In 1969, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) introduced themselves to the world with a daring choice: a cover of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ 1958 soul classic “I Put a Spell on You” as the opening track of their debut album.
The song opened with eerie sounds created from toys like a jack-in-the-box and humming tops, giving way to John Fogerty’s gritty, soulful vocals and powerful guitar riffs.
This distinct sound, driven by Fogerty’s commanding lead guitar and the steady rhythm section of Stu Cook (bass) and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford (drums), became known as CCR’s swamp rock style.
Over a remarkable three-year period (1969-71), CCR released five Top 10 albums, yet none reached #1, a curious anomaly for a band so successful.
This success stemmed from a crucial role reversal between the Fogerty brothers: Tom, initially the lead guitarist, was relegated to rhythm guitar, while John took over lead vocals and became the dominant force in CCR.
His authoritative control, though, strained relationships within the band. Tensions peaked in 1972 when Tom Fogerty quit, marking the beginning of the band’s breakup.
John Fogerty continued to dominate after the split, briefly rebranding as the Blue Ridge Rangers before embarking on a solo career, which saw huge success, including his 1985 hit “Centerfield.”
Meanwhile, Cook and Clifford formed Creedence Clearwater Revisited in 1995, essentially a tribute band. Despite their success, CCR’s legacy was overshadowed by John’s singular vision, which led to both their triumphs and their undoing.
Fogerty’s eulogy at Tom’s funeral in 1990 reflected the bittersweet truth: “We didn’t necessarily grow up.”
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