War Band Bassist BB Dickerson dies at 71

BP Dickerson A founding member of the War funk has passed away.

An actor confirmed his move to Billboard, citing a battle with a long-standing illness that was not disclosed. He said that BP – whose real name is Maurice – died peacefully at his home in Long Beach.

Dickerson was one of the OG squad members who helped put War on the map in the late 1960s and 1970s – after the record producer discovered him. Jerry Goldstein He is paired with the lead singer Eric Burdon … who acted as the face of the group after that.

He served as the primary guitarist in War game, and has often contributed to vocals as well – including the lead singer assignments for their 10-minute composition as well as their “Ghetto World” composition – which has been reimagined and covered countless times over the years.

BB was also present for the War’s biggest single to date, “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” In addition to a long series of other well-known tracks, such as “Spill the Wine”, “Gypsy Man”, “Low Rider”, “Me and Baby Brother”, “The Cisco Kid”, “All Day Music” and “Slippin ‘in Dark, “summer” and countless others.

He was also performing with War when they shared the stage with Jimmy Hendrix In London in 1970 – which became his last public performance before his death.

BB toured and performed with War until 1979 – when he left, only the other founding members of the 1990s reunited under a new stage name, The Lowrider Band, as they tried to break out from under Goldstein’s thumb, who had the rights to “war”.

It is said that his mother, uncle and children BB survived. He was 71 years old.