Expect hits at Morley show

By JOHN BENSON

entertainment@vindy.com

A feeling of spiritual happiness is what WAR singer-guitarist-pianist Lonnie Jordan is promising fans who attend the “Low Rider” band’s free show Friday at Judge Morley Pavilion.

“Everybody will have to bring plenty of water because our stage will be smoking,” said Jordan, 62, calling from Los Angeles.

“I think people will come in, smile, sing along with the songs, get flashbacks and memories of the songs and leave with a positive, happy attitude like they just came out of church.”

In talking to Jordan, one detects a distinct hippie vibe that permeates his conversation about life and WAR, the ’60s and ’70s band that scored hit songs with “Spill the Wine,” “The Cisco Kid” and, naturally, its definitive track, “Low Rider.” The latter tune has gone on to have a life of its own within the Mexican community. In addition to the laid-back song appearing in numerous feature films, including “Robots,” “Dazed and Confused,” “Friday” and “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” the track has been adopted by comedian George Lopez as his theme to his television shows, “George Lopez” and “Lopez Tonight.”

So did Jordan know “Low Rider” would be a top-10 hit for the band when it recorded the 1975 song?

“No, as a matter of a fact we didn’t even think it would get played on the radio,” Jordan said. “We didn’t think any of our music would get played on the radio to be honest, because of its uniqueness. It kind of raised the eyebrow of the record labels and even radio stations because it just wasn’t what they were used to hearing on the radio. So we were very blessed to get a breakthrough.”

As for being blessed to score another hit song, Jordan is hopeful about WAR’s new track, “That L.A. Sunshine,” which he characterizes as an extension of “Low Rider.” The easygoing song features the University of Southern California Marching Band horn section and will be released later this summer on a compilation. There’s also talk of WAR releasing a new studio project by next spring.

Even though Jordan said the outfit has new tracks ready to go, audiences attending the Youngstown show shouldn’t expect to hear them.

“I don’t want to bore people,” Jordan said. “We have too many hits from the past and also songs that were never released as singles from back in the day that maybe someone heard and wants to hear again. I don’t like going to a concert and hearing somebody play a song. I don’t care how good it sounds, just give me what I came for and paid to come hear. Don’t bore me. I’ll go to sleep.”

So while some folks may fall asleep in church, Jordan promises the upcoming spiritual WAR experience will be an education for audiences of all ages.

“At our shows, the younger generation gets a little bit of history if they’re curious what their parents or grandparents were like back in those days,” Jordan said. “So there is a connection with history, along with the memories that didn’t die, and that’s why I believe audiences still come out to see WAR.”