John Fogerty Addresses 'Fortunate Son' / Springsteen Concert for Valor Controversy

[flamingdem]

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-fogerty-addresses-fortunate-son-concert-for-valor-controversy-20141113

John Fogerty has responded to criticism of Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl and Zac Brown's performance of "Fortunate Son" – the hit single Fogerty wrote while a member of his former band, Creedence Clearwater Revival – at the Concert for Valor earlier this week.

"'Fortunate Son' is a song I wrote during the Vietnam War over 45 years ago," Fogerty said in a statement. "As an American and a songwriter, I am proud that the song still has resonance. I do believe that its meaning gets misinterpreted and even usurped by various factions wishing to make their own case. What a great country we have that a song like this can be performed in a setting like Concert for Valor.

"Years ago, an ultraconservative administration tried to paint anyone who questioned its policies as 'un-American,'" he continues. "That same administration shamefully ignored and mistreated the soldiers returning from Vietnam. As a man who was drafted and served his country during those times, I have ultimate respect for the men and women who protect us today and demand that they receive the respect that they deserve."

Springsteen also performed his own anti–Vietnam War hit, "Born in the U.S.A.," during his Concert for Valor set. Other performers at the event included Eminem, Rihanna, Metallica, the Black Keys and Carrie Underwood.

Also:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/11/fox-hosts-befuddled-by-fortunate-son-lyrics-claim-springsteen-bashes-soldiers-on-veterans-day/

Fox hosts befuddled by ‘Fortunate Son’ lyrics, claim Springsteen ‘bashes soldiers’ on Veteran’s Day
---
Fox News on Wednesday suggested that a song protesting the Vietnam war draft and elitism in Washington was performed by Bruce Springsteen on Veteran’s Day because he was “taking shots at the red, white and blue.”

Original with Creedence Clearwater

How did that get in here?

[TwilightGardener]

1. Insane that a 45 year old song, embedded in our culture as an anthem

for those who couldn't avoid the draft, is considered too "controversial" for a Veterans Day concert. Just so fucking stupid.

[flamingdem]

2. We can't be regressing that much, can we?

It's a strong song, Fox got that right, it communicates even without knowing the lyrics. Just the "silver spoon" lyrics tell you there's a class issue being addressed.

[TwilightGardener]

4. Right wingers think a Veterans Day concert should start with Lee Greenwood, end with

Lee Greenwood, and some Charlie Daniels or Toby Keith in the middle. Patriotic cheese.

[azmom]

3. What a great song!!

Nothing but truth in those lyrics. That's why they hate it.

[flamingdem]

5. Yes indeed, it's still relevant for sure

and they hate it now like they did then!

found this on Wikipedia:

Origin

The song is a counterculture era anti-war anthem, criticizing militant patriotic behavior and those who support the use of military force without having to "pay the costs" themselves (either financially or by serving in a wartime military).[5] The song, released during the Vietnam War, is not explicit in its criticism of that war in particular, but the clear attacks on the elite classes (the families that give birth to "fortunate sons&quot of America and their withdrawal from the costs of nationalistic imperialism are easy to contextualize to that conflict. The song was inspired by the wedding of David Eisenhower, the grandson of President Dwight David Eisenhower, to Julie Nixon, the daughter of President Richard Nixon, in 1968.[6] The song's author and singer, John Fogerty, told Rolling Stone: "Julie Nixon was hanging around with David Eisenhower, and you just had the feeling that none of these people were going to be involved with the war. In 1968, the majority of the country thought morale was great among the troops, and eighty percent of them were in favor of the war. But to some of us who were watching closely, we just knew we were headed for trouble." [7] The song has been widely used to protest military actions and elitism in Western society, particularly in the United States; as an added consequence of its popularity, it has even been used in completely unrelated situations, such as to advertise blue jeans.

[Andy823]

6. I bought the 8 track tape

Back when it first came out. I love Creedence Clearwater. I was drafted in 1971 and played it all the time while I was in the army. It was the favorite of a lot of us who had been drafted.

[flamingdem]

28. I can't imagine a draft in this day and age

and as unfair as it was, those in college got to skip out if I remember, amazingly unjust.

[pinboy3niner]

7. I saw Fogerty perform it at the Welcome Home Concert for Vietnam Vets in D.C. in '87

It was the first time he performed any of his CCR hits in years because of a legal dispute over the copyright, under which he had to pay royalties to perform his own songs. But that night he said fuck it, he was going to play it for the Vietnam vets.

I've seen him do it in concert a bunch of times since then, but I'll never forget that night at the vet concert. That meant something.

[KingCharlemagne]

31. It sounds like Fogerty knew George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and\or Dan Quayle personally (and

formed quite the opinion of their 'other priorities' approach).

Glad you got to see Fogerty perform it live. He's sort of unusual these days from what I hear, in that he both plays and sings at the same time when he performs (and he plays a pretty mean electric guitar - the introductory riff for 'Green River' is one of my personal favs).

[pinboy3niner]

39. One of the guitars he plays in concert is the same one he played at Woodstock

He makes note of that in his shows--and for the benefit of the young 'uns, he makes clear that when he says Woodstock, he's talking about "the first one."

[JI7]

8. trying to claim the song is bashing Soldiers ?

fox sucks so bad

[tosh]

16. Indeed.

The stupidity is astounding.

[pinboy3niner]

17. Fogerty was a draftee, himself. nt

[johnp3907]

9. Made me sick when a piece of this song was used in a Wrangler jeans commercial.

I was happy to learn that Fogerty had nothing to do with it, as he didn't own the rights to the song. I found this quote from Fogerty on Wikpedia:

"Yes, the people that owned Fantasy Records also owned all my early songs, and they would do all kinds of stuff I really hated in a commercial way with my songs. ... Then one day somebody from the L.A. Times actually bothered to call me up and ask me how I felt, and I finally had a chance to talk about it. And I said I'm very much against my song being used to sell pants. ... So my position got stated very well in the newspaper, and lo and behold, Wrangler to their credit said, "Wow, even though we made our agreement with the publisher, the owner of the song, we can see now that John Fogerty really hates the idea", so they stopped doing it."

[KingCharlemagne]

32. I think my next jeans purchase will be Wrangler. They are righteous. - nt

[WillyT]

10. K & R !!!

[October]

11. Fox and the Right Wing Just has to Cry "VICTIM!" 24/7

Omg, they're so persecuted.

They're not too stupid to understand; they just make a circus of outrage over everything!

And EVERYTHING offends them.

[love_katz]

14. Circus of outrage.

Perfect description. Stealing!

[tclambert]

12. Class warfare! Class warfare!

Damn right. It's time we fight!

[PennyK]

13. Know when I saw Fogerty perform this song?

At Radio City at a fund-raiser for "our next president, John F. Kerry!"
Great night...Sarah Jessica, Paul Newman, Dave Matthews, Whoopi Goldberg, among others.

[pinboy3niner]

19. I saw him do it on the Vote for Change Tour

Fogerty, Springsteen, R.E.M., and Bright Eyes did the concert in Cleveland. My going was a fluke. I was volunteering for Kerry in Columbus and just happened to meet a group of young civil rights lawyers coming by for yard signs who offered me their extra ticket and said I could ride to Cleveland with them.

I also met Newman when he dropped by our Kerry field office before a panel discussion he was doing in Columbus one night. Newman was a 'Veteran for Kerry,' and because I was the only veteran on hand in the office at the time, our office director decided I should meet him. Then I was appointed to speak with Newman on the panel to replace a no-show, but the scheduled speaker turned up at the last minute. I think what the guy had was a failure to communicate.

[flamingdem]

23. Really?! I didn't know that about Paul Newman

great to hear about this, didn't even know he was a veteran, and I thought I was a fan..

[AnnieBW]

15. They finally heard the verses to "Born in the USA"?

After all, Saint Ronnie wanted to use it for his theme song, right? Yeah, go USA and all that! I guess they never actually listened to the rest of the song. ;D

[noiretextatique]

18. great anti-war song

so of course it they hate it.

[SCVDem]

20. How many of those Fox pricks

were spat at and abused with chants of "Baby Killer".

We were younger than 22 and while I joined the Marines and wasn't drafted, I expected a little better outside Disneyland. I volunteered so one other could stay home.

Many of us veterans appreciate the anti-war and social injustice soundtrack of our youth. They were speaking for us.

I guess you just had to be there. Which is why Fox, rightwing politicians and the rich will never get it. Have a Coke and a smile, and shut the fuck up!

I wonder how they feel about "Ohio" by Neil Young. Offended?

This phony patriotism must stop!

[flamingdem]

25. I was only about 10-15 years old but I had a bad attitude towards soldiers

when protesting in those days. Maybe I made the separation between those in charge and soldiers to some extent but I'm not sure I did until I saw soldiers participating in peace marches. Sorry you went through that!

[sendero]

21. Fortunate Son.

..... IMHO was and is a perfect recitation of how things work in America. It's not just about war and the injustice of how those who serve are chosen, it is about how a privileged class uses everyone else. It is more relevant today than it was in 1968. And it's message could not be more clear.

[abelenkpe]

22. Agreed. Nt

[Dustlawyer]

24. John Fogerty is AWESOME! Saw him at the Houston Livestock Rodeo and he bashed W in between each

song! Considering W was still President and Fogerty was in Houston, Texas I thought he was very brave. Turns out almost everyone there aplauded what he said, but none louder than me. He even said the Dixie Chicks were right, but these assholes still wont play them on Country radio down South.
I read in Rolling stone many years ago that during the trial where Fogerty had been sued for copywrite infringement of his own earlier work with his new song (at that time), Old Man Down the Road, that he explained style vs. copying sitting in the witness stand playing a guitar for hours. I bet there were people who regretted skipping jury duty that week! Anyway, after the jury came back in his favor of no infringement, and had also ruled in his favor on his countersuit against the record company for unpaid royalties, he invited all of the jury and people in the courtroom down the street to a local bar offering to pick up the tab!

[flamingdem]

26. Wow, wish I'd seen that!

Good for him, hope he speaks up more would love to hear what he's thinking now.

[CreekDog]

37. Fogerty's been a vocal liberal for as long as I can remember

He has made the Bay Area proud by his music and by his advocacy (he's from El Cerrito).

He played several of those concerts for Kerry in 2004 too.

[pinboy3niner]

35. Great story! I just found a net Q&A Fogerty did last year that addressed the trial...

Q:

[–]norogernorerunnorent 728 points 1 year ago

Back in 1993 you actually were sued for plagiarizing yourself when your former label argued that your solo song, "The Old Man Down The Road" sounded too similar to CCR's "Run Through The Jungle". The case was actually agued before The Supreme Court! What did you learn - if anything - from this experience? Do you think the case had any merit?

A:

[–]johnfogertyJohn Fogerty (S) 2300 points 1 year ago

Came to trial in 1988. This is a complicated story and I'll try to explain it even tho it gets weirder when I try to type it. I really don't think the case had merit. For instance, when my album Centerfield first came out, I heard a rumor that Fantasy was going to sue me, but at first they were talking about the song Green River. Later they changed their mind to Run Through the Jungle. Seemed they were searching to find something they owned that sounded similar to The Old Man Down the Road. Obviously I finally ended up in a courtroom where I sang a little of both songs and showed how my style on the guitar evolved, making many of the things I do sound similar musically Every artist in the world actually spends a lifetime hoping he will find "a style." That is a style. A musical style. If you're lucky enough to find one, it means you are instantly recognizable to the listener. Byt he way, the case was, I believe, really clear when Fantasy's musical expert played a computerized version of each song with a series of beeps coming out of the speaker. He explained that if the songs were the same, you would only hear one note at the song. If you heard two beeps at the same time, the melodies weren't the same. As we've now come to learn in our internet world where you click the button and there it goes, the man in the courtroom clicked the button. Three notes - same melody. Rest of the way was 2 beeps. I chuckled to myself cause the man had blown his own case. Proved the songs were not similar, but uniquely different. I didn't argue the case in front of the Supreme Court. There was argued my right to get my attorneys fees back. Wasn't built in uniquely in cases like this. The deck was really stacked against me and all songwriters. Fact that they made that ruling is very important for songwriters from now on. Vote was 11-0.

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1fa3ed/i_am_john_fogerty_singer_songwriter_and_former/ca89hw2

[Kath1]

27. Jesus Christ!

What kind of idiotic contoversy is the right wing going to stir up next? Non-issue.

[RoverSuswade]

29. More lies about Hillary.

For Rush and his ilk to start brainwashing the 'murcans' with.

[Kath1]

30. LOL!

And "Murcans" actually believe it!

[rocktivity]

33. That song is a reasonant slap in the face, all right

of the ultraconservative policies that created Bruce's audience full of UN-fortunate sons!


rocktivity

[flamingdem]

34. Too true, even though the Middle East wars weren't in the time of the draft

the soldiers were there for economic reasons and not born with silver spoons for sure.

It is really resonant though a point was made by Howard Feinman that the song is not about avoiding or condemning being a soldier, more about being resigned and seeing injustice.

We're too resigned in this country..

[freshwest]

36. But Carrie Underwood was cool with them after mocking Obama November 5th at the CMA Awards show:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cmas-hosts-mock-president-obama-746920

I was looking for a Johnny Cash song after reading the Merle Haggard thread. A Pauliban made a nasty anti-Obama song out of Johnny's Folsom Prison tune. He's dead and can't speak out against them.

The search results are full of lies and say Cash would spit on Obama if he were alive. These people are like rabid dogs, they never stop and are so hateful.

Anytime one wants to cut them some slack to respect their 1A rights, this is how one is repaid. They have seared consciences.

[Dawson Leery]

40. Underwood is a little passive aggressive tory kiss ass.

She fits in perfectly with zie Ryman mafia.

[CreekDog]

38. I saw Springsteen in Sacramento in 2003 and he opened with a Fogerty song

he had opened international shows with "War". but his first show in the USA, here, he opened with the Fogerty song, an acoustic version of "Who'll Stop The Rain". He had been starting his shows with an outright anti war song, but for the US shows, my impression, as the Iraq War was starting, was that the antiwar message was more subtle, but it was there in the song choice, the artist he covered, and the way he covered it.

i love the idea of the two of them collaborating. they are both voices of conscience for us.