In 1969 and 1970, Creedence Clearwater Revival generated one of the most amazing runs of hits in American music history: from Proud Mary to Green River, Bad Moon Rising to Travelin’ Band and Lookin’ Out My Back Door.
But for all their success with those John Fogerty–penned classics, CCR never held the #1 spot on the Hot 100. All five of those hits peaked at #2. That’s a Billboard chart record they hold to this day; the most #2 songs without a #1 hit.
Throw in four more Top 10 singles (and B-sides that would have been hit singles on their own) and it’s easy to see why in that two-year period, no band in the U.S. outsold the group that may have looked (thanks to John Fogerty’s fondness for flannel shirts) and sounded (with lyrics about bayous, bullfrogs, catfish, and the Mississippi River) like they came from Louisiana, but were actually from the San Francisco Bay area.
When they ventured into the political arena with socially conscious lyrics about topics including the Vietnam War, they never changed their appearance for the sake of success. Fogerty continued to wear his beloved flannel shirts, even when the band played at Woodstock in 1969.
Their compilation album, Chronicle The 20 Greatest Hits, originally released in 1976, is still on the Billboard 200 album chart and reached the 500-weeks mark in December, 2020. It has been awarded 10x platinum, indicating it has sold over 10 million copies.
No, they weren’t “hip” but damn, they were good.
Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right
The CCR Medley
Proud Mary #2
Born On The Bayou B-Side
Green River #2
Bad Moon Rising #2
Down On The Corner #3
Fortunate Son #3
Travelin’ Band #2
Who’ll Stop The Rain B-Side
Lookin’ Out My Back Door #2
Up Around The Bend #4
Run Through The Jungle #4
Long As I Can See The Light B-Side
Good Morning, Ray. I always thought it was interesting that in the mid to late 60s we had Brits trying to sound like Americans, Americans trying to sound like they were British and along comes John Fogerty, from the West Coast sounding like a Swamp Rat. A crazy time indeed. It is amazing that a group can come on the scene with a totally original sound. CCR was that group. They just exploded. Every time you turned the radio on you could expect to hear them. Their career is like a predictable B movie. Exploding on the scene, taking over the airwaves, can’t miss hits that don’t stop coming, evil manager stealing & controlling their money and publishing leading to internal strife and the eventual breaking up of the band. The twist here is that John Fogerty refuses to play his own music because he won’t enrich the evil manager. He was incredibly stubborn. I love that quality. What was left for him to do, go solo and produce more great music that he owned. ( currently Taylor Swift is in a somewhat similar situation)). His recent autobiography goes into all of his trials & tribulations in great detail and is a good read. Chapter two is producing some very good music. As baseball season approaches, get ready to hear Centerfield, the absolute best sports song ever. He has been active during the pandemic with interesting videos featuring his family and lots of good music. Ray, you are sending us into the weekend with another fabulous set of unforgettable music. Thank you for taking the time to stir up old memories , you do that so well. Your efforts are appreciated. Rock on Brother.
Thanks, Don.
For a short time in the late 60s, CCR was America’s band. No question about it. What happened to them financially (John Fogerty in particular) was a travesty.
As a film producer, Saul Zaentz was a 3-time winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture (One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus, and The English Patient) but as a record label executive, he was a blood sucking leech.
There was a lot of “bad” connected to CCR, thanks to Mr. Zaentz, but the music the band produced in that far too short time frame will never be forgotten.
CHOOGLE ON, BROTHER!
Fantastic Friday Finale for the week! Love CCR and enjoyed this invigorating medley! We are so lucky to have you to keep us smiling! Have a great day! 🙂 XOXOXOXO 🙂
Thank you, Wendyl ❤️
As long as I can keep you smiling, I must be doing something right! 🙂
Have a super duper Friday!
❤️XOXOXOXO❤️
what a great medley to end the very long week! Love CCR and John F’s gritty voice. Nobody like them nor will there ever be. Have a great day and week-end Ray!
Thank you, Penny. )
I hoped the medley helped to get your day moving along at a nice pace.
Have a wonderful weekend! ❤️