Career Hey Day

(1968-1972)
The late 60's and early 70's saw the rise of progressive rock, heavy metal and pop.  Creedence Clearwater Revival was out of the mainstream of this type of music.  They cut a series of songs featuring singer-songwriter John Fogerty's growling voice.  The music was straightforward rock and roll.  They were the most successful and exhilarating band in the United States during that era.

With the new name, the Fogerty Brothers, Cook and Clifford spent weeks rehearsing their new sound.  In June, 1968 they launched their first album "Creedence Clearwater Revival" and a single "Susie Q (Parts 1 & 2).  The album earned gold record status by the end of the year, despite criticism from Rolling Stone magazine.  The single peaked in the 11th position in the U.S.

Creedence's second single, "I Put A Spell On You" made the charts briefly and disappeared.  In 1969 came their second album "Bayou Country" with single "Proud Mary"/"Born On The Bayou" with a mixture of Southern creole styles, rhythm & blues, and rockabilly.  "Proud Mary" made an international breakthrough, becoming #2 in the U.S. and #8 in the U.K.  With his writing of "Proud Mary" John Fogerty became one of rock's foremost composers and lyricists.  The achievement of "Proud Mary" was followed by three gold record hits:  "Bad Moon Rising"/"Lodi", "Green River"/"Commotion", and "Down On The Corner"/ "Fortunate Son".

Their third album, "Green River" was followed by their fourth album, "Willy And The Poor Boys", which included such topics as nuclear holocaust and political and military pressures.

In 1969 Rolling Stone magazine names Creedence Clearwater Revival "The Best American Band".  Billboard named them "Top Singles Artists of 1969".  The band could fill the largest auditoriums concert after concert.  In August they performed as 2nd billing at the Woodstock Rock Festival.

CCR started 1970 with another gold single "Traveling Band"/"Who'll Stop The Rain" followed by "Up Around The Bend".  The spring saw their first European Tour.  After returning home, their fifth album, "Cosmos Factory" came out in stores.  It was an immediate success moving into #l position in several countries.  CCR closed out 1970 with another best-selling album "Pendulum".

At the beginning of 1971 CCR was beginning to run out of new worlds to conquer and a certain restlessness set in among the band members.  Even as the single "Have You Ever Seen The Rain"/"Hey Tonight" neared gold status, rumors said that changes were impending.  Besides taking over the vocals and lead guitar, John Fogerty began overshadowing the other band members.  Relationships between John and the rest of the band grew increasingly strained.

In February, 1971 Tom Fogerty announced his departure from the band to work as a solo performer.  CCR reorganized as a trio and "Sweet Hitchhiker" came out in July.   Their tour of U.S., Europe, Australia and Japan met with a reasonably good reception.  Their seventh and last album, "Mardi Gras" was a critical and commercial failure.

In October 1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival was officially disbanded.

Proud Mary Right Click for Controls

Return to 1959-1967

After CCR (Solo Careers)

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