Lonnie Jordan still plays for War’s “Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fans”

Updated 7/12/2024 9:00 AM, 1/16/2024 12:01 AM

(Editor’s note: The War concert was originally scheduled for January but was postponed due to inclement weather. It has been rescheduled for Saturday July 20. We are re-posting this story with War front man Lonnie Jordan.)

It has been more than a half-century since the band “War” reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with “The World is a Ghetto,” the best-selling album of 1973.

The band, fronted by original member Lonnie Jordan, is still alive and kicking. War plays Chinook Winds Casino and Resort, the concert beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Utilizing a unique sound that provided an array of funk, rock, soul and Latin music, “War” was one of the world’s most popular bands through the early 1970s, with a dozen top-40 singles, including Spill the Wine (No. 3, 1970), Cisco Kid (No. 2, 1972), The World is a Ghetto, (No. 3, 1972), Low Rider (No. 7, 1975) and Why Can’t We Be Friends? (No. 6, 1976). Three of War’s albums reached No. 1 on the R&B Charts.

Jordan joined Howard Scott and Harold Brown in the R&B cover band “The Creators” in 1963; in 1968 the band became “Nightshift.” The members began backing Pro Football Hall of Famer David “Deacon” Jones during his singing performances in an L.A. nightclub, where they were discovered by record producer Jerry Goldstein. He had been a songwriter/producer for “The Strangeloves” (“I Want Candy”) and McCoys (“Hang On Sloopy”) and would later serve as manager for Sly Stone.

In the era of protest and unrest due to the Vietnam War in the 1960s, the multi-cultural, mixed-race band became “War.” Jordan said the band’s mission was to “spread a message of brotherhood and harmony through our music.”

In 1969, British rocker Eric Burdon of “The Animals” saw the band play and took charge of the group, and for a time they were called “Eric Burdon and War.” Burdon was lead singer for their first hit single, “Spill the Wine.” He left the group to become a solo performer in 1971, and over the next five years, “War” reigned as one of the world’s most important musical groups without him.

War today (courtesy Far Out Productions)

In 1996, most of the members departed, regrouping to form “Lowrider Band.” Jordan stayed with Goldstein and created a new version of “War.” Today, both bands play the music of the original “War” contingent.

War’s current eight-piece band plays an average of 50 to 60 dates a year — it performed 63 times in 2023. Besides Jordan, Sal Rodriguez (drums, percussion, vocals), James Zota Baker (guitar, vocals) and Marcos Reyes (percussion) have been members of the group for more than 25 years.

Jordan, 75, called on Monday for a half-hour phone interview from his home in Los Angeles.

Q: How often have you played Oregon through the years?

JORDAN: Back in the ‘70s, we did a lot of shows in Salem, Eugene, Portland. We did a lot of shows in Seattle, too. I don’t remember what the venues were, but we played a lot of outdoor concerts and a lot of arenas up there with Burdon and War, and then just as War. I’m pretty sure this will be the first time we have played at Chinook Winds.

Q: Your original members were all from Southern California. Did you grow up in San Diego?

JORDAN: I was born in San Diego, but I grew up in Compton. Straight into Compton, not outta. Then I went straight outta Compton to Hollywood.

Q: How did you get turned on to playing music?

JORDAN: As a boy — maybe nine, maybe younger — I listened to a lot of artists of different genres on the radio. I was really curious about how the artists felt as they were singing their songs. I didn’t understand how they did one take and felt the vibes in expressing themselves, and at the same time even made me feel good about it. These were artists who played instruments, and also some who were singers. It was mind-blowing for me to know how they did it. I tried to figure it out myself by playing by ear. Luckily, I found the Midas touch.

Q: What was it like working with the great David “Deacon” Jones early in your career?

JORDAN: (Laughs) It was like playing football. We would play behind him on stage. He was pretty much competing with (fellow defensive line star) Rosey Grier, who also had a singing career. Deacon had a hard time doing it. His performance was pretty much doing pushups. He recorded a song called, “It’s Not How Well You Play, but How Well You Play the Game.” We didn’t record that one with him.

Q: How instrumental has Jerry Goldstein been to your band’s success?

JORDAN: He is like part of the band. He was instrumental in writing the songs with us. He did everything but playing the music, and he could have done that. He understood what we were doing when no one else in the world understood our style of music. Well, he pretty much didn’t understand it, either, but he was patient enough to form his own opinions of what it was. He fell into place with what we were about. We didn’t even know what we were about; he opened our minds to what we were doing. The only way we knew was to start pushing the buttons in the studio.

Q: Did that come about organically?

JORDAN: It was all organic. We didn’t know what we were doing. We were going into the studio for the first time. If they didn’t push the (recording) button, everything was lost. Everybody had his own individual style. Together, we meshed. Together we mixed a bowl of gumbo, or a tossed salad. It was just, “Play and be happy.”

Lead singer and original member Lonnie Jordan (courtesy Far Out Productions)

Q: Is Jerry still involved with the band?

JORDAN: Jerry and I are the only originals left, and we are both writing and still recording. We are the band.

Q: In 1969, Eric Burdon heard you playing the blues and fell in love with your band. What was it like playing music with Eric?

JORDAN: It was amazing. We learned a lot from Eric. When he heard us play at the Guys and Dolls club, we were playing Latin, classical, jazz, R&B, country — everything. He told Jerry, “They don’t only play the blues, but everything else.” He heard it all and said, ‘“That’s me band.’” Before he could say another word, we were rehearsing and went onto the road.

Eric taught us so much about how to improvise on stage, like creating a movie score. On tour, we became a reflection of the people (in the audience). The people would give us their energy, and we gave energy back to them. We were a reflection back and forth with each other. There was a lot he gave us that we learned. I still use that style Eric taught.

Q: Your first gig with Eric was at the Devonshire Downs Pop Festival in Northridge, Calif., a three-day event that was attended by 150,000 people.

JORDAN: The people looked like ants, all the way to the back. A lot of naked bodies. Everybody was on that show bill. It was another Woodstock.

Q: The cast of 33 bands was extraordinary — Jimi Hendrix, Ike and Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Byrds, the Rascals, the Grass Roots, Three Dog Night.

JORDAN: And we came out and we burnt the stage. People had to drink more water. The stage was burning. It blew our own minds.

Q: You guys had so many great hits through the ‘70s. What was the secret to your success?

JORDAN: We continued doing what we were doing with Eric. “Spill the Wine” was a gem that we wrote. Eric came into the studio one day and I accidentally spilled some wine on a mixing board. That was it. To this day, Jerry and I pretty much write our songs based on experiences and the energy from it. Now it’s gotten to a point where Jerry has become Hal David and I have become Burt Bacharach. We turn on the tape and come up with something from an idea one of us had. From a theme, go in the studio and start laying down some tracks.

Q: What did it mean to have the “World is a Ghetto” album reach No. 1 in 1973?

JORDAN: It made me think, “We finally have a legacy that we’re leaving in the world.” I just didn’t know people were that into us at the time. We were recording for ourselves. We didn’t think people would like any of our music. It was too different. Everything else on the radio sounds pretty much the same. When I heard it was No. 1, it was like Sally Field saying, “You really love me.” (Laughs) It meant a lot to me.

From that point, my mindset was, “I’m going to give back.” That’s why I’m still performing. I want to continue performing for the people. They are our “Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fans.” I will continue to play until I’m another 75 years old.

The band “War” in 1967

Q: The band members split during the ‘90s, you staying with “War,” several others going to “Lowrider Band.” Is there friction between you now or do you guys get along?

JORDAN: We don’t keep in contact. I still have love for the guys, though. No animosity. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here, and vice versa. We had a divorce, but we made a lot of beautiful children. Cisco Kid, The World is a Ghetto — the list goes on.

I go along because I don’t want to let the people down. They don’t know anything about what’s going behind the scenes. They don’t want to hear about any drama. They just want to be entertained. They want to hear the soundtrack to what they grew up with.  That’s where I step in.

Q: War has been nominated three times for the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame (2009, ’14 and ’15) but you have not been inducted yet. How do you feel about that?

JORDAN: I feel honored that someone understands our genre of music enough to even place us in any category. Back in the day, there was no category for our style of music. Reggae, Latin, pop, R&B— what? We understood that. If we don’t make it, we still have our Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fans. That’s really important to me. They put us here, and they can always take us out.

Q: Do you have a personal favorite song among your hits?

JORDAN: There is one song that didn’t become a hit. “Baby it’s Cold Outside.” Not enough people ask for it, but that’s my favorite.

Q: Is that the Christmas song?

JORDAN: No. It has the same title. it’s a slow song we recorded. (Lonnie breaks into singing, “Since you been gone, baby it’s cold outside.”)

Q: Could you play it Saturday at Chinook Winds?

JORDAN: Don’t tempt me now. (Laughs) Maybe we’ll do a little medley. We have so many songs. I’m just afraid if I don’t play all the hits, the fans will get mad at me. I won’t hear the end of it. With the hits we do have and the amount of time we have to play, it’s still not enough. I have to keep on top of all of that.

Q: You are still playing great music more than 60 years after you started. That must be a tremendous source of pride for you.

JORDAN: It is. If it weren’t for my fans, I wouldn’t be here. They have given me all the energy I have needed, except from my wife. They have given me all the energy to stay on that stage to entertain them forever and ever.

Q: What is it about music that still moves you after all these years?

JORDAN: Every time I get on stage, I change it up a bit. I can’t wait to make mistakes on stage so they can be repeated and corrected, and that gives me insight for a new song. It’s always something to look forward to. I look forward to spending time, too, with our existing band. Can’t wait to play. They’re happy to see me, and me to see them.

Q: So you like the musicians you have around you now?

JORDAN: They’re great. I always tell them, once you get on stage, look out at the people. They will let you know how to play. This is a raw, organic band. Turn the word “raw” around and what do you get? War. I tell the guys, “Don’t start thinking. Just play.”

Q: You have played a variety of instruments through the years, including guitar.

JORDAN: Now it’s just keyboards and vocals. I like to go in front of the stage, to immerse myself as being part of the audience. I like to hear them sing, and then go back to singing it myself.

Q: How is your health?

JORDAN: Grrreatttt. (Lonnie roars like Tony the Tiger, then laughs.) Lonnie the Tiger. I’m a vegan. I base my health on my insides being in great shape. Nothing like having good tissues. I don’t plan to have issues in my tissues. I exercise a lot. I get a lot of rest. My only bad habit is I drink wine. I narrow it down these days to a glass of wine with dinner. I run. I can walk fast. I do everything fast. And I’m not overweight. I’m good to go. I love myself for that. My health is very good at 75.

Q: You mentioned your wife of 34 years, Teresa Jordan.

JORDAN: She is 66. We met when she was 17. She is a chef. She doesn’t work at any restaurant. She works in our kitchen to keep me healthy. She is my personal chef. Prepares only raw or cooked vegan foods.

Q: What kind of a concert can the folks at Chinook Winds expect on Saturday night?

JORDAN: A hot concert. Just bring plenty of water. The stage will be smoking. That’s all I have to say.

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