The Cisco Kid

The Zoo Crew is spinning the funky vibes of The Cisco Kid by War, a track from their 1972 album The World Is a Ghetto, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This song, which hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100, was inspired by the 1950s TV series The Cisco Kid, featuring the adventures of Cisco and his partner Pancho. War’s guitarist Howard Scott sparked the idea, as drummer Harold Brown shared in an interview: “Howard was sitting on his amp and said, ‘Harold, I got this idea. Cisco Kid was a friend of mine.’ ” The band saw Cisco as a rare ethnic hero in a sea of white cowboy icons like Roy Rogers, aiming to give kids a figure they could relate to. The song’s infectious rhythm, driven by Brown’s drumming inspired by Sam & Dave’s I Thank You, and its mix of saxophone, harmonica, and guitar riffs, made it a standout. Fun fact: War met the TV show’s star, Duncan Renaldo, at his home in Santa Barbara. Brown recalled Renaldo’s wife emphasizing, “He don’t drink no wine,” a nod to the song’s lyric about Cisco drinking whiskey and Pancho sipping wine. War even used a clip of Cisco saying, “See you later, amigo,” to kick off live performances of the song.

The song’s cultural impact runs deep, especially in Southern California’s Chicano communities. War’s fusion of funk, Latin percussion, and soul resonated at backyard barbecues and car club gatherings, as noted in a Billboard feature. The Cisco Kid celebrated a Mexican antihero, challenging stereotypes and reflecting the struggles of marginalized groups during the civil rights era. Fans on Reddit have shared stories of seeing War perform it live, with one recalling a 2017 Los Angeles show where the band played for over two hours, weaving in social commentary and tales of their youth. The song’s bassline, laid down by B.B. Dickerson, is often praised for its groove, with a 2017 No Treble post calling it “simple but fun” after a Midnight Special performance clip resurfaced. Its legacy endures, even appearing on Lowdown FM in Grand Theft Auto V.

War began in 1969 in Long Beach, California, as a group of musicians from diverse neighborhoods, including East L.A. and Compton. Originally called Nightshift, they blended funk, rock, jazz, Latin, and reggae, creating a unique “progressive soul” sound, as music writer Colin Larkin described. The band, then including Howard Scott, Harold Brown, B.B. Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Charles Miller, Lee Oskar, and Papa Dee Allen, caught the attention of producer Jerry Goldstein, who paired them with British rocker Eric Burdon, formerly of The Animals. As Eric Burdon and War, they scored a hit with Spill the Wine in 1970. After Burdon left in 1971, War signed with United Artists and found success with hits like The World Is a Ghetto, Low Rider, and, of course, The Cisco Kid. Their music, rooted in the cultural melting pot of Los Angeles, connected with Black and Chicano audiences, especially lowrider car clubs, as keyboardist Lonnie Jordan noted: “Chicanos and blacks shared one thing: lowriders.”

Stay connected with War through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and celebrate their legacy. Fans can also join the War - The Band Fan Group on Facebook to swap stories and memories. For more on their music and history, check out their official site at war.com or dive into fan discussions on platforms like Reddit’s funk community. The Zoo Crew and Zoo Freaks know War’s groove keeps the party going, so crank up The Cisco Kid and ride that funky beat!