John Fogerty is one of the most influential and successful rock musicians of all time. He is best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), the band that dominated the charts in the late 1960s and early 1970s with hits like “Proud Mary”, “Bad Moon Rising”, “Fortunate Son”, and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”. He is also a successful solo artist, with albums like Centerfield, Revival, and Fogerty’s Factory. But how much is John Fogerty worth, and how did he earn his wealth? In this article, we will explore John Fogerty’s net worth, his music career, his legal battles, and his personal life.
John Fogerty’s Early Life and Music Career
John Cameron Fogerty was born on May 28, 1945, in Berkeley, California. He grew up in El Cerrito, California, where he formed a band with his brother Tom and two classmates, Stu Cook and Doug Clifford. The band was originally called the Blue Velvets, then the Golliwogs, before changing their name to Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1967. The name was inspired by a friend named Credence Nuball, a beer brand called Clearwater, and a revival of their musical spirit.
CCR signed with Fantasy Records, a label that specialized in jazz and comedy. The band soon became the label’s biggest act, selling millions of records and earning critical acclaim for their distinctive blend of rock, country, blues, and swamp boogie. John Fogerty was the creative force behind CCR, writing most of their songs, producing their albums, and playing lead guitar and vocals. He also had a distinctive voice that conveyed passion and authenticity.
CCR had nine top-ten singles and eight gold albums between 1968 and 1972. Some of their most popular songs include “Who’ll Stop the Rain”, “Down on the Corner”, “Green River”, “Up Around the Bend”, “Lookin’ Out My Back Door”, and “Travelin’ Band”. They also performed at the legendary Woodstock festival in 1969, although their performance was not included in the film or soundtrack due to Fogerty’s dissatisfaction with it.
John Fogerty’s Legal Battles and Solo Career
Despite their success, CCR faced many problems within the band and with their label. John Fogerty had a strained relationship with his brother Tom, who left the band in 1971. He also clashed with Cook and Clifford over creative control and royalties. He also felt exploited by Fantasy Records, which owned the rights to his songs and paid him a low royalty rate. He tried to renegotiate his contract with Fantasy’s owner, Saul Zaentz, but was unsuccessful.
In 1972, CCR broke up after releasing their final album, Mardi Gras. John Fogerty embarked on a solo career, but faced more legal troubles. In 1973, he released an album of country covers under the name The Blue Ridge Rangers, which did not sell well. In 1975, he released a self-titled album that featured the hit single “Rockin’ All Over the World”. However, he was sued by Zaentz for breach of contract, claiming that he owed Fantasy more albums. The lawsuit dragged on for years and prevented Fogerty from recording new music.
In 1985, Fogerty finally returned with a new album called Centerfield, which was a huge success. It featured the hit singles “The Old Man Down the Road”, “Rock and Roll Girls”, and “Centerfield”. The latter song became an anthem for baseball fans and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010. However, Fogerty faced another lawsuit from Zaentz, who accused him of plagiarizing himself by copying the melody of CCR’s “Run Through the Jungle” in “The Old Man Down the Road”. Fogerty won the case after proving that he owned both songs.
In 1986, Fogerty released another album called Eye of the Zombie, which was less successful than Centerfield. He then went into a hiatus for over a decade. In 1997, he released Blue Moon Swamp, which won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. In 1998, he performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for CCR, but did not play with his former bandmates. Instead, he played with Bruce Springsteen and other guests.
In 2004, Fogerty released Deja Vu All Over Again, which featured songs about the Iraq War and other political issues. In 2007, he released Revival, which marked his return to Fantasy Records after Zaentz sold it to Concord Music Group. The album featured new versions of some of his old songs as well as new ones. In 2009, he released The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again, a sequel to his 1973 album. In 2013, he released Wrote a Song for Everyone, a collaboration album with various artists, including Foo Fighters, Bob Seger, Brad Paisley, and Miranda Lambert.
In 2019, Fogerty celebrated 50 years in music with a worldwide tour called “My 50 Year Trip”. He also released a live album called 50 Year Trip: Live at Red Rocks, which featured songs from his performance at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. In 2020, he released Fogerty’s Factory, an album of home recordings with his family during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he released a new song called “Weeping in the Promised Land”, which addressed the social and political issues of the time.
John Fogerty’s Personal Life and Net Worth
John Fogerty has been married twice. His first wife was Martha Paiz, whom he married in 1965 and divorced in 1984. They had three children: Josh, Sean, and Kody. His second wife is Julie Kramer, whom he married in 1991. They have two children: Shane and Kelsy. Fogerty’s sons are also musicians and have performed with him on stage and on record.
John Fogerty’s net worth is estimated to be $90 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He earned his fortune from his music career as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He also owns several properties, including a mansion in Beverly Hills and a ranch in Thousand Oaks. He is also an avid collector of guitars and cars.
John Fogerty is a rock legend who has made his mark on the music industry with his distinctive style and voice. He has overcome many challenges and obstacles in his career and has remained relevant and influential for over five decades. He is a true American treasure and an inspiration to many fans and musicians.
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