In the short time of Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1968 – 1972, some outstanding hits were created. These included, above all, the outstanding album ‘Cosmo’s Factory’ and the hit ‘Up Around the Bend’, which was also released on the album, the call to embrace new times. The album is regarded as the artistic highlight of her career.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Up Around The Bend
With the demand to work hard on himself, bandleader John Fogerty pursued a mentality that would later lead to the group’s rancour. Factory, a garage rehearsal space, and Cosmo, the nickname of drummer Doug Clifford, formed the album name. Even before the album was released in July 1970, songs such as ‘Travelin’ Band‘/’Who’ll Stop the Rain‘ and “Up Around the Bend”/’Run Through the Jungle’ were already firm favourites on the radio.
The band released numerous hits until their break-up in 1972. However, the speed at which they worked on these hits led to intense tensions and was therefore also the trigger for the break-up of Creedence Clearwater Revival, or CCR for short. Tom Fogerty, the band leader’s brother, had already left the band.
American Bandstand 1970 – 1970 Dance Contest Finalists – Up Around The Bend, CCR
A band that could not call well-known faces such as Morrison, Hendrix, Clapton or Page their own had a hard time at the end of the 1960s and had to work particularly hard on their career to get a place on airplay (radio and television) and thus get their chance. Something that had driven Fogerty to become as productive as possible. With this knowledge, he demanded a special effort from the band, which resulted in really good hits, without the usual hooks like sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. On the contrary, the band had created their very own genre, a mixture of sothern and swamp rock.
The fifth album in two years was to be a stroke of genius for him. And the album made it to number 4 in the USA and number 3 in the UK. Fogerty incorporated guitar mixes like those of Jimi Hendrix, driving chord sequences like those of the Beatles and harmonic sounds like those of the Greatful Dead. A lot of power in just over 2 minutes, the song first appeared on the single ‘Run Through the Jungle’. Little is known about the creation of the song itself or the idea behind it. Only the circumstances of the time and interpretations that arise from the lyrics, as well as the special type of John Fogerty, allow many a music fetishist to understand what idea Fogerty seemed to be inspired and driven by.
The song ‘Up Around the Bend’ is about the call for change and freedom, leaving problems behind and approaching the new with optimism. The song was written in the midst of global political, cultural and social unrest and calls for hope and solace in a turbulent time. The Vietnam War, civil rights movements, primarily in the USA, and thus questioning the status quo, a rebellious call to free oneself from the maelstrom of the past.
Fogerty is still active today as a solo artist, a Grammy award winner and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Over 100 million records were sold together with and during the CCR era. In 2019, he celebrated his 50th anniversary on stage and is far from thinking about retiring. Instead, there was a worldwide tour, ‘My 50 Year Trip’, to which he also dedicated an album ‘50 Year Trip: Live at Red Rocks’. This included songs by Creedence Clearwater Revival and hits that were played at the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969. In 2020, Fogerty went into self-quarantine with his family and produced music in his home studio. This resulted in a weekly video series that was released via BMG. ‘Weeping in the Promised Land’, released in 2021, became a dedication to all those affected by the pandemic, as well as those who had suffered prejudice and injustice, with a view to better days ahead.
At the beginning of 2025, John Fogerty has regained the rights to his songs, which were taken from him by the music label, and is currently planning upcoming tours again.