy celebration of women ("Long ones, tall ones, short ones, brown ones...") that came together when they spilled some wine on a mixing console. There is still nothing else like it.
Maybe if Jimi Hendrix had lived, War would already be in the Rock Hall. His death was especially hard for Eric Burdon, who left the band after just two albums. The loss of Burdon's star power made it a lot harder to market the band, but it led them to come together as a group. Without Burdon, they created some of their best music, a unique sound fusing Latin with Jazz, Rock and R&B. The slow Funk of "Low Rider" was a departure from the Disco that was coming around. It put a sound to the Low Rider culture, which is based on modified cars that can bounce on hydraulic lifts. While the Hot Rodders were interested in speed (and had The Beach Boys singing for them), the Low Riders were about style. The lyrics, "Take a little trip" and "Rides a little higher" gave the impression that this was a drug song, but most Low Riders had jobs as machinists or mechanics and put their money into the cars. The song is about the pride that comes from riding around in your baby. It puts you in the driver's seat.
While touring Japan in the early '70s, the band realized that people are more alike inside than we are on the outside. Communicating through body language gave them the idea for the brilliant "Why Can't We Be Friends?", a song of unity that succinctly sums up the absurdity of judging others based on our differences.
Other hits include "The World Is A Ghetto," which also addresses how we're all alike despite our differences, and "The Cisco Kid," which is based on a '50s TV show about a Mexican cowboy.
In the mid-90s, their producer Jerry Goldstein went to court and won the rights to the name War. Under Goldstein's guidance, the band that now tours as War contains just one original member: keyboard player Lonnie Jordan. The other four original living members perform as The Lowrider Band.
War should be in the Rock Hall because they made outstanding music that has stood the test of time. They brought people together through music. Maybe an induction will bring them back together as well.
-Carl Wiser
Comments: 8
I was in Omaha and saw WAR twice but the second time in 1975 was special. People talked about that concert for years. The original ensemble was ahead of its time fusing those different styles effectively. People under rate their entire albums including their lesser entries. I actually liked their first album entitled "War" where they introduced their talent. check out Fidel's Fantasy, Son oh Sun and Vibeka.Too me they produced 5 great albums: All Day Music, Deliver the Word, Why Can't We Be Friends, War Live (yes) and the inimitable the World Is a Ghetto. Good Albums include Platinum Jazz, and Outlaw and a classic single or two like "Summer" . Its simply mind boggling that War, one of the great American bands is not in the Hall of Fame. I've also had the opportunity to see the original 7 twice and various mutations of the band 1982- 2002 about 11 more times.
-Jerseyman from Hackensack
The original artists of WAR, should have been inducted years ago, but with Jerry Golddigger legalities, who knows if it will ever come to pass. These gentlemen have created some of music's most timeless and iconic music and have been robbed of their name, recognition and propers, while others have lived off the fame of their hard work and originality for far too long. It's wrong, and I thank you Carl Wiser for "delivering the word", and letting WAR fans know the truth. 3 fingers and a smile, OG WAR style!
-WARQUEEN from The left turn at Albuquerque
This is a tricky one. I am a huge original WAR fan and would love to see them in the RRHOF But....don't see that ever happening. WAR as it exists today consists of Jerry Goldstein & Lonnie Jordan so to induct WAR into the RRHOF would exclude the original line up (Howard Scott, Lee Oskar, B.B. Dickerson, Harold Brown)and those guys are more worthy than Goldstein or Jordan of being inducted.
-Sandra from New York, NY
"The World Is A Ghetto" was the #1 Billboard LP of the Year for either 1972, 1973 or 1974 (I think it was 1973). That, in itself shows that they were more than just a hum-drum wannabe. I was in (of all places) a Pizza Hut in York, Nebraska (Pop. about 8,000), and they had a '70's Funk & soul tape playing. One of the songs was "Slipping Into Darkness." It still sounds fresh.
-ColdNebraskaNite from Utica, Nebraska
The name makes me lok the other way, I don't believe that war is necessary so- on the other hand I love the music Low- Rider is my brothers favorite song Him and his impalla (LOL) your right they have a very original sound and the music is good/ I never knew the band was named war though. I have studied projection for awhile now so I shun away from negetive info, I will think about how to get the positive structure for peace but I wont read about a negative war experience that to close to negativity for a projectionist. Point being with the good music they have maybe they should add anti- in there somewhere, the word is to controversial in times like this maybe. Sometimes being low profile and using the music is more benaficial if ya know it in your heart that your music is that good, maybe it stays low and steady to avoid a counter reaction of being under the spotlight to much losing the originality and emphasis it does carry, With 4 original band members acting as The lowRiders now, it seems that that name would be credited due to The original name not caring its members, the wrong musicians would be credited except for Lonnie, Kinda a way crazy deal.
-Melissa from Wolf Creek, OR
I just pulled a friend "out of the Darkness" There is Magic in the spirit of their music.
Yes these guys get my vote too.
-Ionman from Lake Tahoe
Their second album, All Day Music,
is a classic, featuring the title track and for me the entire album. Yes, put them in the Hall of Fame!
-lordhelps
A former girlfriend of mine actually met War (and drove them from the airport straight to a gig) and they were the nicest bunch of guys she'd ever met.
That they are really, truely nice folks should get them in.
Also, they're really good.
-Anonymous