This is the first critical biography to explore John Fogerty's life and his music. When inducting Creedence Clearwater Revival into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, Bruce Springsteen referred to the "music’s power and its simplicity… [its] beauty and poetry and a sense of the darkness of events and of history, of an American tradition shot through with pride, fear, and paranoia." This book investigates those aspects and more of Fogerty’s songs and life: his Americanism, his determined individualism, and unyielding musical vision which led to conflicts with his band, isolation from his family, constant legal battles, and some of the greatest songs of the 20th century.
1. The Shaping of John Fogerty’s Imagination 2. The Musical Development of John Fogerty 3. CCR and San Francisco 4. From San Francisco to the Bayou 5. "Proud Mary" and the Aesthetics of John Fogerty 6. Artistic Maturity, Part I—Jeremiads, Political Commentaries and Satires 7. Artistic Maturity, Part II—Character Portraits and a Green World 8. Cosmo’s Factory, Pendulum, and The End 9. John Fogerty’s Blue Ridge Rangers—Escape into the Green World of the Studio 10. The 1980s Comeback of John Fogerty 11. Another Comeback and Into the New Millennium 12. Still Chooglin’
Biography
Thomas M. Kitts, Ph.D.
St. John’s University, NY
"Through his patience, understanding, and a preference for seeing the good in people, Kitts has crafted a thoughtful study of Fogerty and his musical/personal development. Others may have thrown up their hands in resignation at the singer/songwriter's conduct, remarkable immaturity, and his at times self-destructive approach to professional relationships. Kitts, however, leaves his reader with a compassionate sense of the "guitar hero" who gave us such wonderful songs and memories."
- James Martens, Independent Scholar/Red Deer College (retired), Alberta, Canada
"John Fogerty: American Son is well-written and accessible, giving it the potential to appeal to a wide audience. (...) those looking to learn about Fogerty will find many an item of interest."
- Steven Gil, University of Queensland, Australia
