In late 1969, he formed the radical funk/soul/jazz band "Eric Burdon & War". They had hits with "Spill the Wine", "Tobacco Road", "Paint it Black" and "They Can't Take Away Our Music". He left them during their European tour in early 1971 to start a solo career, which has seen him in the genres of heavy metal, glam rock, new age, pop rock, reggae, hip hop and many more.