Yahoo LAUNCHCAST Song Of The Day-Creedence Clearwater Revival

Artist:Creedence Clearwater Revival

Song:Green River

Album:Chronicle

At a time in the late 60s when psychedelic and progressive rock was becoming more popular, Creedence Clearwater Revival harkened back to rock's bar band roots. They were a successful singles band and Chronicle is the best place to get all their hits. The group's main singer songwriter was John Fogerty (born May 28, 1945 in Berkeley, CA). His older brother Tom Fogerty (born Nov. 9, 1941 in Berkeley, CA) started The Blue Velvets with John and high school pals bassist Stu Cook (born Apr. 25, 1945 in Oakland, CA) & drummer Doug Clifford (born Apr. 24, 1945 in Palo Alto, CA). Fantasy Records signed the group in 1964 and owner Max Weiss changed their name to The Golliwogs. They released some singles but none were successful. John Fogerty started writing most of the group's songs. In 1965, John Fogerty & Clifford spent three years in the military. Meanwhile, Saul Zaentz bought Fantasy Records and got the band to change its name to Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their 1968 debut got the attention of radio stations across the US and their first hit was a cover of the 1956 Dale Hawkins hit Suzie Q. A cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' I Put A Spell On You also did well. But the 1969 John Fogerty song Proud Mary was their breakthrough and reached #2 on the pop singles chart. Green River was from their third album and also reached #2. CCR continued to be successful but by 1971, Tom Fogerty was starting to resent his brother's control of the group. He left and CCR recorded one last unsuccessful album as a trio. John had allowed Cook & Clifford to contribute songs. It only proved that he was the only one who was good at songwriting. Of course John Fogerty started a new group called The Blue Ridge Rangers and has had tremendous success as a solo artist since 1985. He is a true legend of rock music. Tom Fogerty was unsuccessful as a solo artist. He never reconciled with his brother and died on Sept. 6, 1990 due to AIDS contracted by a blood transfusion. Stu Cook & Doug Clifford joined the Don Harrison Band and formed Creedence Clearwater Revisited in 1995. Both guys have done a lot of sessions. Here's Creedence Clearwater Revival performing Green River in London 1970.