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Title: Bad Moon Rising: The Unofficial History of Creedence Clearwater Revival by Hank Bordowitz ISBN: 0825672694 Publisher: Schirmer Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.74
Rating: 4
Summary: Very Infomative
Comment: This book gives a badly neede history of one of the greatest bands of the modern rock n roll era, Creedence Clearwater Revival. Although the book is somewhat slanted against John Fogerty, it gives some accurate interviews behind the scenes of a fine band that unfortunately broke up before it had to. Very often rock bands do not last as egos are very fragile and there is so much pressure to keep on performing. This is fully detailed in this biography. The writing style of the author does not bother me as it did others who reviewed this work. This is a good choice for those who want to understand what happened behind the scenes of Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Rating: 5
Summary: Just When You Thought it Was Safe to Start Chooglin' Again!
Comment: This is a thorough, outstanding work of investigation. It unfolds a story that's bound to surprise and astonish all serious Creedence fans no matter how well informed they may think they are. CCR is the only major Rock 'n Roll act that all but vanished withouth a single explanation after just three years of hits in a row. Its leader John Fogerty spent the most part of the next 20 years in seclusion marred by litigation. In spite of all that, Creedence music has reached mythic proportions. This book says why. After finishing it, you'll never listen to CCR in the same way anymore. Be prepared!
Rating: 4
Summary: Solid and interesting look at CCR's tangled history
Comment: 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.
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Title: Up Around the Bend: An Oral History (For the Record Series Number 7) by Craig Werner, Dave Mash, Dave Marsh, Craig Warner ISBN: 0380801531 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: March, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.50 |
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