Bad Moon Rising: The Unauthorized History of Creedence Clearwater Revival

I've just finished this book and I have to say, if you can read it with the understanding that the writer is ABSOLUTELY biased against John Fogerty, you can gain some insight into the band and their ups and downs. I was already disappointed with Fogerty's behavior at the infamous Hall of Fame ceremony (barring the other members from playing with him on stage) before even purchasing this book. But between this book, and reading "Up Around the Bend: The Oral History of Creedence Clearwater Revival", a new perspective began to emerge.In 1983, after winning a major court battle (one of many they would face), Fogerty was in a good enough frame of mind to invite his former CCR band mates Stu Cook and Doug Clifford to play with him on stage at their high school reunion. Lines of communication were open and who knows what could have happened in the years to come. About a year later, Fogerty releases his solo album CENTERFIELD, which features the song "Old Man Down the Road" and these are Cook's comments about the album according to this book:"Don't get me wrong. I wish him well. But if he was going to copy an old Creedence tune, he should have picked 'Proud Mary' instead of 'Run Through the Jungle.'"Fantasy music executive Saul Zaentz (Fogerty's old nemesis) decided to sue Fogerty for basically plagiarizing himself, claiming "Old Man Down the Road" is a direct copy of "Run Through the Jungle". This is no coincidence. Zaentz had claimed the lawsuit was Doug Clifford's idea. Clifford denied this in a court of law. Yet according to the "Oral History" book, Clifford admits to telling Zaentz that he thought the new Fogerty song was "Run Through the Jungle" with different lyrics. What I think happened is Cook and Clifford heard the record, were disappointed that they weren't invited by Fogerty to contribute and they reacted with claims of plagiarism. My theory of their disappointment is supported by further comments by Cook in that same interview regarding CENTERFIELD:"If we weren't good enough to play in his band, and this is what he's come up with by playing all the instruments himself, I am glad I didn't play on this album."Sour grapes indeed. At worst, Cook and Clifford went to Zaentz and played the song, giving him the idea to sue. At best, they supported the notion that Fogerty was plagiarizing the original song. Fogerty was found not guilty after a long-running trial (anyone with a good ear can hear the difference between both songs), but the damage was done.The point is, with their involvement in the plagiarism claims fresh in his mind (as well as other conflicts), it's now a little easier to understand why Fogerty was not happy about playing with those guys at the Hall of Fame. I still believe he should have been the bigger person and let them play. But at least I understand his point of view.The problem with this particular book is the writer Hank Bordowitz takes a few unfair shots at Fogerty, while praising Cook and Clifford. He suggests that Cook and Clifford have enjoyed more success as Creedence Clearwater Revisited than Fogerty has as a solo artist. Because their concerts sell more tickets than Fogerty's (in Latin America, where Fogerty hardly ever plays). Because, as the book puts it, at Fogerty's concerts audiences sway but don't really dance, yet at Revisited's concert they dance on the seats (nevermind that you can easily find footage online of people dancing at Fogerty concerts). Oh, and none of Fogerty's last few solo albums have sold as well as Revisited's album (nevermind that Fogerty's albums featured ALL NEW songs compared to Revisited's album of, well, Fogerty's old Creedence classics). Bordowitz also implies a carelessness from Fogerty toward his own brother's death (Tom Fogerty, the other member of CCR). Fogerty could have handled that situation better, but the writer goes too far here. We all handle tragedy our own way and I'm sure Tom's passing tore John up inside.If the swipes at Fogerty weren't enough, the writer downplays the guilt of the other members. The plagiarism issue is a perfect example. Bordowitz KNOWS Cook and Clifford were involved. Yet, he only hints at the suggestion. Contrast that with how many times he reminds us of Fogerty's guilt in the Hall of Fame debacle.There's really no need for the writer to take cheap shots at Fogerty. He tells a good enough story that we can judge on our own. Fogerty has made some jerky moves over the years. But he also got a VERY raw deal! Despite Bordowitz best efforts, I have become more sympathetic to Fogerty and less so to Stu Cook. I did not expect to feel that way.There are some interesting aspects to the book. The reason I give it 3 stars is because the actual facts included are intriguing, and this book will have to do until a better one comes along. A book that does the research, tells the story straight, and let's us judge for ourselves. The greatest rock band in American history deserves no less.

This is a great book and it is part of American history and culture of the 60's. The voice of John Fogerty i have seen his performances with his new band and he basically was CREEDANCE CLEERWATER. That band had a long string of Hit songs i believe written by John Fogerty. His new music is very good too especially the Song (DeJeVu) detailing the story of the unwinable war that was VIETNAM and the present parallels of the conflict in AFGANISTAN which yes to me is also unwinable as the Taliband will just wait until all Western Countries make a exit. I understand the Taliband has been pushed into the mountains and into Pakistan, we all pull out what then!!!!. The Taliban will return and take over again. I associate Creedance Clearwater with the Vienam conflict in the sixies also Jimmy Hendricks too but especially John Fogerty and that true song "FORTUNATE SON" and other songs., Yes if the GOVT's of the day.had to send their children to the war they may reassess their decision but their children go to University and are indeed a( fortunate son). The real sadness is that Creedance Clearwater who were and are a brilliant band were robbed by their record companies as so many others had in those early days of rock and roll. The new band are brilliant and the songs sung sound exactly like the originals Good reading, real sad, happy, tears and then hope that John Fogery who as he continues to tour the world people will re buy his albums , that is his new ones as i have. He is an incredible musician changing his guitar mostly for every song. Each guitar does something different. Like there was one Elvis, one Beatles etc atc there is only one Creedance Cleerwater and that is John Fogerty who has such a amazing and incredible booming voice that even with so many guitars playing together booms over the sound. This is a 6 star book and to own a couple of his live concerts is an amazing experience. I had no idea John Fogerty served and survived Vietnam with the Army. We and and he are blesssed that he appears to stilll be in good health and has not lost his touch. He and his band are nothing short of BRILLIANT, so to also read the book was wonderful reading as i said there will be a lot of emotions you will feel some happy some sad, some funny but at least John survived and has blessed the world with his great and superlative voice and musical ability.For all of the new younger generation experience the brilliance of John Fogerty and read his and his band's story, it good reading. I am indeed very fortunate as i have a 3 zone Bose music system so the music sound so great and you have the best seat in the house but i missed his last concert in Australia and would definitely make the effort to see him live it would be so exciting. I just live in hope he and his new band return to Australia hopefully if no this year the sometime soon. Watching his live concerts i noticed a good mix of all ages so that is wonderful. Buy the book, get his dvds and cds as i have and just sit back AND ENJOY.you will not be dissapointed it is very exciting to watch. .BUT buy his new albums and DVDS there is only happiness listening to he and the band. Just an unbelievable experience and i intend to buy more of his live concerts, i have 2.

There are 3 major books on CCR. This one, "A song for everyone" & John Foggerty's "Fortunate Son" I read all 3. This one is "just the facts madam" written. While Throughall it lacked feeling. All 3 books are from 3 completely different views - they painted 3 different stories almost. John really laid it out in his - complaining a lot about how he bought the band tics on the gravy train (I can understand that) & they betrayed him. The word "history" in the title says it all - get John's if you really want a juicy read. And make a judgement who's side you are on.

Less than halfway through this book, as CCR cease recording and touring,the author asserts: '...in many ways, this is where the story really begins.' Well....no. Parts One and Two trace the rapid rise and sudden burn-out of the band and comprise a brisk and workmanlike account. It's good to recall how respected and popular CCR were, masters of the almost impossible task of creating catchy hooky hard rock and consciously appealing to pretty well everybody, from hippy to redneck. John Fogerty's multi-faceted genius comes through clearly, as does the control-freak in him. But Bordowitz then fills more than half of his book with a drab and largely superfluous account of the sad decline into medicrity and irrelevance of all four members, the post-split legal wrangles and decades of backbiting and recrimination. This stuff makes poor reading for a CCR fan like me. This isn't the first band biography to give its post-split years as much weight as the golden years together - witness John Rogan's interminable biog of the Byrds - and it's surely a mistake. CCR's post-1972 era could've been covered much more appropriately in one succinct and even-handed final chapter. Thorough source notes, discography and index are pluses. In 1970 CCR were touted as stepping into the Beatles' shoes: they were THAT respected and successful. And they deserve a better-balanced biography, which majors on the band's music and its place in rock history, not on the human frailties of its members in the years after the band had ceased to exist.

Great book written about a great band but also a sad story. Well worth reading highly recommend.

Very good read, a must for any serious fans of CCR or 60s/70s music. It's suprising how little material is available on the best and most successful band of the late 60s. A fair account of the band's rise and sad but inevitable breakup and it's aftermath. Lets the reader draw his own conclusions.

Having long been a fan of the music, I decided to learn about the men that gave countless generations of music fans endless pleasure in good old-fashioned rock and roll.I'm glad I did and no doubt you will too. It's a fascinating insight into what made a band great also drove them apart.Today it could be called arrogance or ego I see it more as someone driven to succeed at all costs. As one chapter headlines it "he just doesn't want to go back to the carwash"Read it and make up your own mind

A+