Feature Song: “Low Rider”
This band (originally called Eric Burdon and War) had not been on my radar for quite some time until I happened to come across a YouTube video of them performing the featured song live on Venice Beach in 2021 (middle picture). I had forgotten how much I loved this band in the 70s when they had most of their hit songs, like “Spill the Wine,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends?,” and of course the featured song, “Low Rider,” from their 1975 album, Why Can’t We Be Friend? It became a huge hit and received an additional boost in popularity when it was used for the opening credits of Cheech and Chong’s iconic 1978 movie, Up In Smoke.
The band formed in Long Beach, California in 1969 and was considered to be a musical crossover band because of its eclectic blend of musical styles, an amalgam of the sounds and styles the band members heard living in the racially diverse ghettos of Los Angeles. The band transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multi-ethnic lineup. In this sense, they were continuing a trend established in the late 50s and early 60s now known as “Chicano Rock,” following, in a way, the likes of Ritchie Valens, ? and the Mysterians, Three Midniters, El Chicano, Cannibal and the Headhunters, and Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, among others. Although the band went through many line changes over the course of its existence, Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan, in the middle photo above holding the microphone, is the sole original member in the current lineup.
In its early configuration with Eric Burdon, the band toured extensively across Europe and the United States, often being heralded as “Best Live Band We’ve Ever Seen.” Burdon’s stay with the band was short-lived (only two years). During a tour to support their two-disc set, The Black Man’s Burdon (1970), Burdon collapsed on stage during a concert from an asthma attack, and the band completed the tour without him. When they returned to the US in 1971, they completed their first album, the self-titled War, which met with moderate success.
The featured song’s lyrics take the cool, laidback image of the “lowrider,” the Chicano culture’s practice of hydraulically hot-rodding classic cars and, by using innuendo, extends the image to a lifestyle. I have to add that this “lifestyle” is alive and well in the 2020s. A few years ago in Los Angeles, there was the opening of the newly built 6th Street Bridge, which connects Boyle Heights (a predominately Hispanic suburb) with the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles. The parade of these “lowriders” from Boyle Heights was definitely something to see, and as I can see the bridge from my window where I live, I can confirm the vehicular spectacle!
What I love most about this song are the driving (pun intended) bass line provided by B.B. Dickerson, which is present almost throughout the song, and the alto saxophone and harmonica riff by Charles Miller, who also provides lead vocals and a saxophone solo towards the end that includes a siren-like sound, while Lee Oskar doubles the alto sax line on the harmonica. My choice for the cover comes from the oft-used Hindley Street Social Club (HSCC), as I felt they did a pretty good job of replicating the original. However, this song has been covered and sampled numerous times, so there are extra treats for you to enjoy.
For example, the Beastie Boys sampled “Low Rider” on their song, “Slow Ride,” from their 1986 album, Licensed to Ill. Three years later, thrash metal band, Exodus, covered the song on their third studio album, Fabulous Disaster and, nearly a decade later, the song was covered by nu metal band, Korn, on their 1996 studio album, Life Is Peachy. In 1999, Barry White recorded a version for his album, Staying Power. The HSCC cover is the latest offering from 2024.
Enjoy.
War. “Low Rider” 1975.
War. “Low Rider” 1975, Funky Purrfection Version.
War. “Low Rider” live from Venice Beach (50th anniversary celebration), 2021.
Cheech & Chong Up in Smoke opening credits 1978.
Beastie Boys “Slow Ride” 1986.
Exodus. “Low Rider” cover 1989.
KoRn. “Low Rider” cover (extended) 1996.
Barry White. “Low Rider” cover 1999.
And finally, my chosen cover!
HSCC. “Low Rider” cover 2024.
Los Angeles 2025
Low Rider
Such a great song and cool cars! Always liked what Burdon did with War. Funky Perfection was pretty good, would not have remembered that connection with Cheech & Chong. Live version quite good. Beastie Boys doing what they do there. Exodus, what’s that called again “trash metal”? Korn much improved version. Barry White was a bit of a disappointment mostly because of the background. HSCC, pretty good job for a bunch of old dudes.
Trash metal indeed. Yeah, I was a bit underwhelmed with the Barry white cover but I figured what the hell! Love the song though, always have.
You know I don’t think I ever listened to a cover of that song.
Wow, nine videos? But seriously, I was a big fan of War and always loved this song. I agree with you that the HSCC version is by far the best of the bunch. I think the Exodus cover is actually pretty good from a musical standpoint, however, I really dislike the singer’s annoying gruff vocals. Have to disagree with Randy re: Korn’s version, as I don’t like it at all, but agree that Barry White’s cover disappoints. The 6th St. bridge is fantastic.
Yeah, went a little overboard on this one. The 6th Street Bdige used to be fantastic before thieves stripped all the copper wire so no more colorful lights at night, which is what made it spectacular. The city is also fighting a losing battle with the graffiti cretins. Big sigh.
Oh no, that’s awful! There should be a special place in hell for copper thieves; when we lived in St. Louis, thieves cut a portion of the copper line for the A/C in our carriage house next to the alley, which ended up costing us over $1,000 to repair!
Great song, great covers. LOVE the Beastie Boys ❤️