Bad Moon Rising

November 2, 1998
Departing from the psychedelic sound that dominated the airwaves in the late 1960s, California's Creedence Clearwater Revival churned out a string of roots-rock hits so critically acclaimed and commercially successful that, after the Beatles broke up in 1971, CCR was hailed by some as the world's most popular band. But within a year, CCR too had disbanded, victims of the internecine squabbles and exploitative record deals that have destroyed all too many rock groups. Bordowitz, a contributor to such magazines as Spin and Guitar Player, charts the band's lowly beginnings as a quartet of high school pals struggling to make ends meet on the northern California club circuit, their meteoric rise to the top of the charts following the release of their debut album in 1968 and the conflicts over creative control--especially between frontman John Fogerty and his brother and rhythm guitarist, Tom--that led to their breakup. Bordowitz provides evenhanded treatment of highly charged issues such as the often bitter sibling rivalry and the band's protracted legal wranglings with their record company, as well as insights into the songcraft behind their biggest hits, including "Proud Mary," "Bad Moon Rising" and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain." An unabashed fan, Bordowitz ably interweaves other critical assessments of the group's output over the years, persuasively demonstrating that CCR has earned their reputation as one of the most important bands in rock history. Photos. Agents, Fran Liebowitz and Jason Weiner. Foreign rights, Jennifer Hayes.