Lonnie Jordan (Keys / Co-Founder)

Music possesses the power to transport its listeners back in time. Every so often, you hear a song that results in a deluge of memories flooding your mind. Sometimes it’s a particular song, but it can also be a specific band.  For me, that band is War.  When I hear just about any War song, it takes me back to my youthful days growing up in Los Angeles.  The genre crossover band had numerous top 10 billboard hits in the ’70s and has re-emerged over the years with several rap artists sampling War’s music. In fact, their song “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” was played in space when NASA beamed it to the linking of Soviet cosmonauts and U.S. astronauts for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.  War has continued recording throughout the years, and their music can be heard in both film and television soundtracks.  Currently, this iconic band is on tour, and I was fortunate enough to attend their concert at the outdoor Starlight Theater at Pala Casino in Pala, Ca.

Dusk fell over the Starlight Theater, and the evening summer breeze lightly brushed over the buzzing audience. The members of War took the stage, and front-man, co-founder, and keyboardist Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan’s voice reverberated through the crowd,  “How ya doing?… We’re back.  Good to see you again…we gonna get funky,” and with that, the band broke into their first song “Baby Brother.”  Guitar player Stuart Ziff’s funk-filled guitar riff was followed by Sal Rodriguez, pedaling the beefy bass drumbeat.  Stanley Behrens harmonica chimed in with that familiar, quintessential sound synonymous with War’s music.  Jordan’s soulful vocals were both dynamic and powerful.   I looked around and smiled at the crowd, who were already out of their seats and dancing.  Next up was the fan-favorite “Cisco Kid,” Lonnie yelled out, “San Diego! Do you know this song?” and the entire crowd started singing the first verse, and they kept on singing… the entire song, with nuances, oohs, ahhs, and all.  It was a testament to the love people share for War and their music.

Stanley Behrens harmonica player

“Cisco Kid” ended, and longtime War drummer Sal Rodriguez executed a potent solo showing off his skills on the skins.  Jordan showed off some of his hidden talents as he began an acapella, “Day-O!” The audience echoed back. Then he continued with his own colorful lyrics to Belafonte’s Banana Boat melody, which was met with plenty of audience appreciation.

The first note of the next song began, and I immediately recognized “Slipping Into Darkness” The band members layered harmonies gave me goosebumps that were raised higher by Lonnie Jordan’s soulful vocals and the power note he delivered and held for a lifetime. Lead guitarist Stuart Ziff rounded out the song with a blazing axe solo, adding another dynamic to the music.

“Spill the Wine” was next on the setlist.  Eric Burdon originally sang this first War song to chart in 1970.  Lonnie’s delivery of the spoken verse was as intriguing as the recorded version with Burdon.  He deviated slightly from the original lyrics and weaved a colorful story of his own, even throwing in a little “lime in the coconut.”  Scott Martin handled the flute brilliantly with some amazing twills.  “Spill the Wine” morphed into “Galaxy,” a song off their 1977 album of the same name. The Sax and mouth Harp cut loose with some intense call and answer but, the highlight was Rene Camacho’s funky intricate basslines that were indeed out of this world.  Lonnie also contributed to the funk with his finesse on the keys.

At this point in the show, Lonnie dedicated the next song to his wife, Theresa (who is his assistant tour manager), and invited her onstage to say hello.  Drummer Rodriguez sang the lead, delivering a passionate vocal performance on “So,” a smoothly melodic R&B ballad from the 1975 Why Can’t We Be Friends album.

Sal Rodriguez drummer

Lonnie dedicated the next song to the ladies saying that he wrote it for himself but realized the ladies needed it more.  “Don’t Let No One Get You Down” is a stirring inspirational anthem laced with lofty Latin rhythms.  Marcos Reyes laid down some intricate percussion patterns on the steel snares and conga drums.  Jordans soulful and expressive vocals flowed sweetly through the verse and chorus.  The song concluded with the ladies in the audience lending their voices on the final chorus.

“Cinco de Mayo” featured some top-notch percussion work, with Reyes dominating the Congas. The total band synthesis of funky guitar lines, pounding keyboards, punchy sax, and harmonica created an exhilarating, lively Latin jam that had the audience groovin’ in the aisles.

“Down in East L.A./All Day Music” medley showcased Lonnie Jordan on the keyboards bringing in some church organ, punctuated by his expertly executed vocal runs.  Then came the familiar sweet harmonica bends of “Summertime,” immediately flooding my mind with memories of “riding ’round town with all the windows down…'”   I sat back and reveled in the indelible groove that was the backdrop of my childhood. It was pure magic for me.  Then, “Why Can’t We Be Friends” started with the familiar piano chords, and I was up on my feet, clapping and swaying, swept up in the positive energy.  The band members took turns, each handling a verse, and then Jordan coaxed the audience in for the last verse.  Jordan engaged in some syncopated vocals with the band to wrap up the iconic song.

Lonnie yelled out, “Are there any low riders in the house?” as a tease for the next song.   The iconic cowbell ticked off the intro, and the crowd went wild.  The sax and harp joined forces for the famed melody fills.  Midway through the song, Lonnie introduced the band in a sing-song manner.  He also thanked the audience for coming to see the band and referred to the crowd as his “rock-n-roll hall of fans.”  The band then “takes a little trip” right back into the song to bring it home. The song ended, the band left the stage, and the audience began chanting “War,” or maybe it was “More” either way, the band heeded the call and returned to the stage for one more song.

Stuart Ziff guitarist

Guitarist Ziff started things off, delivering some nostalgia and fun with the intro to Safaris, “Pipeline,”  which then spilled into the “James Bond Theme” and finally finished up with some of his splintering solo fretwork. The castanets kicked off “Gypsy Man.”  A blustery steel snare solo from Reyes was followed up with Behrens breathtaking harp work. Lonnie added his haunting rhythms on the keyboard, and the song blazed on as the entire band played with unbridled fury.  The finale ended abruptly, followed by an eruption of applause and screams of appreciation for a riveting performance.

Tonight’s show was a testament to the authentic talent of these phenomenal musicians. Lonnie Jordan is like a fine wine improving with the passage of time.  Since the beginning, Lonnie Jordan has been the staple of War. From the early days, co-founding the band Nightshift (which became War in 1969) to the band recording and backing up artist Eric Burdon, and onto War’s success during the ’70s and touring throughout the years, Jordan has remained.  For more than 50 years with War, the multi-talented Jordan has played the role of guitarist, keyboard player, percussionist, and vocalist.  In addition, he has also recorded as a solo artist and has also recorded with Eric Burdon, Tanya Tucker, T. Rex, and Los Lobos.

Drummer Sal Rodriguez has been recording and performing with War for over 30 years.  Rodriguez is a seasoned, prolific musician who has toured with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Eric Burdon, Tom Jones, Jose Feliciano, Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night), and many other famous artists.  He has also appeared on Conan O’Brian, Regis and Kelly, The Today Show, Full House, George Lopez, and the movie Mars Attacks.

Marcos Reyes has been, percussionist for War since 1998.  At age seventeen, Reyes taught himself to play congas and is a sought-after session musician.  He has recorded music for film and television, including Showtime, HBO, and PBS. Reyes also leads his own band, teaches and conducts percussion clinics.

Native New Yorker guitarist Stuart Ziff joined the band in 2002. Ziff is an aficionado of many genres, including Blues, R&B, Funk, Rock, and Reggae.  He has supported many legends, such as Wilson Pickett, Charles Brown, and has acted as a session artist for Martha Reeves and Mary Wells.  He played guitar on Broadway for National Lampoon Class of ’86 and O’Calcutta. He also co-wrote the #1 single “Thinkin’ Problem” with country artist David Ball.

Stanley Behrens and Scott Martin

Stanley Behrens has been with War since 2011. He began playing harmonica at age five and has recorded on several of jazz organists, Jimmy Smith’s albums, and played on several TV soundtracks, including Rockford Files, Renegade Quantum Leap, and My Name is Earl.  He has toured the world as a harmonica, saxophone, and flute player and toured with Canned Heat in 2000.

Flute and saxophone player Scott Martin joined War in 2017.  Scott’s numerous compositions have been featured on TV shows such as Sex and the City, Jimmy Kimmel Show, and more. He has also recorded with Ray Charles, Billy Preston, Sam Moore, Barry Manilow, Dr. Dre, Chick Corea, and many others.

Bassist Rene Camacho received a degree in Jazz Studies and Composition. He played with Salsa Queen, Celia Cruz, and Tito Puente. He also worked with many notable artists such as Sergio Mendes, Ry Cooder, Michael Buble’, Michael McDonald, Linda Ronstadt, The Pointer Sisters, Rickie Lee Jones, and more.

This War ensemble is made up of highly talented veteran musicians who, year after year, continue to dazzle their audience with outstanding live performances overflowing with their signature uplifting energy and enduring message of peace and love.   After the show, I had a chance to talk with Lonnie Jordan briefly. I asked him about upcoming projects for the band.  He revealed that there is a broadway show about the history of War in the works. He also talked about a video that should be coming out soon featuring Tik Tok’s beloved Doggface208 (The Cranberry, skateboarder who sang Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” while cruising to work). Jordan dropped some names, Cheech and Chong and Snoop Dog, as well as some others who collaborated on the project featuring the song “Low Rider,” or did he say “No Lighter?”  I guess we’ll have to wait and see. BackStage360 thanks Lonnie Jordan for taking the time to chat with us and for delivering a fantastic show. We also send a big shout-out to Pala Casino for hosting great acts like War and hosting multiple venues with premium sound for all of us live music fanatics to enjoy.

JenB. / BackStage360