War

War is a US funk and rock band from Long Beach, active from 1969 to 1994. The group begins as a jam-oriented project formed from a band called Nightshift, with Eric Burdon fronting early sessions by free-associating lyrics over the music. Its line-up includes Eric Burdon, B.B. Dickerson, Charles Miller, Harold Brown, Papa Dee Allen, Lee Oskar, Howard E. Scott, Lonnie Jordan, Luther Rabb, Sal Rodriguez, Charles Green, David Urquidi and Marcos J. Reyes.

Sound and style

The band’s music combines funk with psychedelic rock, along with rock, soul, jazz, blues, reggae and Latin influences. Its sound is marked by the use of harmonica, horns, guitar, bass, percussion and vocals.

Early releases and breakthroughs

War releases two albums under Burdon’s name, and the first contains the hit “Spill the Wine”. Burdon leaves the group in 1971, after which War continues and scores several major hits through the early to mid-1970s.