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 acrimonious (and infamous) split in 1972 ended their hot streak but the music they created lives on.
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
Ray this am I am going to just listen!! I remember everyone of these songs like it was yesterday!! I don’t know if this group knows that John’s brother was the rhythm guitar player Tom poor kid died at the age of 48!! Ray I don’t remember if his death was before or after the Band’s break up?? I only know about Tom because back in those days I played rhythm guitar and I would listen to him and others as I still think that we didn’t get the credit that was deserved!! After all, that is where the rythum comes from!! I think the music back then was so good as bands like CCR’s songs fit the time and had great story lines!! Man I sure did ramble on for just listening!! Another great start to my day!! Ray fantastic and I still like flannel shirts!! love ya
Thanks, Fred.
Tom left the band in 1971 because he was fed up with John’s dictatorial leadership of the band. Like his younger brother, Tom was a songwriter but never got the chance to have his songs recorded by CCR, thanks to John’s insistence that only his music was suitable.
Tom underwent back surgery in the 1980s and was given a blood transfusion that was not screened for HIV. This caused him to become infected with the virus and subsequently resulted in his contraction of AIDS alongside his ensuing complications with tuberculosis, all of which eventually led to his death on September 6, 1990.
I’m glad you enjoyed the music!
Love Ya!
Super start to the weekend! As I remember, this was really the first band that was part country that I listened to. Back in the 60’s and 70’s I would have said that I did not like country. As I matured I got a great appreciation for country. I pretty much listen to anything now. It’s all music. If it makes me feel good, it’s good! So sad to hear that the brothers, John and Tom couldn’t share better. So glad my two younger brothers respected me better. Have a great weekend everyone!
Thank you, Jim!
If the music moves you, it doesn’t matter what genre it is.
The most telling John Fogerty quote about his brother: “The best I can say in Tom’s case is he was the older brother and the younger brother had a lot more talent, therefore Tom was jealous even to a greater degree than the other two in Creedence Clearwater Revival.”
John definitely had some issues that he did not deal with in a mature way.
Sad, really, because it took some of the luster away from his amazing accomplishments.
Thanks for the fun and memories CCR brought
Saw Fogerty as a solo a few years back, may have been a tyrant but was fun to see
Thanks, Mary Helen 🥰
Yep, John is a control freak but the man wrote some amazing songs.
Awesome selection to start the day/weekend, thanks <3
Thank you, Nancy ❤️ I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Love CCR and a great medley to finish out this week .. am off in 15 minutes 🙂
Hope you are doing well!!!
Thank you again for another great medley and have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, Penny 🥰
Have a wonderful and peaceful weekend!
I’ve always loved CCR, maybe because as Jim said it is kinda “countryish”. Sad when brothers can’t get along-makes me not want to like John much. Anyhow, this is a great medley, and thanks for putting it together, Ray. P.S., my favorite is Who’ll Stop The Rain. Surprised it was the “B”side.
Thank you, Pat 🥰
The Fogerty brothers weren’t the best of friends, that’s for sure.Their rivalry diminished the fame they achieved.
Who’ll Stop The Rain was another example of having so many great songs that a wonderful song like that couldn’t warrant being an A side.
Listening these for maybe the fourth time, I like all 3 “B” side songs the best. Ray, wondering , as a DJ, did you find songs that didn’t hit the top of the charts, but played them regardless of that?
That happened quite a bit, Jim, and it also included songs that didn’t hit the Top 40 at all. Good music is good music, regardless of where the songs placed in the charts.
Well I wish I hadn’t waited so long to listen to this, and I will have to listen to it again. Do you know the one thing that really strikes me and their music, is the wonderful instrumental intros of every song, some more than others. Like I love the uniqueness of looking out my back door, and then fortunate son, just always thought the music was fantastic in spite of all of the quarrels and the problems that existed within the group itself. Fortunately that never made it to the stage. It’s going to make me dig out my CCR CD, and play it here in the house, or maybe in the car. This is just been so good to listen to. Thank you Ray so much! You’re the best! ❤️
Thank you, Sandy ❤️
Great group, no doubt, but one very egotistical frontman.