War's eclectically musical style stayed true even to their lineup, with a racially integrated group that performed funky melding soul throughout the ‘70s. War's method was simple; it made everyone equal. In a group that started as an R&B cover band called the Creators, War's politically charged themes and group-minded approach made them one of the most successful pop funk groups of their time.

Guitarist Howard Scott and drummer Harold Brown started their original group in 1962 while attending Compton High School and eventually included keyboardist Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan, bassist Morris "B.B." Dickerson and saxophonist/flutist Charles Miller. After a small hiatus and a few locally released recordings, the group was renamed Nightshift in 1968 with new bassist Peter Rosen and percussionist Thomas Sylvester "Papa Dee" Allen, although when Rosen died a year later of a drug overdose Dickerson returned to the group.

When producer Jerry Goldstein heard the group, he handed the boys over to former Animals lead singer Eric Burdon, who took charge of Nightshift and renamed them War. The group recorded their first studio album, Eric Burdon Declares War, in 1970 and saw a smash hit in their single "Spill the Wine," a number three hit. The group's sophomore effort appeared just a few months later and showcased the talents of every musician in the group as well as their love to rage on for hours. Signing a contract with United Artists, War separated themselves from Burdon, wanting to record material of their own, This left Burdon dispelled and eventually he left during War's European tour in 1971, only returning for a final US tour.

War started working on their own, recording two albums minus Burdon in 1971, the second of which saw their first Top 40 hits with "All Day Music" and "Slippin' Into Darkness." The rest of their albums created more funk anthems and chart-topping success ("Why Can't We Be Friends") that gave the boys success throughout the ‘70s. When disco emerged and War moved to MCA, their 1977 album Galaxy was the last time the group hit the Top 40. As the lineup started to disintegrate, the group gained new members and continued to tour. But it wasn't enough for the one-time funk masters, and the group only returned as an oldies group, rehashing their classic material.