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Creedence Clearwater Revival

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Band Timeline

1959

Formation of the Original Band as The Blue Velvets

Creedence Clearwater Revival began in 1959 in El Cerrito, California, originally named The Blue Velvets. The band consisted of John Fogerty, his brother Tom Fogerty, bassist Stu Cook, and drummer Doug Clifford. Initially, the group played instrumentals and backing performances under this original name. They started to develop their musical chemistry and style during these formative years, laying the foundation for their future success.
1964

Signing with Fantasy Records and Transformation into The Golliwogs

In 1964, the band signed with Fantasy Records, a jazz-focused independent label based in San Francisco. Under the guidance of Fantasy co-owner Max Weiss, the group was renamed The Golliwogs. This period was a significant transition as John Fogerty emerged as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter, reshaping the band's musical identity. The band's sound began to evolve from the early instrumental style toward a more distinctive rock style, setting the stage for their commercial breakthrough.
1967

Rebranding as Creedence Clearwater Revival and Rising to Prominence

The band changed their name to Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1967, influenced by a desire for a new image and sound. With John Fogerty firmly established as leader, the band fused swamp rock, blues, and country influences, pioneering a style that resonated widely. 1967 marked the start of their breakout period, featuring early recording successes and growing popularity that quickly captured the attention of the rock music scene.
1969

Breakthrough Success with 'Green River' and Woodstock Performance

'Green River', released in 1969, was one of Creedence Clearwater Revival's most commercially successful albums, topping the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured iconic singles such as "Green River" and "Bad Moon Rising" that became staples of rock music. That same year, the band performed at the historic Woodstock Festival, one of the most iconic music events, solidifying their reputation as a major rock act and capturing a broad cultural moment.
1970

Continued Success with 'Cosmo's Factory' and Further Chart Domination

In 1970, CCR released 'Cosmo's Factory', which topped the Billboard 200 album chart and featured multiple hit singles like "Travelin' Band" and "Who'll Stop the Rain." This album reinforced the band's position as a dominant force in rock music. The prolific output and commercial success during this time led to a string of fourteen consecutive top-10 singles and five consecutive top-10 albums in the United States, showcasing their wide appeal and musical consistency.
1971

Peak Chart Success and Internal Strains

By 1971, Creedence Clearwater Revival had established a remarkable run of chart-topping albums and singles, becoming one of the most successful bands of the era. However, internal tensions began to mount, particularly between John Fogerty and his brother Tom, as well as the other band members. Disagreements over artistic vision and business matters foreshadowed upcoming conflicts that would impact the band's future.
1972

Tom Fogerty's Departure and Band Disbandment

In 1971, Tom Fogerty left the band citing personal and creative differences. Without Tom, the band continued briefly but internal conflicts, especially John Fogerty’s disputes with other band members and Fantasy Records over creative control and royalties, intensified. These disputes, coupled with the escalating lawsuits, ultimately led to Creedence Clearwater Revival disbanding acrimoniously in late 1972, ending a short but extraordinarily impactful career.
1990

Death of Tom Fogerty

Tom Fogerty, the rhythm guitarist and brother of John Fogerty, passed away in 1990. His death marked a somber moment in the band's history and was a significant loss for the surviving original members. Tom's contributions helped shape CCR’s early sound and success, and his passing underscored the complexities of the band's legacy and relationships post-breakup.
1993

CCR's Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Creedence Clearwater Revival was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. However, John Fogerty did not participate in the reunion or induction ceremony, due to long-standing personal and legal disputes with former band members. Despite the absence of a full reunion, the induction recognized CCR's critical and commercial influence on rock music, their enduring legacy, and their significant contribution to American music culture.
1995

Formation of Creedence Clearwater Revisited by Stu Cook and Doug Clifford

In 1995, Stu Cook and Doug Clifford, the bassist and drummer from CCR, formed Creedence Clearwater Revisited. This new band was established to perform live versions of CCR's classic hits. Notably, John Fogerty did not participate in this project and was opposed to its use of the Creedence name. Nonetheless, Revisited toured extensively, bringing the band's music to live audiences and sustaining the CCR legacy through performances of their classic catalog.
1997

Legal Disputes over Creedence Clearwater Revisited's Name

John Fogerty sued Creedence Clearwater Revisited in 1997, claiming that the band's name caused public confusion and implied his involvement. Initially, a court ruling prohibited the Revisited band from using the name, but this decision was overturned by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, allowing them to continue. This legal battle highlighted the ongoing complexities surrounding the band's name and legacy, reflecting the strained relationships between John Fogerty and former bandmates.
2019

Retirement Announcement and the End of Creedence Clearwater Revisited Touring

In 2019, Doug Clifford and Stu Cook announced plans to disband Creedence Clearwater Revisited and retire from touring following a farewell tour. This announcement marked the winding down of the band's active presence, which had brought CCR's music to audiences for over two decades post-original breakup. However, despite this announcement, the band continued to perform into 2020 before suspending activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the conclusion of this era of Creedence's legacy.

Albums

creedence-clearwater-revival_1st_album
Creedence Clearwater Revival
8 tracks
1968
creedence-clearwater-revival_2nd_album
Bayou Country
7 tracks
1969
creedence-clearwater-revival_3rd_album
Green River
9 tracks
1969
creedence-clearwater-revival_4th_album
Willy and the Poor Boys
10 tracks
1969
creedence-clearwater-revival_5th_album
Cosmo’s Factory
11 tracks
1970
creedence-clearwater-revival_6th_album
Pendulum
10 tracks
1970
creedence-clearwater-revival_7th_album
Mardi Gras
10 tracks
1972
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Doug Clifford

N/A

John Fogerty

N/A

Stu Cook

N/A

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Tom Fogerty

N/A
1971

Story of Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival: The Bay Area's Legendary Rock Outfit

Creedence Clearwater Revival, or CCR as they're affectionately known, emerged from the fertile musical ground of El Cerrito, California. The band, a tight-knit unit forged from years of jamming together, was anchored by the dynamic duo of John Fogerty, lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and prolific songwriter, and his brother, Tom Fogerty, on rhythm guitar. Rounding out the lineup were the steady rhythm section of bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford.

This quartet, who had previously cut their teeth in the early '60s as the Blue Velvets and then the Golliwogs, found their groove as CCR in 1967. The '69-'71 period was their golden age, witnessing an astonishing run of fourteen consecutive Top 10 singles (many of them double A-sides), and five consecutive Top 10 albums in the U.S. Their groundbreaking albums, Green River (1969) and Cosmo's Factory (1970), even topped the Billboard 200 charts, solidifying their status as a dominant force in rock music. This meteoric rise was punctuated by their appearance at the iconic Woodstock festival in 1969, where they were the first major act to be signed on.

Tragically, the band's meteoric success came crashing down in 1972. The band dissolved amidst internal conflicts, fueled by artistic and business disagreements, culminating in lawsuits between the former bandmates. Tom Fogerty had left the group the previous year, and John's struggles with Fantasy Records owner Saul Zaentz only added fuel to the fire. This acrimony reached its peak when John refused to reunite with Cook and Clifford for their 1993 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as Tom had passed away in 1990.

Despite never officially reuniting, CCR's legacy continues to resonate. John Fogerty continues to perform their classic songs in his solo career, while Cook and Clifford joined forces as Creedence Clearwater Revisited from 1995 to 2020. Their music remains a cornerstone of classic rock radio, with 45 million CCR records sold in the U.S. alone, proving their enduring impact on generations of music lovers.

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