Joe Rogan Experience #2485 - John Fogerty
In a Nutshell
John Fogerty recounts his Creedence Clearwater Revival triumphs, including hits like **Fortunate Son** and **Proud Mary**, born from Vietnam-era anger and raw creativity, alongside brutal music industry exploitation by Fantasy Records' Saul Zaentz—offshore tax scams wiping out savings, lawsuits claiming his own sound, and band betrayals fueling decades of bitterness and alcohol abuse. He shares songwriting epiphanies (muse as radio signal, joyful "corniness" in **Centerfield**), early influences like Elvis and Stephen Foster, and personal redemption through wife Julie, faith in the Golden Rule, and now thriving on tour with his kids. Key takeaway: authentic creativity trumps business hyenas; persistence honors the muse, protecting artists' rights to their style while living kindly yields karma over greed.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Joe Rogan welcomes John Fogerty, offers water and coffee.
Joe mentions reading that John got out of the army by smoking weed and not eating. John clarifies: in 1967-68, he lost weight to 129 pounds on a starvation protest diet. Before a pre-induction physical with an army doctor, friends gave him joints; he smoked them in a cigarette while crossing the Bay Bridge. Essentially some truth to the story.
Joe praises John's career as one of the main voices of rock and roll in America with gigantic hits. Fortunate Son and Bad Moon Rising are popular UFC walkout songs. John signed his first record contract around age 19, unenforceable as he was under 21.
John was one of the first rock artists writing popular songs about getting screwed by the record business, e.g., Zance Can't Dance (changed to Vance Can't Dance). Sold half a million as Zance; Warner Brothers made him change it to settle with the person named Zance.
John got sued for sounding like himself on The Old Man Down the Road from his comeback album Centerfield after leaving Fantasy Records owned by Saul Zaentz. Bass player Stu (from CCR) told Zaentz John was ripping off CCR, prompting the suit for $144 million. John taught Stu every note he played in CCR; John invented the arrangements. Trial lasted years, cost enormous money; John prevailed. It's a blessing he won, protecting artists' right to their style.
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