John Fogerty "no longer angry at his former bandmates," open to Creedence reunion

[Amerigo Vespucci]

John Fogerty Open to Creedence Clearwater Revival Reunion Singer says he is no longer angry at his former bandmates

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-fogerty-open-to-creedence-clearwater-revival-reunion-20110711



After years of bad blood with his old bandmates, John Fogerty has softened his position on the possibility of a Creedence Clearwater Revival reunion. In an interview with the Calgary Herald, Fogerty says that he no longer feels an intense bitterness toward bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford. The guitarist refused to appear with either of them when the band was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and he sued the duo in 1997 for performing under the name Creedence Clearwater Revisited.

"Years ago, I looked at people and I was so full of some sort of emotion and I'd say, 'Absolutely not!'," Fogerty says. "I have to admit, people have asked me more recently, and even though I have no idea how such a series of events would come to pass, I can tell that there isn't the bombast in my voice, in the denial, in the refusal. It's more like, 'Well, I dunno.' Never say never is I guess is what people tell you. In this life, all kinds of strange things come to pass."

As of yet, Fogerty has no plans to pursue a reunion, but is open to giving it a shot down the line. "Realizing that it doesn't really kick up a big firestorm of emotion, it kind of suggests that at least if someone started talking I'd sit still long enough to listen," he says.

[freshwest]

1. Held his grudge long enough to hurt himself financially, probably.

I had people in my family who hadn't been on speaking terms for many years and then one died. Drove the survivor absolutely bats. Rather it was over grief from the good days they had before they had their verbal disagreement/not loving each other while alive, or not getting the last word in, IDK. I hope it was the former. Of course, these things happen.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

2. The Van Halen / David Lee Roth reunion...never say never when money's involved.

I think about Deep Purple and Ritchie Blackmore...they're on record, on a couple of DVDs, of saying they basically got sick of his diva behavior. He's doing Renaissance Faire acoustic crap with his wife.

The first time they all sit down and say "My bank account is shrinking," they'll be hummin' and strummin' "Smoke On The Water" before you know it.

There is virtually no reason on Earth for a Creedence reunion.

The Police were a different matter...Sting reuniting with Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland was an event. It was a cash grab, but it was still an event.

But John's brother Tom died in 1990, so a true Creedence reunion is impossible.

In the years following the end of Creedence, Fogerty has played with musicians whose talent and skill eclipse both Clifford and Cook. And today, he can still have his pick of any drummer and bass player he wants.

So it would be for the money. No other reason.

[abq e streeter]

3. Just to play devil's advocate...

Maybe he still feels a soft spot in his heart for a couple of guys that were his friends so many years ago, has decided that maybe he's had enough years of being bitter and wants to have another chance to make music with them for one more round before it's too late. Again, nothing whatsoever to base this on except as an alternate possibility. I finally saw him for the first time about 4 years ago, and loved it, and I'd pay to see that band or a reunion with Cook and Clifford, equally.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

4. OK, that I can see as a possibility...

...because no matter what Clifford and Cook might make on the road without Fogerty, it doesn't come close to what they'd make with him.

Creedence was an odd critter, though...if you look at "Mardi Gras," their 7th (and last) studio album, where everybody was given a slice of the songwriting pie, there are no hits on this one, except the very minor hit "Someday Never Comes"...which was written by Fogerty.

I loved Creedence back in the day...I've always felt "Cosmo's Factory" was every bit as good as any British rock effort like the Stones' "Sticky Fingers" or Cream's "Wheels of Fire"...it just starts out at full throttle, there's no filler, and it still sounds good today.

I don't know if that's because of Fogerty's talents as a micro-manager or the band's chops (or a combination of both).

But yeah, what are Clifford and Cook gonna do at their age...start a new Beatles? So if they go out on one last tour and put that money in the bank and the fans are happy, then it's no harm, no foul.

:toast:

[KamaAina]

8. Mom swears I suffered from prenatal "Cosmo's Factory" exposure

Been a fan pretty much ever since.

[Mendocino]

5. When I was going to college

in the mid to late 70's, I worked concerts. We generally showed up about 7 AM and worked our day butts off all day. By the time the shows would start we'd find some corner backstage and try to sleep, yes you can sleep at a rock concert. Then work till about 4am and then crash.

Anyway you would talk to the roadies and one had worked for CCR. He said John Fogerty was a real prick and Prima Donna, and from other things I've heard I have no reason to doubt it.

[Bake]

6. I've loved every bandmate I've ever played with like a brother

But I've been lucky to have some good'uns. There was Animal, the drummer. Shakey, the guitar player with too many effects boxes (I kept telling him the sound you're looking for is in your HANDS, not in an effects box! He wanted to sound like Clapton ...), DJ, who played bluegrass on a Les Paul (!!), Dilley (bass player with a Thunderbird, who coined the phrase "get in G and face South"); Possum, who taught me everything I know, but not everything HE knows, about the banjo; Ellison, who would find the groove on the upright bass and totally get "in the zone;" Dr. Wayne (a psychiatrist, best mando man I've ever played with, totally defined "cool"), Dougie and Pookie, who could flat-out play some serious bluegrass; and last but certainly not least, Jerry Brooks, my bestest friend and brother in the entire world, one of the finest banjo/guitar/you name it/ players on the freakin' planet -- he and I could blend harmony like we'd come from the same mother and her last name was Everly, he's my lifelong best brother in arms!

But I've been lucky.

Bake

[RebelOne]

7. I would love to see Creedence reunion.

I was a big fan way back when. I bought every album they ever recorded.

[MicaelS]

9. So what was Fogarty so angry about? n/t

[Amerigo Vespucci]

11. Can't remember, but...

...I do remember him "venting" in detail, on several occasions. and I let it go in one ear and out the other 'cause I just didn't care.

:-)

[CBGLuthier]

10. Money Running Out?

[kwassa]

12. David Byrne of the Talking Heads still refuses to have a reunion.

though most of his behavior is inexplicable ....

another case where there would be a large audience wanting to see them.