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

Hank Bordowitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

Reveals CCR's short-lived glory days to their eventual band conflicts, all through interviews with the surviving band members, managers, producers, and families.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bordowitz brings CCR’s complex story to life . . . [He] never takes sides or passes judgment yet brilliantly illuminates the tragedy of CCR’s lost potential."  —Library Journal

"Bordowitz’s recounting of all the acrimony is well detailed and not too hyperbolic. This is a must reading for CCR-philes."  —Booklist

"If Hank Bordowitz’s Bad Moon Rising isn’t ‘the saddest story in rock ’n’ roll,’ . . . it certainly comes within kissing distance."  —USA Today

"A new, pretty good examination of the group."  —Houston Chronicle

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Hank Bordowitz is a veteran music journalist, a former recording artist, and a music business consultant. He is the author of seven critically acclaimed books, including Billy Joel, Dirty Little Secrets of the Record Business, Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright, and Turning Points of Rock and Roll.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 358 pages
• Publisher: Schirmer Trade Books; 2nd edition (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825672694
• ISBN-13: 978-0825672699
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,451,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 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.

19 of 21 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
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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:

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

By 

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