The history of the iconic rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) spans from their humble beginnings to their rise to fame and eventual breakup. Best known for a string of top chart hits, CCR has left a lasting impact on the music scene, inspiring fans and musicians alike. Throughout their journey, the band faced numerous challenges and internal conflicts, contributing to the bittersweet nature of their legacy. Even so, the band's music, characterised by its blend of southern rock and roll influences, remains cherished and celebrated today, demonstrating their enduring influence in the music world.
During my interview with Doug 'Cosmo' Clifford, one of CCR's founders and sole drummer, I delve into the band's background, and learn that the band originally formed in 1958 and achieved success only after a decade of playing together. Comprised of John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty, Stu Cook, and Doug Clifford, CCR weathered several name changes before experiencing their meteoric rise in popularity. Doug and I discuss the various turning points, triumphs, and challenges the band faced during their time together, painting a vivid picture of CCR's incredible journey.

As the 60s crashed into the 70s, few American bands could match the fevered output, unified vision, and consistent hit-making ability of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Despite hailing from California, bandleader John Fogerty rooted his imagination in the Deep South, fusing vivid Southern imagery with a distinctive brand of rock & roll that combined swamp pop, blues, R&B, and country. Viewed as outliers in the Bay Area's overwhelmingly psychedelic music scene, CCR's punchy roots rock delivery, blue-collar work ethic, and comparative sobriety helped them quickly surpass their peers and become one of the most prolific and popular bands in the country. In 1969 alone they produced three major albums, headlined the Woodstock Festival, and introduced iconic songs like "Proud Mary" and "Fortunate Son" into the cultural lexicon. The latter of the two went on to become one of the defining protest songs of the Vietnam War, followed closely by "Run Through the Jungle" and "Bad Moon Rising."
Their creative and commercial success peaked with 1970's Cosmo's Factory, a solid chart-topper. Like many great bands, CCR's star burned brightly for a relatively short period before in-fighting and contention led to their breakup in 1972.

The band's members had been friends at school and began playing together as the Blue Velvets. They later became a quartet with the addition of John's older brother, Tom Fogerty. They then went through a name change calling themselves the Golliwogs but it didn't last long. The name Creedence Clearwater Revival stuck.

The group released their eponymous debut album in 1968. It gave them their first hit in "Suzie Q," and a few months later they released Bayou Country, their breakout second album. In 1969 they added two more Top Five singles to their growing clutch of hits. They also toured relentlessly and were one of the headlining acts at the Woodstock Festival. Same year they released their fourth album, Willy and the Poor Boys. "Fortunate Son" became one of the defining anthems of the anti-war movement.

They kicked off 1970 with the double A-side of "Travelin' Band" and "Who'll Stop the Rain,". "Up Around the Bend" and "Run Through the Jungle," appeared a few months later as the group headed to Europe for their first international tour. With four more hit songs already on the charts, "Lookin' Out My Back Door" and "Long as I Can See the Light" helped turn the band's fifth album, Cosmo's Factory, into a massive success, sitting at number one for a nine-week stint in late 1970.

A very disgruntled Tom Fogerty left the band in 1971 because John was being totally controlling. After he left, John reluctantly agreeing to cede some creative control to his remaining bandmates. However, even this attempt at democracy was somewhat heavy-handed; rather than simply allowing Cook and Clifford a little more artistic input, he insisted that each member now write and sing his own material to be split evenly on future albums. The growing frustration over the band's direction continued to mount and finally CCR called it quits. For an impressive five-year period, they had performed at the top of their game, leaving behind a deep catalogue of studio albums and hit songs, all of which fell under the ownership of Fantasy Records.

Tom Fogerty died in 1990. Cook and Clifford launched the Fogerty-less Creedence Clearwater Revisited with various guest singers in order to take the old catalogue on the road. A proper reunion never materialised.

To learn more about CCR check out my interview with Doug Cosmo Clifford. You'll find it through the website www.abreathoffreshair.com.au or on all major podcast platforms.