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War is an American funk band from Long Beach, California, renowned for their fusion of funk, soul, rock, Latin, jazz, blues, and reggae, creating a distinctive multicultural sound.Formed in 1969 by veteran musician Howard E. Scott and Harold Brown, War initially backed ex-Animals singer Eric Burdon. After Burdon's departure, the band achieved massive success in the 1970s with hits like 'Low Rider,' 'The World Is a Ghetto,' 'Why Can't We Be Friends?,' and 'Slippin' into Darkness.' Known for their socially conscious lyrics and diverse lineup, War blended musical styles seamlessly. Despite lineup changes and legal battles over the name, the band continues to perform.

• The band was originally formed as an integrated, multi-ethnic group (African American, Danish, Latino) at a time when this was still relatively rare in popular music, contributing to their unique sound and perspective.
• They were initially called Eric Burdon and War, finding their first major success with the controversial hit 'Spill the Wine' (1970) before Burdon unexpectedly left the band during a European tour in 1971.
• War faced significant legal disputes over the use of their name in later decades, involving former members and management. This led to multiple groups touring under variations of the name.
• Their 1972 album 'The World Is a Ghetto' was Billboard's Album of the Year in 1973, a rare achievement for a funk band.
• Experiencing a major resurgence in the 1990s, their music became widely sampled in hip-hop and featured in films and commercials, introducing them to a new generation.