Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) were founded in the East Bay and although they became one of America's most famous bands they were never really regarded as a San Francisco/Bay Area band. Their style simply didn't represent the San Francisco Sound during those years. Nevertheless, they collected gold and platinum albums and their hits are rock standards today.
CCR's members included brothers Tom and John Fogerty, Stu Cook and Doug Clifford. The latter three started to play together in the late 50s as Blue Velvet. Tom Fogerty played as a solo artist but eventually joined his younger brother's band. When they signed with Fantasy Records in 1964 they changed their name to The Golliwogs. Although they were not professional musicians then, as they all had their day jobs, they released several singles under that name and had a hit with "Brown Eyed Girl" (not the Van Morrison tune) in 1965.
In 1967 the management at Fantasy Records changed and The Golliwogs changed their name to Creedence Clearwater Revival and recorded their first album. The first single Suzie Q became an instant hit and marked the start of many hits to come, i.e. reworked cover tunes or the band's compositions. Although, the creator of the CCR compositions was one person only, i.e. John Fogerty who wrote and arranged most of the material. Thus he also gave directions and was (seen as) the mastermind behind CCR - something Tom couldn't live with and eventually left the band in 1971.
The three remaining members continued to play together but although they had recorded six albums filled with hits John Fogerty finally ran out of ideas and their follow-up album flopped. The Rolling Stone, i.e. John Landau wrote 'the worst album I have ever heard by a major rock band'. This judgement was certainly exaggerated but helped that the group disbanded at the end of 1972.
Fantasy issued two live albums and several Best Of albums as CCR have always been their biggest cash cow. John Fogerty started a successful solo career. Tom Fogerty wasn't as successful - as a matter of fact he contracted Aids from a blood transfusion and died in 1990. Stu Cook played in the quite successful Southern Pacific during the 80s and started Creedence Clearwater Revisited with Doug Clifford in 1995 - but that's all different stories. CCR remains to be one of the biggest Amerian bands ever and that they are a Bay Area band as well should not be forgotten.
Discography (without Best Of Compilations):
 | Creedence Clearwater Revival Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy Records 1968)) | I Put A Spell On You -- The Working Man -- Susie Q -- Ninety-Nine And A Half -- Get Down Woman -- Porterville -- Gloomy -- Walking On The Water Musicians: Tom Fogerty (guitar/vocals); John Fogerty (guitar/vocals); Stu Cook (drums); Doug Clifford (bass) | |
 | Bayou Country Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy Records 1969) | Born On The Bayou -- Bootleg -- Graveyard Train -- Godd Golly Miss Molly -- Penthouse Pauper -- Proud Mary -- Keep On Chooglin' Musicians: Tom Fogerty (guitar/vocals); John Fogerty (guitar/vocals); Stu Cook (drums); Doug Clifford (bass) | |
 | Green River Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy Records 1969) | Green River -- Commotion -- Tombstone Shadow -- Wrote A Song For Everyone -- Bad Moon Rising -- Lodi -- Cross-Tie Walker -- Sinister Purpose -- The Night Time Is The Right Time Musicians: Tom Fogerty (guitar/vocals); John Fogerty (guitar/vocals); Stu Cook (drums); Doug Clifford (bass) | |
 | Willy And The Poor Boys Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy Records 1969) | Down On The Corner -- It Came Out Of Sky -- Cotton Fields -- Poorboy Shuffle -- Feelin' Blue -- Fortunate Son -- Don't Look Now -- The Midnight Special -- Side O' The Road -- Effigy Musicians: Tom Fogerty (guitar/vocals); John Fogerty (guitar/vocals); Stu Cook (drums); Doug Clifford (bass) | |
 | Cosmo's Factory Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy Records 1970) | Ramble Tamble -- Before You Accuse Me -- Travelin' Band -- Ooby Dooby -- Lookin' Out Of My Back Door -- Run Through The Jungle -- Up Around The Bend -- My Baby Left Me -- Who'll Stop The Rain -- I Heard It Through The Grape Wine -- Long As I Can See The Light Musicians: Tom Fogerty (guitar/vocals); John Fogerty (guitar/vocals); Stu Cook (drums); Doug Clifford (bass) | |
 | Pendulum Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy Records 1970) | Pagan Baby -- Sailor's Lament -- Chameleon -- Have You Ever Seen The Rain? -- (I Wish I Could) Hideaway -- Born To Move -- Hey Tonight -- It's Just A Thought -- Molina -- Rude Awakening #2 Musicians: Tom Fogerty (guitar/vocals); John Fogerty (guitar/vocals); Stu Cook (drums); Doug Clifford (bass) | |
 | Mardi Gras Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy Records 1972) | Lookin' For A Reason -- Take A Little Friend -- Need Someone To Hold -- Tearin' Up The Country -- Someday Never Comes -- What Are You Gonna Do -- Sail Away -- Hello Mary Lou -- Door To Door -- Sweet Hitch-Hiker Musicians: John Fogerty (guitar/vocals); Stu Cook (drums); Doug Clifford (bass) | |
 | Live In Europe Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy Records 1974) | Born On The Bayou -- Green River/Suzie Q -- It Came Out Of The Sky -- Travelin' Band -- Fortunate Son -- Commotion -- Lodi -- Bad Moon Rising -- Proud Mary -- Up Around The Band -- Hey Tonight -- Keep On Chooglin' Musicians: John Fogerty (guitar/vocals); Stu Cook (drums); Doug Clifford (bass) | |
 | The Concert Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy Records 1980) | Born On The Bayou -- Green River -- Tombstone Shadow -- Don't Look Now -- Travelin' Band -- Who'll Stop The Rain -- Bad Moon Rising -- Proud Mary -- Fortunate Son -- Commotion -- The Midnight Special -- The Night Time Is The Right Time -- Down On The Corner -- Keep On Chooglin' Musicians: Tom Fogerty (guitar/vocals); John Fogerty (guitar/vocals); Stu Cook (drums); Doug Clifford (bass) Recorded at the Oakland Coliseum, CA, on January 31, 1970. |
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