WAR Marks 50 Years of 'Why Can’t We Be Friends?' with Deluxe Anniversary Set Honoring Their Legacy and Message of Unity

This June, WAR will unveil Why Can’t We Be Friends? (50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition), a tribute to the multi-million-selling, chart-topping album that left an indelible mark on music history. This deluxe 3CD and digital set honors 50 years of some of the band's most iconic tracks, including the timeless title song “Why Can’t We Be Friends?,” the effortlessly cool “Low Rider,” “So,” and more. Originally released in 1975, Why Can’t We Be Friends? remains a groundbreaking album—defined by unforgettable melodies, a unifying message, and a cultural influence that continues to resonate in music, film, and social movements today.

Arriving June 6th via Avenue/Rhino, this special edition not only celebrates the album’s milestone anniversary but also honors WAR’s 55-year journey as musical innovators and cultural changemakers. Hailed as “one of the most seminal bands in music” (Billboard), WAR also “wrote the biggest, loudest book” on low rider Cali-cool multiculturalism (Variety).

Newly remastered by Bernie Grundman, the Collector’s Edition features the original album plus two additional discs packed with unreleased bonus tracks, rare jam sessions, and behind-the-scenes audio—including a revealing recording about the making of “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” This expanded 3CD and Digital release follows the 3LP vinyl edition, which debuted as a 2025 Record Store Day exclusive. WAR’s previous box set for The World Is a Ghetto was named Best New Reissue by Pitchfork and hailed among the year’s best by The New York Times, Variety, and more.

WAR’s dynamic blend of funk, soul, jazz, Latin, and rock—rooted in streetwise rhythms and socially conscious lyrics—first catapulted them to prominence 55 years ago. Their signature message of peace and unity reached far and wide, even being broadcast into space by NASA during the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz mission. Their songs have since been sampled or covered by countless artists, including Tupac, Janet Jackson, Method Man, Sublime, De La Soul, The Muppets, George Clinton, ZZ Top, and many more.

With over 50 million albums sold, 20 gold and platinum records, multiple Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations, and a GRAMMY Hall of Fame induction, WAR helped shape the soundtrack of the 1970s—and their message of harmony still resonates. More than a musical milestone, this anniversary edition reaffirms the album’s relevance today.

As WAR enters its sixth decade, their impact remains undeniable. Their 2024 debut in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and a packed international tour schedule—including a headlining set at the LA County Fair—highlight the ongoing power of their music. 

Track Listing:

CD 1 – Why Can’t We Be Friends?

1. Don’t Let No One Get You Down

2. Lotus Blossom

3. Heartbeat

4. Leroy’s Latin Lament (Medley):
    - Lonnie Dreams
    - The Way We Feel
    - La Fiesta
    - Lament

5. Smile Happy

6. So

7. Low Rider

8. In Mazatlan

9. Why Can’t We Be Friends?

CD 2 – Bonus Tracks & Alternate Mixes (Disc 1):

1. Zorro (Bonus Track)

2. Don’t Let No One Get You Down (Original Unedited Mix)

3. Roam & Ramble (Bonus Track)

4. Low Rider (Original Unedited Mix)

5. So (Unedited Remix)

CD 3 – Bonus Tracks & Studio Footage (Disc 2):

1. Oatmeal Box (Bonus Track)

2. Heartbeat (Original Jam)

3. The Making of “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”

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