Although some bands from the 1960s and ’70s have faded from the limelight, disbanded or disappeared altogether, War keeps truckin' with an upcoming show at the Chumash Casino Resort.
One of the top funk groups of the 1970s, War is bringing its unique fusion of funk, R&B, rock and Latin styles to the resort’s Samala Showroom at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3. Tickets for the show are $25, $35 and $45.
The roots of War lie in an R&B cover band called the Creators, which was started by guitarist Howard Scott and drummer Harold Brown in 1962. The group had an appetite for different sounds right from the start, ranging from R&B and blues to the Latin music they absorbed while growing up in the racially mixed ghettos of Los Angeles.
In 1968, the band was reconfigured and dubbed Nightshift. In 1969, Nightshift was discovered by producer Jerry Goldstein when the band was backing football star Deacon Jones, a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams, during his performance at a small Hollywood nightclub. Goldstein suggested the band as possible collaborators to former Animals lead singer Eric Burdon, who had been searching for a new act among L.A. clubs.
After witnessing Nightshift in concert, Burdon took charge of the group and gave them a provocative new name, War. They recorded and released their first album, Eric Burdon Declares "War,” later that year, which included breakout hit “Spill the Wine.” They toured extensively across Europe and the United States, gaining popularity and a remarkable following. However, shortly after releasing their second album, “The Black-Man's Burdon” in 1970, Burdon left the band.
War hit mainstream popularity with the release of its album “All Day Music” in 1972. This album included hit single “Slippin' into Darkness,” which sold more than 1 million copies and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Their second album, “The World is a Ghetto,” was even more successful, reaching the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1973, “The World is a Ghetto” was awarded album of the year by Billboard Magazine.
Since then, War has produced and released multiple memorable R&B chart-topping singles, including “Gypsy Man,” “Me and Baby Brother,” “Summer,” “Low Rider” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”
The legendary performers take the stage in one of the most popular music venues in Santa Barbara County. Located on Highway 246 in Santa Ynez, the Chumash Casino Resort is an age 21-and-older venue. Tickets for all events are available at the Chumash Casino Resort’s Club Indulge or online at www.chumashcasino.com.
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