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WAR IN CONCERT:
Chicano funk icons War rolled their way to fame in the early '70s with classic hits like "Low Rider" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?", and they've kept fans dancing ever since with their groovy, socially conscious jams. The group's roster has changed over the years, but founding member Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan has remained a constant, and his familiar voice and jazzy keyboard licks continue to drive the band's fun-loving sets. The multi-ethnic lineup he's assembled stays true to the band's message of harmony and brotherhood, and their 2014 studio debut together – the first new War album in 20 years – proved they've got the musical chemistry to carry on the band's hallowed legacy. In concert they strike up the same funky, feel-good vibe that fueled War's rise to success in the '70s, and their party-starting blend of rubbery basslines, Latin percussion, and scorching saxophone always gets ticket buyers moving their feet.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
War formed in 1969 when famed producer Jerry Goldstein brought together former Animals singer Eric Burdon and a group of Long Beach, CA funk players he discovered at a North Hollywood club. The group started performing throughout Southern California as Eric Burdon and War, and in 1970 they released their debut album Eric Burdon Declares "War." Their first single "Spill the Wine" was a Top 3 hit on Billboard's Hot 100, making them stars overnight and leading to extensive touring. War was quickly hailed as one of the best live bands in the business, but Burdon left the group to pursue other projects a year later. Despite the sudden departure of their frontman, the best was yet to come for War – they dominated the R&B charts in the '70s with a string of No. 1 albums including The World is a Ghetto (1972), Deliver the Word (1973), and Why Can't We Be Friends (1975). The band remained a funk force to be reckoned with throughout the '80s and '90s, and in 2008 Burdon reunited with the group for the first time in 37 years for a one-off show at London's Royal Albert Hall. Since then founding member Lonnie Jordan has kept the music alive with a talented new lineup that made their studio debut on 2014's Evolutionary and continues to burn it up on tour.
WAR is always an amazing show - they have such energy and sing the oldies that make them famous. We really enjoyed The Family Stone - would like to see them come back as their own show!
Was a great show in a Just Right sized room with beautifully clear sound
Have always enjoyed War. First time able to see live and would gladly come if in area again. Only regret is not having an encore. They were all professional and still had the groove! Love them. Really enjoyed Family Stone opening for them as I loved them too.
Just for a moment, I wish that in todays synthesized, sampled, rap-o-lishous, vulgar demeaning world of modern music that everyone could experience the concert I watched last night. Artist having fun. It's amazing to see real tight musical talent, the real thing, no lip sync'ed, over produced, explosion of capitalism shoved down my throat at $220 dollars a ticket. But a 68 year old man and his band of aging smiling men who not only remember that Rock and Roll was originally meant to be one thing, but actually still live and strive to produce that one thing... Funky FUN! WAR is the embodiment of Funky Fun. With the "Hit List" on stage they rollicked and roll up some of the most funk-o lishous fun I've ever had the pleasure to experience. Though the audience was sparse to say the least, they enthusiastically embraced the energy the band laid down. Even though I was only 8 when WAR had it's first hit record, I grew up loving the funky-latian mix of soul and rock. Still as strong as ever - I would suggest if you have an opportunity to see the show, by all means spend the $40 and take your kids with you to show them what real musicians sound like when they play Rock and Roll with heart and soul.
WAR was better now than they were 30 years ago - hands down, one of the best concert bands in history. Great sound, performance, song selection. Truly a flashback to a better time in music.
After seeing them on DVD I really wanted to see them live. They were very high energy and very entertaining
They sound just as they did long ago. The band was sharp, on key and on time.
What an amazing show at the Robin Hood Dell East in "Philly". Really enjoyed hearing all of their songs and after all these years they haven't lost a beat!!!!
War was awesome! They played all my favorites that kept us dancing in our seats. War was a fantastic evening filled with fun, grooves and laughter.
I have seen War at least 6 times The Greek I got box seat I was hoping they played longer. They did not cover a lot of songs I was a little Disapointed. The best I have seen play was at the LA County fair 2009. The Greek Tower of Power & ABW they were great have have seen both band serveal time this was one of the Best.
The sound was great, seating is great . I do think the acts could of played a little long WAR definetly could of played 30 min more and covered most of their song.
All three bands were great. I really enjoyed "Pickin Up the Pieces" by AWB. The sax player was fantastic. War was good too. I would have liked to listen to more tunes and less talk though. The harp player was impressive. There are no words to accurately describe Tower of Power. You could feel the increased amount of energy. They are tight beyond belief. I guess that's one of the things that happens after playing together for forty plus years. I could have listened to just them all night. They are a magnificent band and they should be recognized much, much more.
Loved the concert, felt like one big party, great music, would love to see them again and again!
Concert was GREAT!!!!!! My husband and I had a Great time. We always enjoy ourselves at the Summer Concerts at the Greek. We been attending them for the past 6 years.
TOP - was by far best- should have it's own show as they entertained!
This was a great show! I saw AWB and War in 1999 and had a blast. 11 years later and they were as good as the first time. I had hoped to hear more from AWB but was pleasantly surprised by the Tower of Power performance. WAR did not disappoint in any way, it was the 70's all over again. Will see them all again next year.
You really can't beat a beautiful warm southern California evening at the Greek! Took my 17 & 12 yr old son's & they loved it ! AWB was just as good as ever. Tower of Power took everyone back . But WAR was SMOKIN' ! They rocked the house! They had the whole crowd up & dancing immediately! (They missed spill the wine & all day music,) but they played everything just like you remembered....."OLD SCHOOL"...Worth every $$$.....Truly an AWESOME concert!
I would go to them again and again. They just don't make music like that anymore.
Great concert! all three groups brought their A game and their fans in the stands Loved it!
War and especially TOP were outstanding, however, AWB seriously needs to consider getting a second horn player like the old days. The harmonies were sorely missed. I saw them at HOB Universal City Walk a couple of years back and I thought they only had one sax player because of the small venue/stage...WRONG! Other than that the Greek was JUMPING!!!!!!