John Fogerty

 

Rollin’ and Rockin’ on the River
Shelli Carlisle

 
Born: John Cameron Fogerty
May 28, 1945
Birthplace: Berkeley, California

The Mojave Desert is spectacular with its red and brown clay and wild flowers, often filling the evening air with their perfume. Thus, creating a perfect ambiance for outdoor concerts.

And, there’s no better venue than Laughlin, Nev., which sits beside the Colorado River. A vacant lot located behind the strip in Laughlin is transformed into a large arena for bull riding and concerts. On one particular twilight drenched evening, people quickly filled these very stands, anxious for the arrival of a rock and roll legend.

Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer, singer, songwriter, guitar playing, musician John Fogerty was the inspiration for a sold-out event.

The Concert

The crowd went nuts when the engaging, foot-tapping, body-moving, first chords of Fogerty’s guitar delivered Suzie Q. From there he kept the crowd on their toes as he played such hits as Born on the Bayou, Fortunate Son, Who’ll Stop the Rain, Centerfield, and all the rest of the songs Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival brought to acclaim.

Fogerty’s voice is as edgy now as it was back in the day and his performance is filled with high energy. The music reflects the best of good times and also the discontent of the not so good times.

The concert is two hours, with Fogerty ripping one song off the guitar after another. Just when you think you’ve heard them all, he does yet, another one. The crowd was on their feet cheering after each song. Many in the crowd, including me, never sat down at all during the event. Everyone danced and sang, let go of the “what if somebody sees me,” and immersed themselves in the incredible music.

During his performance, Fogerty changed guitars several times. Upon doing so, he shared a memory of the different times he used the guitar, or the song he recorded while playing that particular guitar. He even played on a guitar that looked like a baseball bat while he cranked out Centerfield on it.

In a nutshell, Fogerty still has what it takes to rock a crowd. His concert makes for a very fun and memorable evening.

Roots

Fogerty grew up in Berkley, Calif., which is a melting pot for different genres of music. Blues, rock, and country blended together are the backbone of Fogerty’s unique style.

In the late 1950s Fogerty and his brother Tom Fogerty, along with Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook formed the band, Tommy Fogerty and the Blue Velvets. Their specialty was rock and roll with an edge.

In the early 1960s the band signed on to a jazz label and became the Golliwogs. They released a few forgettable singles.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

By 1968 the band changed its name to Creedence Clearwater Revival and released its first album titled Credence Clearwater Revival, which was a huge success. Their first hit, Proud Mary, was followed by Stuck in Lodi, Born on the Bayou and Fortunate Son. In 1969 CCR sold more records than the Beatles.

As Fogerty continued to write the music, sing lead, and play lead guitar, resentment and ill will began to stir among the other band members, including his brother, Tom, who left the group in 1971. The band dissolved about a year later.

On His Own

Fogerty then struck out on his own and released his debut album The Blue Rangers. He only wrote two of the songs on the album, which had dismal sales. Subsequently, Fogerty quit writing new songs. Bitterness over royalties and not having control of his own songs caused Fogerty to drop out and quit performing. It wasn’t until 1985 that Forgety was at the top of the charts once again with his new single Centerfield.

July 4, 1987 was a turning point for Fogerty. He performed at a concert in Washington D.C. for Vietnam Veterans and for the first time, included the songs which brought him to the spotlight back in the 1960s with CCR.

Fast forward to 2010, the concert-going fans embraced Fogerty, welcoming him back to the stage, and celebrated his return. Fogerty is as popular today as ever, his concerts around the country sell-out.

What Else is New

Fogerty is still writing, arranging and producing music. 2005 saw the release of The Long Road Home, and was the first CD to feature CCR hits alongside his solo material, including the 1985 hit, Centerfield.

Recently, Fogerty got together with top musicians, Buddy Miller, Greg Leisz, Jason Mowery, and Kenny Aronoff to record The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again. It was released Aug., 2009 and features classic songs, such as When Will I be Loved (a duet with Bruce Springsteen), Garden Party with Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit, and John Denver’s Back Home Again.

John Fogerty, the night before he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame said, “In 1968, I always used to say that I wanted to make records they would still play on the radio in ten years.”

Fogerty has done exactly that and this concert reviewer, for one, is very glad Fogerty is Back Home Again on-stage.

Tagged Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty, Laughlin Nevada, music