The 8+ piece funk band War rose to prominence in the 1970's with their multiracial lineup and progressive take on funk music. They managed to be both socially conscious and streetwise and fans couldn't help but respond to their ultimately positive and enduring musical message. Their music was also informed by the laid-back, easy-living vibe of Southern California at the time and provides a marked contrast to the frantic, edgy disco-funk popular in New York during the same time. The original War was the concept of two scenesters; 50's hit producer Jerry Goldstein, who'd been responsible for hits like "My Boyfriend's Back" and "Hang On Sloopy" along with Eric Burdon, lead singer for the raw English garage band The Animals. The two managers collected the musicians who would eventually become War from various LA clubs. Eric was so enthusiastic about finding a fresh sound (compared to by-then "stale" rock n' roll) that he would jump on stage and hijack the band. He ultimately chose to front the band and they recorded their debut, Eric Burdon Declares WAR. The album's hit single was a genre-bending spacey Latin jam, "Spill the Wine," and the next thing the band knew they were famous. Their explosive live show earned them rave reviews around the globe and in 1970 they released their epic double-disc Black Man's Burden. Burden left the band and they want on to record their classic 1972 The World Is A Ghetto, a thoughtful and gritty concept album. The first single "The Cisco Kid" tackled Mexican-American relations and earned the band a devoted Latino following. But War's most enduring mainstream single has proven to be the laid-back groove-centered "Low Rider," a certified classic.