Bad Moon Rising: The Unauthorized History of Creedence Clearwater Revival

by Hank Bordowitz

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.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, History

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billed as the "Unathorized history." I imagine that it would have been mostly John Fogerty who would not have approved it. The book seemed generally very respectful of Creedence Clearwater Revival, although John Fogerty comes off as very ego driven and rigid. The book starts out with the phrase "The saddest story in Rock and Roll," and it is indeed fairly sad how ego drove these talented musicians apart. CCR was only in action about 3 years under that name, although they played under other names before that. All their great hits come from that few year period, though. I enjoyed the book quite a bit and stayed up later than I should have reading it, so that is a pretty good recommendation right there.

[a.t.m. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The operation was a success, but, the patient died.

The operation was a success, but, the patient died.

Being a lifelong fan of CCR I always wondered what went so terribly wrong with the band, that culminated with the fiasco at the band's induction into the music hall of fame. The history of the band is superbly written and for all fans, painful to read. The genius of JF is undeniable , but, without the other three band members we wouldn't have had CCR. Everyone got cheated, especially, the fans in the end. Great book, I highly recommend.

[Ron Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great band! And what a sad story! 3 guys that start off as kids in junior high school, joined by an older brother - all with the attitude that "we are going to make it!" It takes a long time, many years, but eventually they do succeed - for a short time, they are the top band in America, and maybe the world! But then it is over almost before it's begun. Ego's, bad business decision, it all falls apart, and 3 of the guys become estranged from the leader, John Fogerty. Even when the older brother, Tom Fogerty dies, there is no peace between the members. But what great music they made during their brief time at the top. So great that their hits cd is still regularly a top catalog seller year after year. Yes, John Fogerty does have a book out now, if you are only interested in his take on things. Hank Bordowitz does us fans a great service by bringing the other band members into the story. Fogerty's side of the story is presented, but we also hear from Stu Cook and Doug Clifford, who continue these days as Creedence Clearwater Revisited. I found the chapters about Tom's death to be the saddest; John is a great singer, songwriter and guitarist, but the fact that he and Tom were not able to reconcile in any meaningful way is a real heartbreaker. John never gave Tom the credit he deserved for helping to get the band started, writing the early songs with John, and making the financial contributions that enabled the guys to become full time musicians. If John had been able to let go of some of his stubbornness, and treat his brother more respectfully, CCR may have been able to continue for a few more years. This book is essential reading for all fans of CCR.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and exhaustively researched book on maybe the greatest American rock and roll band, Creedence Clearwater Revival. It covers from the groups days in Jr. High to John Fogerty's "Blue Moon Swamp" release. The Creedence years take up the first half and the second half is concerned with the "lawsuit years." John Fogerty comes off as a pretty big jerk in this book and I've got a problem with that. John Fogerty WAS Creedence. I'll give John the benefit of the doubt on this one. If you have any interest in this group at all, you should read this book.

[David W Musal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than I expected, but

This book was better than I expected, but I am not a big fan of 'unauthorized' biographies.
So why did I buy it? Well because CCR (the original) is one of my all time favorite groups; and John Fogerty is why CCR is a legendary band. Tom, Stu and Doug were a good 'rhythm section' (their own words), but John could have taken Tom and two strangers who were aspiring musicians and probably gotten the same results, music wise.
Their story is not unique in the fact that they signed a draconian contract with one of the most mendacious people on the face of the earth. What is unique and sad is that only John had the spine to try and get it redone in a manner much more favorable to the entire group.
Given John's need to try and control the group, and their right to have at least some say in the use of their music, he made many mistakes in his uphill battle with Zaentz. But he got precious little backing from the other three. I would have thought that after having a Million $ plus stolen from each of them, they would have wanted whatever revenge they could take on Zaentz. Instead they threw in WITH the guy who had financially 'r***d' them and their families.
No wonder John became so bitter over the years. With 'friends' like that, who needs enemies; especially since John was the main reason that CCR was so successful in their fairly short career. Without his creativity in composing and arranging and his ability to teach Stu and Doug how to actually play the music at the level that it needed to be played, CCR as we all know it would never have happened.
BTW I have seen the real and the 'fake' CCR play live, and there is no comparison. The 'fake' CCR isn't even at the same level as a decent 'cover band'

[Jack Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I speed readed this one for the forthcoming "Mardi Gras" episode of DIRTY WORK: a podcast about disappointing albums...

What, you don't know about MYYY podcast, "Dirty Work"? Really? Check it out!

https://soundcloud.com/dirtyworkthepo...

"Bad Moon Rising" is basically "The Executioner's Song" of rock biographies: the first half is all excitement and drama, the second half is lawsuits and countersuits and media politics. Hank Bordowitz's summary of CCR's actual time as a band is shockingly brief (less than half of the book, which is, umm, a biography of CCR), and his descriptions of their music and performances and recording processes are almost perfunctory. The stuff that really interests him-- the stuff that makes Creedence's story "the saddest in rock history"-- is the post-band stuff, the tragic tales of a megalomaniacal genius who refuses to reconcile with his loyal if less gifted rhythm section. I can understand why folks lose patience with Bordowitz's treatment-- it's repetitive, not very exciting, and has nothing to do with the enjoyment of, oh, "Green River"-- but I sort of admire the man's commitment to it, and how mercilessly he observes John Fogerty's own mercilessness (the chapter on Tom Fogerty's death is probably the bleakest I've ever read in a music book).

For more on this topic, please consult the DIRTY WORK PODCAST!

[Garry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy books on the back stories of bands or individual musicians for that matter. Bad moon rising reads easy an provides a balanced account of the formation, rise and premature dissolution of the most successful band in the USA between 1967-1972. Loads of memorable songs produced during that short blip on the history radar still haunt the oldies and classic rock air waves. Great and often joyful sounds. But in the background there was discontent. Egos and self-righteousness abounded, families and friendships were shattered. Law suits replaced music as CCR's principal product. In the end it is a sad tale. Bitterness over real and/or perceived wrongs prevails. I still love the music but I found John Fogerty to be a callous, bitter, self-righteous control freak.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bad Moon Rising: The Unofficial History of Creedence Clearwater Revival by Hank Bordowitz (Music Sales Corporation 2002) (780.92) is just what it says. No wonder this band peaked and then disappeared! No one in the band except John Fogarty had any musical talent - the other three guys just played exactly what John showed them. Even worse than the band's talent level was their ineptitude at conducting business. Saul Zaentz (Fantasy Records) screwed them royally, but Creedence got no worse than Capricorn Records gave to the Allman Brothers. My rating: 7/10, finished 5/19/11.

[Chris Cowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty terrible, but an extra star because CCR are 2nd only to the Stones in my pantheon of rock bands of their era. 6 flawless LPs in 3 years, so I'm kind-of interested to read anything about this wonderful band. However, the book gives zero insight into the people or the music, just flat and dull reporting of what happened when, mostly filled out with quotes from various non-entity journos of the time. Very poor, but what a band

[Wayne Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What well written and well researched book. To me it seem like a great place to start in my Creedence research. I highly recommend this book if you are a Creedence fan. The best part is you hear these amazing songs in your head as you're reading the book.

[J.R. Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

We can hear John Fogerty's side of the story everywhere. The guy is a genius. This book presents other sides of the story of Creedence. Arguably, they were the best band America had, and we'll never see another like 'em.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Fogerty is simultaneously a musical genius and a terrible person! Thorough book though...

[Kiof · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should be called Bash Fogerty by the Other Two(I know not clever, but still). For some reason, I think he's justified in his actions being that he wrote every good song they ever did. I need to find one more interest, I'm really scraping the bottom o' the barrel with these rock books...

[Linda Cardott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!
If you enjoy music, in particular Rock N Roll Bad Moon Rising is a must read.
Well written, chronicles Creedence Clearwater Revival for young friends through their careers, marriages and life's ups and downs.
I truly enjoyed the stories of creating the songs and legacy of CCR.

[Cooper Renner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe a little more detailed than most of us want, but still full of information on the men who made up one of the USA’s most popular and accomplished bands of the 20th century.

[Vicki Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the updated edition of this book with a different cover photograph of the band. The subtitle is “The Unauthorized History of Creedence Clearwater Revival.” This edition covers developments through 2006. It’s well researched and told with enough detachment to allow the reader to draw his or her own conclusions and opinions. An important book for Creedence fans, no matter when you fell in love with the music. I have been a CCR fan since 1968 and enjoyed most of John Fogerty’s solo work. I especially enjoyed reading statements from family members of the band as well as Russ Gary and Jake Rohrer who worked with CCR.

[Kenzie Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

One-sided piece of trash that paints John Fogerty with a spiked tail and two horns on his head. Don’t waste your time with this one!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like a detailed Wikipedia article.

[Alison Munzer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me 4+ years to finish this book (ie it was a slog)

[EspReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the older hardcover edition. This book just feels dated and thus superficial. I don't think the author dug very hard, relying on work published by others.

[Damon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Sad story. You root for Fogerty in the beginning but not so much in the end.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The saddest story in rock & roll"...cautionary tale about toxicity of jealousy, greed, and the consequences of refusing to forgive.

[Weston · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is fine but it turns out CCR is a pretty boring band to read about despite their great music. The last 2/3rds you learn John Fogerty is incredibly litigious, spiteful, and miserable.