Proud father John Fogerty with sons Shane and Tyler and daughter Kelsy, Beacon Theatre, May 28, 2025. (Photo: Mike Melon/Ripe Melon Photography)
John Fogerty is one happy fella. And understandably so. In 2023, his wife and manager, Julie, surprised her husband by reuniting him with his great song catalog from his years with Creedence Clearwater Revival. For years, it was one of the great travesties of songwriting ownership. “This is something I thought would never be a possibility,” he said at the time. “After 50 years, I am finally reunited with my songs.”
His top-notch touring band features his sons, Shane and Tyler. On May 28, 2025, an absolutely pouring night in Manhattan, the writer of “Who’ll Stop the Rain?” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” celebrated his 80th birthday doing what he loves, performing the first of two career-spanning shows at the Beacon Theatre. The family affair even included an appearance by daughter, Kelsy, who shyly performed with her father and older brothers on family videos filmed during the pandemic. And the proud husband referenced his wife numerous times, and even cajoled her to join him on stage at one point to help him celebrate.
How many ’60s recording stars are still out there performing at such a high level? Fogerty‘s voice, guitar playing and stage presence are all still first-rate. And his repertoire is so rich, filled with such classic rock CCR favorites as “Proud Mary,” “Up Around the Bend,” “Down on the Corner” and “Fortunate Son,” as well as his solo cuts like “Centerfield” and “Rock and Roll Girls,” that his setlist programs like a deluxe greatest hits package.
The evening included an extended filmed tribute with Fogerty talking about his evolution as a songwriter and the genesis of many of his classic tunes, notably “Proud Mary” and “Green River.”
Related: Admit it, you don’t know the lyrics to “Green River”
Midway through the show, the Beacon crowd serenaded Fogerty by singing “Happy Birthday,” much to his delight.
John Fogerty acknowledging the Beacon Theatre crowd, May 28, 2025. (Photo: Mike Melon Ripe Melon Photography)
Fogerty is also joined by members of his sons’ band, Hearty Har, including powerhouse drummer Richard Millsap, bass guitarist Jesse Wilson, and keyboardist Doug Lamothe, along with sax player Rob Stone.
Shane Fogerty and John Fogerty, Beacon Theatre, May 28, 2025. (Photo: Mike Melon /Ripe Melon Photography)
Shane Fogerty was an absolute wonder on “The Old Man Down the Road” as his proud father beamed.
Thanks to Pam Kaskel for the clips.
The Beacon shows were two of several high-profile appearances, performances and honors for Fogerty in 2025. Fogerty kicked off the year in January with a performances at the Fire Aid benefit concert in Los Angeles. In March, he appeared at SXSW for a show followed by a keynote conversation with fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tom Morello.
In April, Fogerty gave a headlining performance at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, and just days later was honored at the 2025 American Music Honors, hosted by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University in New Jersey. Tickets for his 2025 shows are available here and here.
On his 80th birthday, Fogerty announced the release of a new album, Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival years, arriving August 22, 2025, via Concord. The 20-track collection features newly recorded versions of his most beloved songs—from “Proud Mary” and “Bad Moon Rising” to “Fortunate Son” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”—marking both a celebration of an iconic catalog and a personal reclamation of artistic ownership. The CD and 2-LP set are available for pre-order in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.
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