War (originally called
Eric Burdon and War) is an American
funk band from Long Beach,
California, known for the hit songs "
Spill the Wine", "
The World Is a Ghetto", "
The Cisco Kid", "
Why Can't We Be Friends?", "
Low Rider", and "
Summer". Formed in 1969, War was a musical crossover band which fused elements of
rock, funk,
jazz,
Latin,
rhythm and blues, and
reggae. The band also transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multi-
ethnic line-up. War was also subject to many line-up changes over the course of its formation, leaving member
Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan as the only original member in the current line-up; four other members created a new group called the
Lowrider Band.