Photo of John Fogerty via his Facebook page
Named in full John Cameron Fogerty, the singer, songwriter and guitarist was born May 28, 1945, in Berkeley, CA. He went on to create some of the best-loved and most seminal roots rock songs with Creedence Clearwater Revival between 1968 and ’72, including “Proud Mary,” “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Lodi,” “Born on the Bayou,” “Green River,” “Fortunate Son” and others that were popular on AM Top 40 and FM album radio.
Few recording acts have achieved the kind of artistic success in a single, pivotal year like Creedence Clearwater Revival did in 1969, when they released the albums Bayou Country, Green River and Willy and the Poor Boys.
Two more arrived one year later, Cosmo’s Factory and Pendulum.
After going solo, he first released an album of classic country music covers as the Blue Ridge Rangers in 1973, playing all the instruments himself. His next release in 1975, simply titled John Fogerty, contained a minor Top 40 hit “Rockin’ All Over the World” that over time has become recognized as one of his classic songs.
Related: The LP is on our list of 10 great one-man-band albums
Fogerty reached the Top 10 again in 1985 with “The Old Man Down the Road” from his well-received album, Centerfield.
Creedence Clearwater Revival were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Due to his longtime legal disputes with CCR’s label Fantasy Records, Fogerty initially refused to perform the songs he wrote for the band when he returned to touring in the mid 1980s. It took decades but he was finally able to reacquire them. His Creedence recordings are available here. His vast solo catalog is here.
Don’t miss him when he’s on the road this summer. Tickets are available here and here.
Fogerty published his autobiography, Fortunate Son: My Life, My Music, in 2015.
Related: Our 2018 review of Fogerty and all those hits
In 2020, while self-quarantining together the Fogerty Family, featuring John with his sons Shane, Tyler, and daughter Kelsy, gathered in their home studio to play some music together. An idea was spawned; why not film these session’s and release them as videos? It was a total family affair with Julie Fogerty producing the videos, using very little pro equipment to film, while the family played. A new video was released each week and the songs were eventually released as a complete album.
The performances include “Bad Moon Rising,” “Proud Mary” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.”
Fans loved it, eagerly waiting each week to hear John’s songs, bringing back good memories during these unusual times.
“Our family got together and decided we would spread some joy with music in these trying times,” he explains.
It took 75 years & it’s a little different than I envisioned. On my birthday I get to fulfill my dream playin’ “Centerfield” in centerfield with my kids on the team. Hopefully it won’t be long until we are able to have baseball back. “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play!” ⚾️🏟 pic.twitter.com/3aCc6xtma3
— John Fogerty (@John_Fogerty) May 29, 2020
And another tweet in 2024…
Happy Birthday to the legendary John Fogerty! Your music has been the soundtrack of countless memories and continues to inspire us all.
We will be celebrating all summer long on the Celebration Tour with George Thorogood and @heartyhar! pic.twitter.com/MZdODTGU49
— John Fogerty (@John_Fogerty) May 28, 2024
4 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationCCR…I was Dancing @ 20 Yrs of Age on Main Floor @ Oakland Coliseum CONCERT in 1970..
Creedence Clearwater Revival was the Happening Band at the Top of the Charts in the Late ’60s and still have the Great Sound Today..
**HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN**
Happy Birthday John!!
Many, many more of them!
Happy Birthday, John to you & the family, too!
This is from Finland, Lappland, city of Rovaniemi!
Hey John, saw your show at the Hollywood Bowl not long ago. Great show. And with your Sons. I grew up listening to Susie Q. Will always be a loyal fan of yours. Can’t wait till your next show her in LA. Joan