On “Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years,” John Fogerty revisits seminal classic rock hits he wrote and recorded over 50 years ago. Originally performed with his late brother Tom in Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), Fogerty has recreated 20 iconic tunes, including “Proud Mary,” “Fortunate Son,” and “Bad Moon Rising,” with his sons Shane and Tyler. His wife and manager, Julie, serves as executive producer.
During a Zoom interview, Fogerty expressed pride in recording with his sons, who have been in his touring band for several years. He also credited his wife’s business acumen and vision for inspiring him to remake these renowned tunes.
The impetus for “Legacy,” released Aug. 22 on Concord, was Fogerty regaining control of his songs after a half-century fight and turning 80. In 2023, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer gained majority control of his CCR publishing rights after one of the longest battles in rock history. This victory gave him a new sense of ownership and pride over the songs.
The “Legacy” tracks are tagged “John’s Version,” a playful nod to Taylor Swift’s “Taylor’s Version” album re-recordings. Fogerty commented, “I wanted them to call [the re-recordings] Taylor’s Version. I lobbied for that: ‘You want this to sell? Call it ‘Taylor’s."”
Though decades apart, Fogerty and Swift’s successful fights to own their material—Swift, her masters, and Fogerty, his publishing—bear similarities. Fogerty said, “I was so happy to see her solution to her predicament… I was applauding her doing [the re-recordings]. I’m convinced that her re-recording those in many ways reset the condition, so that she was able to purchase the originals.”
The new versions on “Legacy” are intended to closely mirror the originals. Fogerty recounted a moment when he was listening to a national radio station and couldn’t distinguish between the old and new versions of “Up Around the Bend,” saying, “It actually fooled me.”
In an expansive interview, Fogerty discussed revisiting some of America’s beloved rock songs, spending time in the studio with his family, his friendship with Bruce Springsteen, and his views on current political issues.
How did this album come about?
Julie suggested re-recording some of the old songs years ago. Initially, I wasn’t eager, but her vision was full of joy, and it became appealing after regaining publishing rights. Turning 80 also played a role, and doing it with my family made it more engaging.
What was it like being in the studio?
Recording with my sons and Julie was vital and joyous. It was a genuine experience that couldn’t be manufactured. The process reacquainted me with my artistic self and became more engaging when interacting with my family.
When did it click in the studio?
The engagement really strengthened when collaborating with Shane, Tyler, and Julie. It was like making something together as a family, which brought great joy and excitement. Watching this new band experience what I felt with CCR was fulfilling.
Did you use original recordings for reference?
Yes, particularly for “Born on the Bayou,” I had to listen to the original to capture its character accurately. Julie helped retrieve my old Rickenbacker guitar, which we used along with a custom amp to recreate the sound authentically.
Did you find yourself imparting advice to your sons similar to what you gave CCR?
Yes, but I first gave those instructions to myself. It was a spiritual journey, understanding the reasons behind the original choices. It was a wonderful experience, especially having my sons involved.
What song from ‘Legacy’ would you put in a time capsule?
While I initially thought of “Proud Mary,” I would choose “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” It’s a beautiful song with a pop melody, and it reminds me of my audience and the joy they’ve brought me over the years.
Is there a newfound joy in performing live now?
Yes, performing now is an antidote to the unhappy ending of CCR. Making music with loved ones brings a unified life experience. I have no intention of stopping anytime soon.
