War—what is it good for? In the case of crossover funk band War, the answer is a whole lot. Artists ranging from rappers to R&B singers to alt-rockers to heavy metal band Korn can cite the band discovered by Eric Burdon in 1969 as an influence, and thanks to original member Lonnie Jordan, War is still going strong in 2014. Keyboardist and vocalist Jordan was a member of the band before Burdon even came along, when it was known as The Creators and then Nightshift. Burdon recruited Jordan and his bandmates, renamed the group War and helped them produce their first big hit, “Spill the Wine.”
After parting ways with Burdon, the group recorded a string of hits in the ’70s, including “Low Rider,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” and “Summer.” The sound, fusing funk, rock, R&B, jazz and more, made War unique, and even with today’s musical cross-pollination and proliferation, War is still unique. The band has toured consistently since the ’90s, playing hits for longtime fans as well as new listeners who discovered War through covers and the sampling of early hip-hop. More than 40 years after the band’s beginning, their influence is as strong as ever.
Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq, 8 p.m. doors Dec. 19, starting at $27.50 plus tax and fee. 702.862.2695
