War Tickets

War is one of the few bands that resisted the disco invasion of the '80s and remained true to their '70s funk roots. The band was formed in 1969 and has seen numerous changes in its lineup. These connoisseurs of funk have won numerous awards and accolades during their four decade long career. Some of their popular singles include “The World is a Ghetto,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Summer” and “Lowrider.” The only original member, Lonnie Jordan, now holds the wheel for War, and under his guidance, the band made a comeback with the 2014 studio album, Evolutionary.

During its initial year, War was associated with Eric Burdon who is renowned as the front man and vocalist for the rock band The Animals. With War, he performed the same duties and was prominent in the band's first two studio albums; Eric Burdon Declares “War” and The Black-Man's Burdon. Both albums received positive responses from critics and listeners. But the following year, War became independent from Burdon and released its self-titled debut album War and followed it up by All Day Music. The band enjoyed great success on the charts and in sales during the remainder of the 70's.

War, in its early era, caught the attention of people because it challenged the norms by creating a multiracial and multiethnic lineup. The original lineup included Howard E. Scott, Harold Brown, Charles Miller, Morris Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Lee Oskar and Papa Dee Allen. After experiencing success during their debut decade, the next one was not kind to War.

B.B. Dickerson left during the recording sessions for their twelfth studio album The Music Band. Miller was murdered in 1980 whereas Papa Dee Allen died of a heart attack while performing on stage eight years later. By 1996, Oskar, Brown, Scott and Dickerson left the band to start their own project under the name, Lowrider Band. Lonnie Jordan remained with the original management under Jerry Goldstein. He has added many musicians to War's lineup to keep the torch aflame.

The band's unique blend of music fuses elements from funk, jazz, rhythm and blues, reggae, Latin and rock. The lyrics underline sociopolitical issues while retaining a catchy tune. Their music includes a sunny laidback vibe, which highlights War's Southern California roots.

Consisting of many talented musicians, War has never lost the meaning of teamwork throughout the years. The ensemble created a rhythmic effect as a whole, without any single soloist or vocalist being prominent. One of its critically acclaimed features is playing the saxophone and harmonica in unison. This is most evident in their R&B chart topper “Lowrider.”

War stepped into the music industry with their debut album Eric Burdon Declares “War” in spring 1970. The album entered the Billboard 200 in the top twenty. It received a gold certification after reaching sales of over five hundred thousand. The album featured hit singles such as “Tobacco Road,” “Spill the Wine” and “Mother Earth.” The back cover read, “We the People, have declared War against the People, for the right to love each other”. This declaration has become War's signature motto which is referenced extensively in popular culture.

Over the years, War has released more than fifteen studio albums, three live albums, eight compilation albums and around sixty singles. The band's wide discography has received numerous platinum and gold certifications within the US and in other countries such as the UK, Australia and Canada. The albums All Day Music, The World is a Ghetto, Greatest Hits and The Best of War… And More remain their most successful, after garnering platinum statuses. Seven of the albums peaked among the top ten on the US R&B chart, including four chart toppers. War also boasts around seventeen singles that hit the Top 40 on Billboard's Hip Hop Songs chart.

War's music has been sampled by many notable hip hop singers and rappers. Notable among these are Janet Jackson, Korn, A$AP Mob and TLC. Lonnie Jordan, along with his new lineup, released the band's latest and seventeenth studio album Evolutionary in 2014. The album has reignited interest in War's fans and hip hop enthusiasts, and they are flocking for the band's promotional tour, which is hitting major cities in the US. You can also be a part of their upcoming concerts; all you have to do is grab War Tickets.