Just got their box set & been looking into their history, and trying to see where they're at today.

There is a new GREATEST HITS LIVE cd & dvd which I also got. It's good. But it was immediately obvious that the new WAR lineup has only one original member, Lonnie Jordan, and the original producer Jerry Goldstein is credited. I figured OK, they split up and there's two guys carrying on the name. That's not so rare in show biz.

But looking further into it it looks like ALL of the other four living members have a group called THE LOWRIDER BAND. According to Wiki, these four lost the rights to the name in a lawsuit with Jerry Goldstein. But they still tour & play WAR material live.

So it looks like there are two factions - one with 4/5 of the original lineup, and one with the lead singer and the producer who I guess was also the manager.

What's up? Did those guys sign a bad contract? Was there a power struggle after the Peace Sign album, which at least had Harold Scott and Howard Brown on it along with Jordan? Has anybody heard both groups that are playing today? Which one is better?

If there's a good article that goes into all this, I'd love to read it. Otherwise, well, maybe I'll have to write one.

bobzilla77 said:

From what I've heard, the Lowrider Band is far superior to the new WAR.

Old news. Another sad music bidness story.

A take on the Lowrider Band/War controversy:
http://www.laweekly.com/2...-as-sweet/ (LA Weekly)

You can read the actual lawsuit document on the Lowrider Band website in the "News" section:
http://www.lowriderband.c...1994e4594c



tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

I saw WAR in concert two years ago.It was Lonnie Jordan performing with an entire group of new musicians.The show was kinda disappointing and I wish that he could reunite with the original members.It's absurd that there two different versions of WAR,out there touring.

theAudience said:

Thank you - this is what I was hoping for.

Honestly I don't think the new lineup is BAD, they're all talented players and can sing well. I sounds as good as the versions of Steppenwolf and shit that are out there. But it seems ridiculous that one guy and the manager can trump the other four with rights to the name.

FuNkeNsteiN said:

I've heard both bands...Lonnie Jordan and his cover band are good but if you want the WAR sound ya gotta go with the Lowriders.

bobzilla77 said:

WAR is my favorite band in the history of the universe and I've hung out with them a few times back in the day. Judging from what I observed then and what I know now I'd say Lonnie's ego/attitude is one of the problems. He cut a deal for himself with Goldstein because that way he could have what he always wanted...to replace Howard Scott as the leader of the band.

Goldstein owns the name and Lonnie was the only one willing to accept the unfair terms he was offering the band. Pisses me off every time I think of it!

The last I heard, they're negotiating with the Lowriders to reunite because of the 2009 Hall of Fame nomination. We fans are currently petitioning Lonnie's record company to let them know who we want to see onstage at the ceremony, namely Howard, Lee, BB and Harold as well as Lonnie!

It's a damn shame when crap like this interferes with the music.

babynoz said:

I agree,it's a damn shame when stuff like this happens.I want all the original members to reunite.There shouldn't be two different "WAR" bands.

REST IN PEACE "PAPA DEE".....