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 singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the frontman of Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). He founded CCR with Doug Clifford, Stu Cook, and his brother Tom Fogerty, serving as lead singer, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter. During their peak from 1968 to 1972, CCR achieved significant success, with nine top-10 singles and eight gold albums. Fogerty and CCR were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, solidifying their lasting 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, inspired by rock and roll pioneers.

1964: The Blue Velvets sign with Fantasy Records

In 1964, The Blue Velvets, the band formed by John Fogerty, signed with Fantasy Records, which changed their name to The Golliwogs without their consent.

1967: The Golliwogs resume playing

In late 1967, after John Fogerty's active duty Army Reserve service ended, The Golliwogs resumed playing and released an album.

1968: CCR rise to fame

In 1968, John Fogerty's band, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), began their rise to fame, achieving nine top-10 singles and eight gold albums between 1968 and 1972.

1968: Name change to Creedence Clearwater Revival

In 1968, The Golliwogs changed their name to Creedence Clearwater Revival, with John Fogerty becoming the lead singer, and released their debut album, which featured the hit single "Susie Q".

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January 1971: Tom Fogerty leaves Creedence Clearwater Revival

In January 1971, Tom Fogerty left Creedence Clearwater Revival due to internal rifts and feeling underappreciated.

April 1972: Release of the final album Mardi Gras

In April 1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival released their final album, Mardi Gras, which included the hit single "Sweet Hitch-Hiker".

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1972: CCR Success

By 1972, John Fogerty's band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) had achieved nine top-10 singles and eight gold albums.

1972: Last time Fogerty played CCR songs

In 1972 was the last time John Fogerty had performed any Creedence Clearwater Revival songs for a large audience until 1987.

1972: Solo Career Begins

In 1972, after Creedence Clearwater Revival parted ways, John Fogerty began a successful solo career. He was later listed in Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Songwriters and Singers.

1973: Release of The Blue Ridge Rangers album

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

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1975: Release of first official solo album, John Fogerty

In 1975, John Fogerty released his first official solo album, John Fogerty. It yielded "Rockin' All Over the World", which was a hit for Fogerty in the United States.

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1976: Hoodoo album rejected

In 1976, John Fogerty finished an album called Hoodoo, but it was rejected by Asylum Records, and Fogerty later agreed that it wasn't up to his standards and had the master tapes destroyed.

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

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

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1985: Release of Centerfield

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

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1986: Release of Eye of the Zombie and tour

In 1986, John Fogerty released the album Eye of the Zombie, which was less successful than Centerfield, and he toured behind the album, but refused to play any CCR material.

July 4, 1987: Fogerty plays CCR material at Vietnam veterans concert

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.

May 27, 1989: Performance at Concert Against AIDS

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

1990: Inspiration in Mississippi

In 1990, John Fogerty traveled to Mississippi for inspiration and visited the gravesite of blues legend Robert Johnson, which led him to decide to start making a new album and perform his old CCR material regularly. During his visit, he also met Skip Henderson and funded headstones for several blues musicians.

1997: Release of Blue Moon Swamp

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

1998: Release of Premonition

In 1998, a live album called Premonition, of the Blue Moon Swamp tour, was released.

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2004: Release of Deja Vu All Over Again

In 2004, John Fogerty released Deja Vu All Over Again through DreamWorks Records, with the title track criticizing the Iraq War as another Vietnam.

2009: Inclusion of 'Change in the Weather' in setlist and re-recording

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

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