SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 5, 2011 -- Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) has acquired the rights to the extraordinary catalog of WAR, the band that created such oft-covered and much-sampled funk-rock classics as "Why Can't We Be Friends?," "Low Rider," "Spill The Wine," "The Cisco Kid," "Slippin' Into Darkness" and "Summer."  WAR is the centerpiece of a long-term exclusive license agreement which brings the entire Avenue Records catalog to UMe, a division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company.

During the next month -- celebrating the 40th anniversary of the band on its own -- several WAR albums will be made available for digital download for the first time and fans will be able to obtain a free classic track via Facebook.  WAR is also currently in the studio preparing a new album.

Said Bruce Resnikoff, President and CEO, UMe: "WAR is a multicultural melting pot that has had an enduring influence on music.  This is a group that truly brought together people of all races and backgrounds.  From the time its songs were first released to its popularity with rap and hip-hop audiences decades later, WAR has remained a fan favorite and a culturally relevant band.  UMe is proud to make possible the continuation of the legacy of WAR."

Added Jerry Goldstein, CEO, Far Out Records, and WAR's co-producer: "It is a testament to the quality of the music that 40 years after the first solo WAR album the band's music is still both critically acclaimed and popular.  Thanks to this agreement, this great music will be available to fans old and new far into the future."    

Making their digital premieres on May 3rd will be 1997's Coleccion Latina, which brings together WAR's favorite tracks for Latin fans, and two original 1979 albums, The Music Band and The Music Band 2.

On Facebook, for one week only (May 3-10), fans who "like" WAR's page will receive a free download of the 1977 hit "WAR Is Coming! WAR Is Coming!"  Also in May, WAR will stage its always very popular annual show at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.  The May 28th concert will additionally feature Tower of Power and Tierra.  This spring and summer, WAR will perform coast-to-coast, including Fiesta Atlanta (May 1), the California State Fair (July 23) and the Los Angeles County Fair (September 16).

After two discs and the gold "Spill The Wine" with Eric Burdon as lead singer, WAR debuted as headliner with a self-titled album in 1971.  Later that year, All Day Music scored with the gold "Slippin' Into Darkness."  1972's The World Is A Ghetto, with the gold "The Cisco Kid" and gold title track, not only charted #1 but was named Billboard's Album of the Year and went quadruple platinum.  The multiplatinum Deliver The Word with the Top 10 "Gypsy Man" in 1973 continued the band's success as did 1975's multiplatinum Why Can't We Be Friends?.  The latter's gold title track as well as "Low Rider" became the group's most recognizable hits.  The following year's quadruple platinum Greatest Hits featured the new song "Summer," which went gold. 1987's The Best Of WAR...And More also earned platinum.  

From "Why Can't We Be Friends?" being played for the world via a U.S.-Soviet space mission to "Low Rider" being the theme for the recent "Lopez Tonight" and "The George Lopez Show" sitcom; from national TV ad campaigns to major motion pictures, hit TV shows and blockbuster video games, the music of WAR has spanned cultures and generations, and continues to prove timeless.

SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises