War’s head-nodding mix of music and message started a revolution 50 years ago that continues to win over the hearts and hips of fans around the world. War was founded in the late-1960s by producer/songwriter Jerry Goldstein and British singer Eric Burdon, who was eager to seek out new collaborators after several years with The Animals. Goldstein spotted the musicians who would become War playing clubs in L.A. Soon after, Burdon started playing shows with the band and he clicked with the musicians, who were able to back his improvisational flights-of-fancy with the ease of jazz masters.

Originally billed as Eric Burdon and War, the group recorded the hit albums Eric Burdon Declares “War” (which featured the hit “Spill The Wine”), and the double album, The Black-Man’s Burdon. After Burdon left the group in 1971, War’s career took on a life of its own as its popularity skyrocketed thanks to three consecutive Gold albums: All Day Music (featuring the hit “Slippin’ Into Darkness”), The World Is A Ghetto (Billboard’s best-selling album of 1973), Deliver The Word (featuring the hits “Gypsy Man” and “Me and My Baby Brother”) and Why Can’t We Be Friends?