Untitled Document

After the breakup of Eric Burdon and the Animals, Eric returned to England for an Animals Reunion on December 22, 1968. For the next several months, Eric sought out films like Zabriskie Point and parts which unfortunately never amounted to much of anything. At this time he also jammed with such music icons as Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Canned Heat and an unknown Danish harmonica player, Lee Oskar while ensconcing himself in L.A.'s burgeoning music scene.

"On stage a harmonica player was wailing. He was white with an Afro hairstyle."
Eric Burdon, 1986

Summer of 1969 proved to be a turning point in his career when he ran across a band, The Night Shift, whose decisive blend of blues funk would prove to be a musical breakthrough in Eric's career. Together Eric and The Night Shift established a new group, WAR, whose line-up included that Danish harmonica player player, Lee Oskar as well as Harold Brown, Dee Allen, Howard Scott, Charles Miller, Lonnie Jordan and B.B. Dickerson.

They made their debut in September 1969 in San Bernardino, California and in January 1970 began recording their debut LP, Eric Burdon declares "WAR". Spill the Wine was an unbridled success in both America and overseas and on September 12, 1970, WAR made their British Debut in a free concert in London's Hyde Park. According to Dionisio Castello, "Eric bowed to the audience showing his bottom and then began to sing P.C.3". Anyone who knows that particular piece of art would not be surprised that the Queen would have found that particular peice rather offensive, its a wonder that London didn't.

"After Jimi walked out of that dressing room at Ronnie Scott's, I never saw him again."
Eric Burdon, 1986

Eric Burdon, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayall, Steve Winwood about 1968

War began a weeks residence at Ronnie Scott's Club on September 14 and two days later, Jimi Hendrix went on stage for an extremely memorable jam session with War. That would be his last public performance before he was found dead two days later of a drug overdose.

IOn January 30, 1971 Eric collapsed after a show in Sutton Coldfield and although he performed again on February 5, that would be his last show of that tour when he finally succombed to his illness, pneumonia and congenital asthma. He returned to California without his band and this marked the end of Eric Burdon and WAR. WAR would go on to a lucrative career without their outspoken frontman.

In Spring 1971 Eric and Jimmy Witherspoon began a friendship which would lead to their only collaborative effort, Guilty! The backing band, Tovarish, was comprised of the musicians Bob Morcereau, George Suranovich, John Sterling, Terry Ryan and Kim Kesterson, many of whom would perform with Eric in the coming decade.

By June 1972, Eric and Tovarish had disbanded and Eric went to Mexico for two months for rest. Upon his return Eric embarked on a personal project which had the potential to make rock history entitled, Mirage. In April 1973 Eric had resumed his music career and now had a new band backing him. Eric on vocals, Alvin Taylor on drums, Aalon Butler and Randy Rice on guitars comprised what would come to be known as the Eric Burdon Band. In January 1974, Snuffy Walden was added as a third guitarist. They made an appearance in Don Kirschner's TV show, "Rock Concert" which proved to further their publicity.

"The moody, wild-living, raucous singer of ten years ago has mellowed to an easy-going, happily married man"
Tynside Journal, 1972

In March 1974 the Eric Burdon Band began a tour of the US to promote their latest LP, Sun Secrets. In 1975 their followup LP, Stop, was released. In 1972, Eric met and married a woman, Rose and together they had a daughter born in 1974. Eric a family man? Nah, not yet anyway. The last half of 1975 proved to be a difficult time for Eric on both a professional and personal level. In addition to what would seem like the eminent demise of the Eric Burdon Band, Eric's record company refused to produce Mirage and Eric sunk into a period of professional and financial strife.

In December 1975, Eric and his old band members, John and Chas began plans for an Animals Reunion tour. This would not pan out for several years and in the interim, Eric formed yet another band and toured the US and the UK with the line-up changing as often as one would change their shirt.