One of the seminal and arguably one of the most influential bands of the
"flower power" generation was the swamp-rockabilly sound of Creedence
Clearwater Revival. Formed in 1967 by brothers Tom and John Fogerty in El
Cerrito, California (near San Francisco), the band cut their chops in local
bars; refining and nurturing the sounds that would soon become part of rock and
roll history.
In 1964, the band (under the direction of Tom and with members bassist Stu Cook
and drummer Doug Clifford on the drums) was signed to the San Francisco-based
Fantasy Record Company where they released several singles as a band called the
"Golliwogs." While not very successful, it paved the way for the band's
illustrious and legendary career.
But the group found themselves when John took over the reins, writing and
singing virtually all the bands' material. As Creedence Clearwater Revival
(CCR), the group released their debut, self-titled LP in 1968, and with
disciplined fervor caught America's ears. With cuts like a keen and riveting
cover of the Screamin' Jay Hawkins' hit "I Put A Spell On You" and their first
Billboard Top 40 hit, a remake of the Dale Hawkins 1957 hit entitled "Suzie Q,"
Creedence Clearwater Revival had arrived.
In 1969, the album entitled "Bayou Country" put CCR on the mainstream map with
long swampy-like guitar licks on cuts like "Born On The Bayou," the crisp and
heavy guitar work of "Penthouse Pauper" and the now legendary wedding staple
hit "Proud Mary"(which went to the number two position on the Billboard Top 40
in 1969).
With the music scene dominated by singles, CCR proved to be one of the best in
the late 60's, churning out hit after hit single. The album entitled, "Willy &
the Poor Boys" was released in 1969 and was highlighted by the AM
radio-friendly sounds of the song "Down On The Corner" and the antiwar message
of "Fortunate Son," as well as legendary covers of the popular songs "Cotton
Fields" and "The Midnight Special."
Another singles-oriented album called "Green River," set CCR apart from their
contemporaries, with unmatched swagger and flair, Fogerty and company were a
virtual hit machine. In 1969 they released another top notch effort with the
album called "Green River." The album continued the long line of classic
singles, with hit songs like the mellow cut "Lodi," the title cut, the AM
friendly tune "Bad Moon Rising" as well as the Fogerty-led cuts "Tombstone
Shadow," "Cross-tie Walker" and "Wrote A Song For Everyone."
A 1970's album entitled "Cosmo's Factory" provided more legendary singles such
as "Travelin' Band," "Who'll Stop The Rain"(both number two on the Billboard
Top 40 charts), the cuts "Up Around The Bend" and "Run Through The Jungle"
(number four on the charts) as well as "Lookin' Out My Back Door" and "Long As
I Can See The Light"(number two on the Billboard chart). True to form, the
album included a masterful version of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine,"
complete with Fogerty's incomparable, trademark guitar work.
Yet another release in 1970, the album entitled "Pendulum" found CCR losing
some of its momentum, but nonetheless secured several more AM radio-friendly
singles including "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" and "Hey Tonight." But inner
tensions and John Fogerty's autocratic dominance and song writing eventually
split the band apart, with Tom Fogerty leaving the band in 1971.
The group carried on as a trio and in 1972 they released what would be CCR's
last studio album (with John relenting and allowing Stu Cook and Doug Clifford
equal shares of song writing and vocal duties). With this recipe, CCR was only
able to chart two top 40 songs, the slow-tempo lament of "Sunday Never Comes"
and the hard-rocking "Sweet Hitch-Hiker."
John Fogerty went on to a masterful (albeit sporadic) solo career and Tom's
death in 1990 ended any chance of a CCR reunion. But CCR will be remembered as
one of the quintessential sounds of the late 60's and early 70's; influencing
guitarists and rock and roll for generations to come. The iconic group was
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and
operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com, where you can secure your
copy of his
ebook called "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."
Robert can be contacted at robert@collectingvinylrecords.com.
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