John Fogerty biography, songs, tour, music

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<h2>Early Life and Musical Beginnings</h2>
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<a href="/biography/john-fogerty">John Cameron Fogerty</a> was born on May 28, 1945, in Berkeley, California. He is the younger <a href="/biography/john-fogerty">brother</a> of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Fogerty">guitarist</a> and singer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Fogerty">Tom Fogerty</a>. John attended El Cerrito High School, where he developed his passion for music and learned to play guitar, partially under the mentorship of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Olivier">Barry Olivier</a>, a notable figure in the Berkeley folk music scene and producer of the Berkeley Folk Festival.
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Alongside classmates <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Clifford">Doug Clifford</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stu_Cook">Stu Cook</a>, and his brother <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Fogerty">Tom</a>, John co-founded a band initially called The Blue Velvets. Based in El Cerrito, California, the group evolved into The Golliwogs in 1965, releasing a few singles with limited commercial success.
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<h2>Rise of Creedence Clearwater Revival</h2>
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In 1967, the band underwent a major transformation and adopted the name Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). John replaced his brother <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Fogerty">Tom</a> as the lead vocalist and quickly became the primary creative force behind the group. CCR's self-titled debut album was released in 1968, featuring their first major hit, "Susie Q."
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That same year saw the releases of notable albums Bayou Country and Proud Mary, which solidified the band’s signature swamp rock sound. Despite its growing popularity, tensions within the group led to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Fogerty">Tom Fogerty</a>’s departure in 1971. CCR released their final studio album, Mardi Gras, in April 1972 before disbanding. The band later reunited only once, informally, at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Fogerty">Tom</a>’s wedding in 1980.
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<h2>Solo Career and The Blue Ridge Rangers</h2>
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After CCR's breakup, John Fogerty began his solo career under the name The Blue Ridge Rangers, releasing a self-titled album in 1973. The record consisted entirely of country covers, including a rendition of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Williams">Hank Williams</a>’ “Jambalaya.” Although his debut solo efforts were met with moderate interest, subsequent releases struggled commercially.
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Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Fogerty faced extensive legal battles over royalties and copyrights, particularly with his former label, Fantasy Records. These hurdles, along with personal and creative struggles, led to a quiet period in his career. However, Fogerty later reflected that regaining artistic control and peace of mind held more value than financial gain.
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<h2>Commercial Comeback with Centerfield</h2>
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In 1985, John Fogerty made a dynamic comeback with his Warner Bros. debut album, Centerfield. The album reached number one on the Billboard charts, driven by hits like the title track. However, the track “Zanz Kant Danz”—perceived as a jab at Fantasy Records <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Zaentz">executive</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Zaentz">Saul Zaentz</a>—faced legal pushback, prompting Fogerty to alter lyrics in later releases.
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His follow-up album, Eye of the Zombie (1986), was less well-received and marked a downturn in both critical and commercial success. Tours during this period generated limited attention, reflecting the album's overall muted impact.
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<h2>Revival of Legacy and Grammy Recognition</h2>
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The sudden death of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Fogerty">Tom Fogerty</a> in 1990 marked a somber chapter in John’s life, especially as the brothers were estranged in their final years. Nevertheless, a brief trip to Mississippi rekindled his creative spark. John began performing CCR classics again in live shows—a practice he had previously avoided.
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His 1997 solo album, Blue Moon Swamp, marked a successful return. The album earned the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album and reinstated his relevance in the rock genre. After a period of relative quiet, Fogerty returned in 2004 with Deja Vu All Over Again, a concise 10-track album reflecting on themes of war and renewal.
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In 2007, continuing his momentum, Fogerty released Revival, a new rock album that debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 and sold 65,000 copies in its first week. The album received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album. At the 2008 Grammy Awards, he performed “Comin’ Down the Road,” a rare 1973 single, alongside rock legends <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Lee_Lewis">Jerry Lee Lewis</a> and <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a>.
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<h2>The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again and Later Projects</h2>
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In August 2009, Fogerty released The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again, a sequel to his earlier solo project. The album featured collaborations with artists like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Springsteen">Bruce Springsteen</a> and was met with favorable reviews. His track “Change in the Weather” earned a 2010 Grammy nomination for Best Rock Solo Vocal Performance.
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Fogerty began work on Wrote a Song for Everyone in 2011. Released on May 28, 2013—his 68th birthday—the album featured reimagined versions of CCR hits performed with guest artists such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foo_Fighters">Foo Fighters</a> and <a href="/biography/miranda-lambert">Miranda Lambert</a>, blending rock and country influences.
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<h2>Personal Life</h2>
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John Fogerty married Martha Piaz in 1965, and the couple had three children before divorcing in 1970. In 1986, he met Julie Kramer, and they married on April 20, 1991, in Indiana. Julie had a daughter, Lyndsay Lebiedzinski, from a previous relationship, and together John and Julie had three children: sons Shane and Tyler, and daughter Kelsy. As of 2009, the family resided in Beverly Hills, California.
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