Bad Moon Rising: The Unauthorized History of Creedence Clearwater Revival [Paperback]

Hank Bordowitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2007

Rightly called the saddest story in rock 'n' roll history, this Creedence biography—newly updated with stories from band members, producers, business associates, close friends, and families—recounts the tragic and triumphant tale of one of America’s most beloved bands. Hailed as the great American rock band from 1968 to 1971, Creedence Clearwater Revival captured the imaginations of a generation with classic hits like “Proud Mary,” “Down on the Corner,” “Green River,” “Born on the Bayou,” and “Who’ll Stop the Rain.” Mounting tensions among bandmates over vibrant guitarist and lead vocalist John Fogerty’s creative control led to the band's demise. Tracing the lives of four musicians who redefined an American roots-rock sound with unequaled passion and power, this music biography exposes the bitter end and abandoned talent of a band left crippled by debt and dissension.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Departing from the psychedelic sound that dominated the airwaves in the late 1960s, California's Creedence Clearwater Revival churned out a string of roots-rock hits so critically acclaimed and commercially successful that, after the Beatles broke up in 1971, CCR was hailed by some as the world's most popular band. But within a year, CCR too had disbanded, victims of the internecine squabbles and exploitative record deals that have destroyed all too many rock groups. Bordowitz, a contributor to such magazines as Spin and Guitar Player, charts the band's lowly beginnings as a quartet of high school pals struggling to make ends meet on the northern California club circuit, their meteoric rise to the top of the charts following the release of their debut album in 1968 and the conflicts over creative controlAespecially between frontman John Fogerty and his brother and rhythm guitarist, TomAthat led to their breakup. Bordowitz provides evenhanded treatment of highly charged issues such as the often bitter sibling rivalry and the band's protracted legal wranglings with their record company, as well as insights into the songcraft behind their biggest hits, including "Proud Mary," "Bad Moon Rising" and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain." An unabashed fan, Bordowitz ably interweaves other critical assessments of the group's output over the years, persuasively demonstrating that CCR has earned their reputation as one of the most important bands in rock history. Photos. Agents, Fran Liebowitz and Jason Weiner. Foreign rights, Jennifer Hayes.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) were Bay Area music scene misfits: they eschewed the psychedelic excesses and drug use of their contemporaries while adhering to a strict work ethic that led to a prolific string of hit albums and singles from 1968 to 1972, including their most famous anthem, "Proud Mary." But the thing that made the group a success?the rigid creative control wielded by singer-songwriter-producer John Fogerty?also destroyed the group as the other three members struggled for more input. In his first book, and the first major biography of the band, freelance music writer Bordowitz brings CCR's complex story to life, from their decade-long struggle for success to the bitter in-fighting over the group's legacy that continues 25 years after Creedence self-destructed. Bordowitz never takes sides or passes judgment yet brilliantly illuminates the tragedy of CCR's lost potential. Demand may be heightened by Fogerty's current comeback album and tour. Highly recommended.?Lloyd Jansen, Stockton-San Joaquin Cty. P.L., CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press; Updated edition edition (July 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155652661X
• ISBN-13: 978-1556526619
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #525,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid and interesting look at CCR's tangled history, September 3, 2002

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bad Moon Rising: The Unofficial History of Creedence Clearwater Revival (Paperback)

A band that generated almost as many lawsuits as hit singles, Creendece Clearwater Revival became a mainstain of both FM and AM radio during the 60's and 70's. John Fogerty's solo career has continued successfully and the remaining band members (John's older brother Tom died in 1990) have resumed touring as CCR Revisited. While they've managed to put some of the past difficulties with their old label behind them (via the lawsuits), Stu Cook, Doug Clifford and John Fogerty have never been able to settle the issues that tore this seminal rock band apart.

Bordowitz does a fine job of detailing the conflicts and legal tensions that caused the band to implode. Although they all contributed to the sound of the band (and the break up), Fogerty (naturally) got the lion's share of praise because he wrote, sang and produced the songs for the band. A musical polymath, Fogerty has never been able to distance himself from the emotional turmoil that their success generated.

The trouble with any nonfiction book about a band is that it's always going to be second hand information and interpretation despite the wealth of interviews included here. It's clear that whatever happend between the members was due to very complex dynamics. The author does a very good job of distilling the essence of the conflict between the four members. None of the band members are portrayed as saints and John Fogerty comes off as enormously talented but every bit the control freak.

We'll never really know what went on within CCR except that it's clear that the very thing that drove them also tore them apart. The author manages to convey the conflicts through older and recent interviews with the participants. Sadly, Tom Fogerty isn't around any longer to shed any additional insight into what occurred.

The most heartbreaking and powerful chapter details the band's induction into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. John Fogerty made it very clear to musical director Robbie Robertson he wasn't going to perform CCR tunes with his old bandmates. It's sad because it was a shared moment of glory when Fogerty, Cook & Clifford could have put their difficulties behind them. Fogerty performed with the house band after Bruce Springsteen inducted them into the hall of fame.

The book is very fair balanced and the many rare photos (of the band at Tom Fogerty's wedding and performing at their high school reunion) add a nice perspective to the band's story. John's views are expressed via independently published interviews. Still, considering the "myth" that has grown up around the band, it is refreshing to hear both Cook and Clifford's point of view in addition to the three Fogerty brothers (non performer Bob is quoted as well).

It's a perfect companion to Craig Werner's CCR: An Oral History. Taken together, these two books convey the importance of CCR to music and also the difficulties that guarenteed they wouldn't remain together more longer.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This is a very good book to read, but flawed., December 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: BAD MOON RISING. The Unofficial History of Creedence Clearwater Revival (Hardcover)

I have to give the author credit for writing a book about this band, one of my favorite groups. This story should have been written some time ago. The book for the most part is well researched and fairly even-handed. People who might not know much about the band other than their (or more truthfully, Fogerty's) hits will be very surprised at how interesting and sad this story is. The biggest flaw I have with this book is that their is no John Fogerty interview for this book. To get Fogerty's side he uses past magazine and interviews in those articles and he uses them well. But since this is a complex and emotional story that is largley he said/they said, for me this is a vital missing element.Fogerty comes very badly in some sections of the book and while what was written and said may or may not be true, I feel it comes off very one-sided.Cook and Clifford (who came across to me as very ungrateful. I mean, John Fogerty was primarily the reason the band reached the heights they did. If it wasn't for him, they would not be where they are today)however, did give interviews for this book and at times while they are respectful, a good portion of the time they spent criticizing Fogerty's personality, methods, etc. ( again, if Fogerty is that bad, why do Cook and Clifford trying to get him to come back and re-form the band? It's obvious they can't make it on their own). Also, as Creedence Clearwater Revisited, the songs they play in concert, except "Suzy Q" and "I heard it Through the Grapevine" are all John Fogerty songs. The same John Fogerty they complain about. Cook and Clifford don't even sing their own songs off Mardi Gras ( they may be greedy, but they're not stupid. They know who made the money for them). It's these sort of contradictions that I wish the author would have expanded on and it's these things are why I think the book comes off as a bit one-sided. Overall, though, the author does a solid job of writing on this subject and since this is the only book written on Fogerty and the band, I recommend it.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Detailed, May 16, 2000

By 

G. J Wiener (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BAD MOON RISING. The Unofficial History of Creedence Clearwater Revival (Hardcover)

This book gives a very good account of the history of one of America's Greatest Rock N Roll bands. The story really unfloded itself AFTER the band broke up. Its so sad that with so many rock n roll bands having reunions years after breaking up, this will never happen with the surviving members of this band. It would be nice to hear more from John's point of view as the book somewhat sides with Stu and Doug. Whereas Stu and Doug were a very talented rhythm section, how often has one heard original material from these guys? John Fogerty has proven with his solo releases that he was the straw that stirred the Creedence Drink. None the less, John could have been a little more diplomatic about things particularly at the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame Jam. If anything, this book will have you thinking, What If at many critical junctures. Just try to overcome the slight bias against John and you will find this book very informative