If get this right, there will be many cover versions by future bands. I shall try and link live versions if they exist from the tellybox or a film, the sound quality may not be the best, but there is nothing like watching a real talent live.
So, in a sort of chronological order, my thirty third legends are: Creedence Clearwater Revival
The featured track is there only No 1 single, I would have thought they would have had a lot more, but no. A very distinctive sounding band with the guitars and of course the wonderful John Fogerty on lead vocals. The featured song is an all-time favourite of mine, along with “Have you ever seen the rain”
Creedence Clearwater Revival, also referred to as Creedence and CCR, was an American rock band formed in El Cerrito, California. The band initially consisted of lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter John Fogerty; his brother, rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty; bassist Stu Cook; and drummer Doug Clifford. These members had played together since 1959, first as the Blue Velvets and later as the Golliwogs, before settling on the Creedence Clearwater Revival name in 1967.
CCR’s musical style encompassed roots rock, swamp rock, blues rock, Southern rock, country rock, and blue-eyed soul. Belying their origins in the East Bay subregion of the San Francisco Bay Area, the band often played in a Southern rock style, with lyrics about bayous, catfish, the Mississippi River and other elements of Southern United States iconography. The band’s songs rarely dealt with romantic love, concentrating instead on political and socially conscious lyrics about topics such as the Vietnam War.[9] The band performed at the 1969 Woodstock festival in Upstate New York, and was the first major act signed to appear there. CCR disbanded acrimoniously in late 1972 after four years of chart-topping success. Tom Fogerty had officially left the previous year, and John was at odds with the remaining members over matters of business and artistic control, all of which resulted in subsequent lawsuits among the former bandmates. Fogerty’s ongoing disagreements with Fantasy Records owner Saul Zaentz created further protracted court battles, and John Fogerty refused to perform with the two other surviving members at Creedence’s 1993 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Though the band has never officially reunited, John Fogerty continues to perform CCR songs as part of his solo act, while Cook and Clifford have performed as Creedence Clearwater Revisited since the 1990s.
CCR’s music is still a staple of U.S. classic rock radio airplay;[13] 28 million CCR records have been sold in the U.S. alone.[14] The compilation album Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits, originally released in 1976, is still on the Billboard 200 album chart and reached the 500-weeks mark in December 2020. It has been awarded 10x platinum.
- Doug Clifford– drums, percussion, backing and occasional lead vocals (1959–1972)
- Stu Cook– bass guitar, backing and occasional lead vocals, keyboards (1959–1972)
- John Fogerty– lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards, harmonica, saxophone (1959–1972)
- Tom Fogerty– rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals (1960–1971; died 1990)
A full discography is here: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival — Suzie Q [[ Official Live Video ]] HD – Their first hit in the USA in 1968.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – I Put A Spell On You – From Woodstock in 1969. In my view the best ever cover of this song.
Creedence Clearwater Revival “Proud Mary” on The Ed Sullivan Show. Written by John Fogerty as well.
Creedence Clearwater Revival “Green River” in Andy Williams Show (1969)
Creedence Clearwater Revival “Down On The Corner” on The Ed Sullivan Show 1969, what an absolute classic this is
Bruce Springsteen w. John Fogerty – Fortunate Son – Madison Square Garden, NYC – 2009 – I really like this version.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Travelin band – Good old rock ‘n’ Roll
Creedence Clearwater Revival (live) – Who´ll stop the rain – Good old Blues.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Up Around The Bend (live 1985) – Opening guitar lick must be in the mix as being most memorable.
Creedence Clearwater Revisited – Run Through The Jungle – This is from 1998 – I do like this version, even if not John on leads.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Lookin’ Out My Back Door (Official Video) Rock ‘n’ Roll and Bluegrss, love it.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Sweet Hitch-Hiker – Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll
Another firm favourite of mine is “Have you ever seen the rain”. Superb song.
Singalong, enjoy and be happy!
Links to previous Legend articles:
Featured image: “Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) – Cosmo’s Factory” by Piano Piano! is marked with CC BY 2.0.
© Phil the ex test manager 2022
