Creedence Clearwater Revival is one of the most remarkable American bands, without which it is impossible to imagine the development of modern popular music.
Her contributions are recognized by music experts and beloved by fans of all ages. Not being exquisite virtuosos, the guys created brilliant works with special energy, drive and melody.
The theme of the fate of ordinary people from the American South ran like a red thread through their work. In the lyrics, the group repeatedly touched on social and political issues. The music, along with the beautiful singing of John Fogerty, truly fascinated the listeners and turned on at the same time.
For 5 years of existence, the group managed to release 7 studio albums. In total, over 120 million copies have been sold. To this day, the band's records have sold an average of two million copies each year.
In 1993, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Glorious Beginning of Credence Clearwater Revival
Back in the late 1950s, three school friends from El Cerrito (a suburb of San Francisco) - John Fogerty, Doug Clifford and Stu Cook created the Blue Velvets group. The guys modestly earned extra money by performing at local fairs, parties and at recording studios as accompanists.
Tom Fogerty, John's older brother, was touring bars at the same time with The Playboys and later with the Spider Webb and the Insects ensemble. Sometimes he helped at the concerts of The Blue Velvets. Tom joined his younger brother's band.
The quartet became known as Tommy Fogerty and The Blue Velvets. After signing with Fantasy Records, they were called The Golliwogs (after the hero of children's literature).
In The Golliwogs, John was the soloist on the guitar and performed the main vocals, Tom served as the rhythm guitarist. Stu Cook switched from piano to bass and Doug Clifford was on drums. Even Fogerty Jr. began to write songs, which soon filled up almost the entire repertoire of the ensemble.
Unfortunately (maybe fortunately), none of the singles of the young band have found success ...
Creative Break Creedence Clearwater Revival
In 1966, John Fogerty and Doug Clifford went to serve in the army, and for half a year the group did not perform without them.
When the group reunited, businessman Saul Zanz, who bought Fantasy, decided to take over.
First, the quartet changed its name. Many options were considered until a multi-story word structure was invented from Creedence (on behalf of Tom Fogerty's girlfriend) and Clearwater, as well as Revival.
A 7-year contract was signed with Fantasy. It would seem that it was standard for those times. But it turned out to be onerous for musicians regarding finances. In addition, with the help of legal tricks, the group could be manipulated and fired for minor reasons.
First, the guys thundered with the single Suzie Q (1957 song by Dale Hawkins), and later released their debut album. The work was presented in 1968 and immediately gained popularity on many American radio stations that played many numbers from the record, especially I Put A Spell On You and Susie Q.
To consolidate their success, the group went on a US tour and received laudatory reviews from the music press.
Album Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bayou Country
Not wanting to rest on their laurels, the band began to prepare the recording of the second album.
The band spent the summer and fall of 1968 in rehearsals, constantly reinforcing studio training exercises with concert practice on stage. The songs were written and produced by the irrepressible John Fogerty. And he did it great.
The Bayou Country record hit record stores in early 1969. The sound, as before, was dominated by a combination of blues-rock, rockabilly and rhythm and blues.
The two main tracks were Born On The Bayou and Proud Mary. The latter, as a single, took the 2nd position in the chart in America. Critics and the public accepted the work enthusiastically.
The success of the second disc predetermined the further fate of the group. She was snapped up by concert promoters and participated in major festivals. The band was invited to Woodstock as headliners for the event.
But due to the fact that the Grateful Dead delayed their performance until midnight, the lot fell out for the group to perform at night, when most of the audience was already asleep ... Dividends, unlike many other festival participants, Creedence Clearwater Revival from these "three days of peace and music" did not receive.
Green River
Fame changed the lifestyle of the guys a little: they continued to live modestly in El Cerrito, valued family relationships. They also painstakingly worked in the studio, converted from the premises of an industrial enterprise.
In the spring of 1969, the band began work on their third Green River album. It cost the ensemble $2 and took less than a week to complete. However, the speed of creation did not affect the quality of the musical product.
The lyrics were dominated by a mood of regret for the lost carefree childhood and the antics of youth. John Fogerty later admitted that Green River remains his favorite album from the band's repertoire.
The next record was composed by the fictional band Willy & the Poor Boys.
The project was based on several blues standards and songs on hot political topics - about the army, about the Vietnam War, about US domestic politics, about the fate of a generation. The work received 5 stars from the Rolling Stone reviewer and gold status, and the team received the title of "Best American Band of the Year".
In the late 1960s, the Creedence Clearwater Revival could rival The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin.
The fifth album, Cosmo's Factory (named after the Berkeley studio), was hastily prepared, but came out amazing, perhaps the best of his career.
It became the most commercially successful. It was released in the middle of 1970 with a circulation of three million. Over time, he became four times "platinum".
Critics noted the enriched sound palette on the disc, interesting arrangements with the introduction of keyboards, slide guitar, saxophone.
Success accompanied the group on both sides of the ocean. The public especially loved such things as: Travelin' Band and Lookin' Out My Back Door. In 2003, the album was included in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.
"Real Rock" Pendulum and Mardi Gras
When Creedence Clearwater Revival was talked about as a pop band, John Fogerty decided to prepare a rock album. For the first time, the guys worked longer than usual - a month instead of half.
Almost all the songs were carefully worked out, so the work of Pendulum turned out to be almost perfect, instrumentally diverse.
The number of pre-orders for the album exceeded 1 million. The disc went platinum even before the official release.
There were disagreements in the group. In early 1971, Tom Fogerty left. The group recorded the last record Mardi Gras as a trio. Critics called her "the worst in the repertoire of famous groups." In October 1972, the ensemble broke up. In October 1972, the ensemble broke up.
