John Fogerty: "I always used to say that I wanted to make
records that they would still play on the radio ten years..."
Creedence Clearwater Revival:
It Came Out of the Sky - 1969
records that they would still play on the radio ten years..."
In a similar way to LA blues-rock legends Canned Heat, Creedence Clearwater Revival featured a down-on-the-bayou southern theme (more of a swamp-rock in CCR's case) that bravely diverged from the California fashion of the day. But they managed to break loose from the Bay Area's dominant Haight-Ashbury psychedelic scene to create a band loyal to American rock n roll's roots. Also like Topanga Canyon based Canned Heat, they came across as quite authentic in the southern-style... and were real, real good.
The band's origins go back as far as 1959 as "The Blue Velvets", and by 1964 they recorded (unsuccessfully) as "The Golliwogs". But after a much-needed name change, CCR was was touring and rehearsing full-time upon two members' completion of military service in 1968.
Based around the Fogerty brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival was known for both covers and originals in their distinct rough-around-the-edges working class style, and featuring the gripping, powerful vocals of John Fogerty, who also did most of the group's writing. They drew inspiration from 1950s rock n roll (and country) legends like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Hank Williams, and CCR's popularity grew through the 1972 breakup. Highly influential and considered by most to be one of the all time great American rock bands, they were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
FM radio staples then and today include "I Put a Spell on You", "Born on the Bayou", "Good Golly, Miss Molly", "Green River", "Bad Moon Rising", "Down on the Corner", "It Came Out of the Sky", "Cotton Fields", "Lodi", "The Night Time is the Right Time", "Midnight Special", "Fortunate Son", "Travelin' Band", "Looking Out My Back Door", "I Heard it Through the Grapevine", "Long as I Can See the Light", "Who'll Stop the Rain", "Pagan Baby", "Have You Ever Seen the Rain", "Someday Never Comes", and "Sweet Hitch-hiker".
The band's origins go back as far as 1959 as "The Blue Velvets", and by 1964 they recorded (unsuccessfully) as "The Golliwogs". But after a much-needed name change, CCR was was touring and rehearsing full-time upon two members' completion of military service in 1968.
Based around the Fogerty brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival was known for both covers and originals in their distinct rough-around-the-edges working class style, and featuring the gripping, powerful vocals of John Fogerty, who also did most of the group's writing. They drew inspiration from 1950s rock n roll (and country) legends like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Hank Williams, and CCR's popularity grew through the 1972 breakup. Highly influential and considered by most to be one of the all time great American rock bands, they were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
FM radio staples then and today include "I Put a Spell on You", "Born on the Bayou", "Good Golly, Miss Molly", "Green River", "Bad Moon Rising", "Down on the Corner", "It Came Out of the Sky", "Cotton Fields", "Lodi", "The Night Time is the Right Time", "Midnight Special", "Fortunate Son", "Travelin' Band", "Looking Out My Back Door", "I Heard it Through the Grapevine", "Long as I Can See the Light", "Who'll Stop the Rain", "Pagan Baby", "Have You Ever Seen the Rain", "Someday Never Comes", and "Sweet Hitch-hiker".
Small wonder then that CCR has sold
26M records in the United States alone...
It Came Out of the Sky - 1969
Previous RR Rock n Roll Oldies features -here-