Rise to Success: Career Highlights of John Fogerty

Discover the career path of John Fogerty, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

John Fogerty is an American musician best known as the lead singer, lead guitarist, and principal songwriter for the band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). He formed CCR with Doug Clifford, Stu Cook, and his brother Tom Fogerty. CCR achieved significant success between 1968 and 1972, releasing nine top-10 singles and eight gold albums. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, solidifying Fogerty's impact on rock music.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1959: Formation of The Blue Velvets

In 1959, while in junior high school, John Fogerty formed a cover band called The Blue Velvets with Stu Cook and Doug Clifford.

1964: Signing with Fantasy Records

In 1964, The Blue Velvets signed with Fantasy Records, which changed the band's name to The Golliwogs without their approval. The Golliwogs recorded seven singles that weren't commercially successful.

1968: CCR Success

In 1968, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) began their successful run, achieving nine top-10 singles and eight gold albums.

1968: Formation of Creedence Clearwater Revival

In 1968, after Fogerty's active duty ended, The Golliwogs changed their name to Creedence Clearwater Revival, with John Fogerty as lead singer. They released their debut album and their first hit single, "Susie Q".

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January 1971: Tom Fogerty Leaves CCR

In January 1971, Tom Fogerty left Creedence Clearwater Revival due to internal rifts within the band.

April 1972: Release of 'Mardi Gras' and Disbandment of CCR

In April 1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival released their final album, 'Mardi Gras'. The group disbanded shortly after, despite the album's commercial success.

1972: Last Large Audience CCR Performance

Before his performance on July 4, 1987, the last time John Fogerty had performed any Creedence Clearwater Revival songs for a large audience was in 1972.

1972: CCR's Successful Run End

By 1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) had achieved nine top-10 singles and eight gold albums, marking the end of their initial successful run together.

1972: Fogerty's Solo Career Begins

In 1972, after Creedence Clearwater Revival parted ways, John Fogerty began a successful solo career.

1973: Release of 'The Blue Ridge Rangers'

In 1973, John Fogerty released 'The Blue Ridge Rangers', which featured the hit song "Jambalaya".

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1974: Release of "Comin' Down The Road"

In early 1974, John Fogerty released "Comin' Down The Road" with the instrumental "Ricochet" as a B-side.

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1975: Release of First Solo Album

In 1975, John Fogerty released his first official solo album, 'John Fogerty'. It had slim sales initially, but yielded the song "Rockin' All Over the World".

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1976: Rejection of the 'Hoodoo' Album

In 1976, John Fogerty finished an album called 'Hoodoo', but it was rejected by Asylum Records due to not meeting his standards, and Fogerty had the master tapes destroyed in the 1980s.

1977: Status Quo Records "Rockin' All Over the World"

In 1977, Status Quo recorded their version of John Fogerty's "Rockin' All Over the World", which became a major hit in the UK and other countries.

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1980: CCR Reunion at Tom Fogerty's Wedding

In 1980, the only reunion of all four original members of Creedence Clearwater Revival occurred at Tom Fogerty's wedding.

1983: CCR Reunion at High School Reunion

In 1983, John Fogerty, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook reunited for a 45-minute set at their 20th high school class reunion.

May 31, 1985: Filming of 'John Fogerty's All-Stars' for Showtime

On May 31, 1985, John Fogerty filmed a music and interview special for Showtime called 'John Fogerty's All-Stars', which featured rhythm and blues tunes, material from the 'Centerfield' LP, and the song "No Love in You".

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1985: Release of 'Centerfield'

In 1985, John Fogerty's solo career re-emerged with 'Centerfield', his first album for Warner Bros. Records. The album went to the top of the charts and included the hit song "The Old Man Down the Road".

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1986: Release of 'Eye of the Zombie'

In 1986, John Fogerty released 'Eye of the Zombie', a less successful follow-up album to 'Centerfield'. He toured, but initially refused to play CCR material.

1986: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Appearance

In 1986, prior to his performance for Vietnam veterans, John Fogerty made a guest appearance at the Palomino and a performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, marking the first time he had performed any Creedence Clearwater Revival songs for a large audience since 1972.

July 4, 1987: Performance for Vietnam Veterans in D.C.

On July 4, 1987, John Fogerty played Creedence Clearwater Revival material at a concert in Washington, D.C., for Vietnam veterans, which was aired on HBO. This was the first time since 1972 Fogerty performed CCR songs for a large audience.

May 27, 1989: Concert Against AIDS at Oakland Coliseum

On May 27, 1989, John Fogerty played a set of Creedence Clearwater Revival material at Oakland Coliseum for the Concert Against AIDS, backed by Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Randy Jackson, and Steve Jordan.

1990: Mississippi Inspiration Trip

In 1990, John Fogerty traveled to Mississippi for inspiration, visited Robert Johnson's gravesite, and decided to perform his old CCR material again. He also funded headstones for blues musicians.

1993: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1993, Creedence Clearwater Revival was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. John Fogerty did not perform with former bandmates. He performed three songs with Bruce Springsteen and Robbie Robertson at the ceremony.

1993: Creedence Clearwater Revival's Hall of Fame Induction

In 1993, Creedence Clearwater Revival was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. John Fogerty refused to perform with former bandmates and performed with Bruce Springsteen and Robbie Robertson instead.

1997: Release of 'Blue Moon Swamp'

In 1997, John Fogerty returned to the commercial music industry with 'Blue Moon Swamp', which won the Grammy for best rock album.

October 1, 1998: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

On October 1, 1998, John Fogerty received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1998: Release of 'Premonition'

In 1998, John Fogerty released 'Premonition', a live album of the 'Blue Moon Swamp' tour, to acclaim and good sales.

2002: 'Blue Moon Nights' Featured in 'The Rookie'

In 2002, the track "Blue Moon Nights" from John Fogerty's 'Blue Moon Swamp' album was used in the film 'The Rookie'.

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2004: Release of 'Deja Vu All Over Again'

In 2004, John Fogerty released 'Deja Vu All Over Again', which included the title track, a song criticizing the Iraq War as another Vietnam.

2004: Sale of Fantasy Records

In 2004, the sale of Fantasy Records to Concord Records ended the 30-year estrangement between John Fogerty and his former label, as the new owners took steps to restore royalty rights Fogerty had given up to be released from his contract in the mid-1970s.

September 2005: Return to Fantasy Records

In September 2005, John Fogerty returned to Fantasy Records, after DreamWorks Records' noncountry-music unit was absorbed by Geffen Records, which dropped Fogerty but continued to distribute his earlier solo albums.

November 2005: Release of "The Long Road Home"

In November 2005, John Fogerty released "The Long Road Home", a compilation CD combining his CCR hits with solo material, under the new Fantasy contract.

2005: Touring with John Mellencamp

In 2005, John Fogerty toured with John Mellencamp during the summer.

June 29, 2006: First Headlining British Concert Since 1972

On June 29, 2006, John Fogerty played his first headlining British concert since 1972 at the Hammersmith Apollo theater in London, as part of the European leg of his tour. During that leg, he also performed in Sundsvall, Sweden, where 25,000 people came to see him.

October 2, 2007: Release of Revival

On October 2, 2007, John Fogerty's album "Revival" was released. The album debuted at No. 14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with sales of about 65,000 copies in its first week.

August 31, 2009: Release of "The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again"

On August 31, 2009, John Fogerty released "The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again", a sequel to his 1973 solo debut "The Blue Ridge Rangers". The album features duets with Bruce Springsteen and collaborations with Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit of Eagles.

2009: Re-recording of "Change in the Weather"

In 2009, John Fogerty included "Change in the Weather" from the album Eye of the Zombie in his tour setlist and re-recorded it for the album 'The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again'.

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January 2012: Song Debut and Guest Star Appearance on 'The Finder'

In January 2012, John Fogerty's new song "Swamp Water" debuted over the opening credits of the new Fox TV series "The Finder". Fogerty wrote the song for the show and guest-starred in its debut episode.

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November 12, 2012: Announcement of Memoirs

On November 12, 2012, John Fogerty announced that he was writing his memoirs, with the book expected to be released in 2015.

May 28, 2013: Release of 'Wrote a Song for Everyone'

On May 28, 2013, his 68th birthday, John Fogerty's album "Wrote a Song for Everyone" was released on Vanguard Records. The album is a collection of classics and tracks from his canon of hits performed with other artists, and includes two new Fogerty-penned songs.

October 2015: Publication of Autobiography

In October 2015, John Fogerty published his autobiography, "Fortunate Son" (Little, Brown & Co.).

September 2017: New Recording Contract with BMG Rights Management

In September 2017, John Fogerty signed a new recording contract with BMG Rights Management, which will cover an upcoming album and his solo catalogue.

October 19, 2020: Backing Vocals on Hearty Har's 'Scream and Shout'

On October 19, 2020, John Fogerty performed backing vocals on "Scream and Shout", a single by his sons' band Hearty Har.

January 6, 2021: Release of 'Weeping in the Promised Land'

On January 6, 2021, John Fogerty released "Weeping in the Promised Land", a gospel-styled single featuring sociopolitical commentary on Black Lives Matter, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Donald Trump.