TOP TEN: The Best Songs Of Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) [RETRO]

This band was formed in the early 60s when the trio of John Fogerty (lead vocals and guitar), Doug Clifford (drums) and Stu Cook (first piano later bass guitar) met at their Junior High School in California and called themselves "Blue Velvet" and were joined by John's brother Tom Fogerty (guitar). They signed a record deal with an independent jazz label but soon John and Doug were enlisted to the military and the band had to go on an hiatus in 1966. 1967 the label was bought by an American film producer and he changed their names to "the Golliwogs" which the band hated. So they choose to own their name and became "Creedence Clearwater Revival". According to interviews with the band members the name was chosen because

- Tom Fogerty had a friend named Credence Newball, whose name they changed to form the word Creedence (as in creed)
- they saw a television commercial for Olympia Brewing Company ("clear water")
- the four members' renewed their commitment to their band

In 1968 their cover song "Suzie Q" got airplay in San Francisco and Chiago and reached the US Charts where it peaked at #11. They released their debut album "Creedence Clearwater Revival" in 1968 and achieved moderate success, peaking at #52. In January of 1969 they released their 2nd album "Bayou Country" and reached the Top 10 in the USA and the Top 20 in Canada. The single "Proud Mary" (which was later covered by Ike & Tina Turner) peaked at #2 in the US Billboard Single Charts. Later that year they released the single "Bad Moon Rising" and reached #1 in the UK Single Charts - their only #1 in that country. In August of '69 they released their 3rd album "Green River" and topped the US album charts. It was certified triple platinum in the USA. The title track also peaked at #2 in the US single charts. CCR performed at Woodstock Festival that year but their appearance was cut from the film and the original soundtrack due to it being "subpar" as John stated. In November they released their next album "Willy And The Poor Boys" and peaked at #3 in the USA, #2 in Australia and Canada and #10 in the UK. "Down On The Corner" was released as a single and peaked at #3 in the USA.

In 1970 the band released their next album "Cosmo's Factory" - it became a huge worldwide hit topping the charts in the USA, Australia, Canada and UK and peaked at #4 in Germany and #10 in Japan among other places. The singles "Up Around The Bend" and "Lookin' Out My Back Door" peaked at #1 in Canada and Australia and reached the Top 5 in many countries. At the end of the year they released their next album "Pendulum" and peaked at #5 in the USA. It was the final album with the full line-up as in early 1971 Tom Fogerty resigned and left the group. The three final members released another album in 1972 called "Mardi Gras" (which peaked at #12) but the tension in the group were already at a breaking point and after a 2 month-tour in the USA the band announced their split in October of 1972. CCR never formally reunited although Cook and Clifford later formed the band "Creedence Clearwater Revisited". John Fogerty had a decent career as a solo artist but brother Tom died in 1990 of an AIDS complication he got due to a blood transfusion.

In 1993 the band was inducted into the Rock n Roll Music Hall of Fame. Here now are my favorite 10 songs of this group, hope you enjoy! What are your favorites and memories? Write in the comments and discuss this ranking.

No copyright infringement intended you can buy and stream all these songs in your favorite store in full length. No money is made with these videos, they are simply a hobby to celebrate music. To support CCR go to their official sites, buy and stream their songs. Thank you!
http://creedence-online.net/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69yJGpLNIMk6_ECLwxBZwA

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