War

Latin funk group that started life in the early 1970s in Southern California. They formed out of the ashes of an earlier R&B covers group, [a=The Creators (6)] (who also recorded as The Romeos and [a136141]), initially naming themselves Nightshift before producer [a=Jerry Goldstein] discovered them and gave them a more distinctive name. Goldstein also brought them into contact with former Animals frontman and vocalist [a188393] and harmonica player [a327676] Levitin. As such they became [a1287974] and recorded their first album [r=579685]. Another (double) album followed in 1970, upon which Burdon left. The band then signed to United Artists and began releasing material on their own. Their first album was not a big success but their popularity was growing and later albums were very successful. They peaked commercially in the mid-1970s with their number 1 hit Low Rider. Things started to go downhill for the group in the late 1970s when bassist B.B. Dickerson left and another member, Charles Miller, was murdered. Various line-up changes followed but the group were not as successful, eventually becoming just a touring act. A new generation has since discovered the music of War as they have been heavily sampled by hip-hop artists. The band continues to tour, although with only one of the original members. Four members of the classic lineup from the 1970s have formed a new band (for legal reasons) called Lowrider Band. However due to legal restrictions they are not even allowed to advertise themselves as former members of the band War.