| Although
generally bracketed with the post-psychedelic wave of San
Franciscan groups, Creedence Clearwater Revival boasted one
of the region's longest pedigrees. John Fogerty (b. 28 May
1945, Berkeley, California, USA; lead guitar/vocals), Tom
Fogerty (b. 9 November 1941, Berkeley, California, USA, d.
6 September 1990, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; rhythm guitar/vocals),
Stu Cook (b. 25 April 1945, Oakland, California, USA; bass)
and Doug Clifford (b. 24 April 1945, Palo Alto, California,
USA; drums) began performing together in 1959 while attending
high school. Initially known as the Blue Velvets, then Tommy
Fogerty And The Blue Velvets, the quartet became a popular
attraction in the Bay Area suburb of El Cerrito and as such
completed a single, "Bonita", for the local independent
Orchestra. In 1964 they auditioned for the more prestigious
Fantasy Records, who signed them on the understanding that
they change their name to the more topical Golliwogs to monopolize
on the concurrent "British Invasion". Between 1965
and 1967, the re christened group recorded seven singles,
ranging from the Beatles-influenced "Don't Tell Me No
More Lies" to the compulsive "Fight Fire" and
"Walk Upon The Water", two superb garage band classics.
The quartet turned fully professional in December 1967 and
in doing so became known as Creedence Clearwater Revival. |
