John Fogerty

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• Genre: Roots
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About

From 1968-1971, Creedence Clearwater Revival were a commercial juggernaut, with nine Top 10 albums, even outselling the Beatles in 1970. But unlike the Beatles, founding member John Fogerty just couldn't let it be, going head to head with Fantasy Records founder Saul Zaentz over wanting to rewrite contracts he signed when he was just 18. Fogerty lost the rights to songs like "Proud Mary" and "Fortunate Son" for almost 35 years, and Zaentz, an Oscar-winning film producer, sued Fogerty, claiming he was defamed on "Zanz Kant Danz" and "Mr. Greed" from 1985's Centerfield, Forgerty's fourth solo effort. That record with its driving, rhythmic songs, assertive, swampy guitars, poetic social commentary and the singer's trademark idiosyncratic raw, sometimes unhinged voice landed on the top of the charts. If that wasn't vindication enough, a San Francisco jury found Forgerty not guilty of the charges brought by Zantz. In 2005, the iconic songwriter was reunited with his songs, putting out his very first greatest hits CD, the aptly titled Long Road Home , the next year. He continues to be a vital, earthy performer, and his ascendance presaged a whole generation of heartland rockers.

- Mike Cloward