Lowriders Have the Blues Too

Eric Burdon and Jerry Goldstein didn’t feel like Long Beach was a battlefield when first meeting Harold Brown and Howard Scott in 1969. “War” certainly was declared, however. “The World Is a Ghetto,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” and the thematic “Low Rider” have been anthems of the community for over 40 years!

Founding members, Harold Brown and Howard Scott are locals to the area; in fact you might catch Harold without drumsticks trekking the streets. The founding members of War, with the exception of the late Charles Miller, “Papa” Dee Allen and B.B Dickerson are combusting this Labor Day weekend at the New Blues Festivals mainstage under the new name, Lowrider Band.

The band features fantastic musicianship with Lance Ellis on sax and flutes, Pete Cole on the keys, Calvin Mosely on bass, Charles Green on sax and vocals and Charles Barber on percussion.

Lowrider Band wants the crowds to feel “LOVE” from the music this year. For the fans who couldn’t tell, the music of the Lowrider Band is an intercultural music bound together by the tradition of blues.

Take a listen to the recordings of Lee Oskar’s harp or Brown’s syncopated double shuffles. It’s clear that the spice of their sound has a bit more of a kick than your common chili pepper.

The members of Lowrider Band have compiled over 17 professional albums and certified Platinum on two of their greatest hits albums. Sweetening through the ageslike wine! This group is a bundle of dynamite which blew a hole in Long Beach long ago, and we’re still hearing echoes. Thank goodness they’re featured on the New Blues Festival Stage this year at El Dorado Park. Tickets are available online at: newbluesfestival.com.

Story/photo courtesy New Blues Festival