John Fogerty will be 80: a life between fame and legal disputes!

John Fogerty will be 80: a life between fame and legal disputes!

San Francisco, USA - Today John Fogerty, the legendary front man and main songwriter of the band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), celebrates his 80th birthday. Fogerty was born on May 28, 1945 in Berkeley, California, and is one of the most influential musicians of his time. CCR, which was active between 1968 and 1972, had great success with a variety of hits such as "Proud Mary", "Bad Moon Rising" and "Fortunate Son". The band combined various music styles, from rock to country to blues, and is known for its strong socially critical content, especially with regard to the Vietnam War.

John Fogerty was not only the singer, but also the creative head behind CCR's success. Despite the fame, however, his career had dark sides. For years he fought against an unfair gag contract with Saul Zaentz, the owner of the Fantasy Records Label, who presented him with great financial challenges. This contract led Fogerty to lose the rights to his own songs, which prevented him from playing his music after the band was dissolved.

conflicts and retirement

The problems between Fogerty and Zaentz lasted for decades. The conflicts included complaints and legal disputes that Fogerty also addressed on his comeback album "Centerfield" from 1985. The titles "Mr. Greed" and "Zanz Can’t Dance", the latter were given an answer to the legal disputes with Zaentz. This argument was so important that Fogerty changed the title in "Vanz Can’t Dance" when Zaentz complained about defamation.

A turning point in Fogerty's career came in 2023 when he announced in Berlin that he had received the rights to his songs, which was an immense relief for him. This ended a 50-year legal dispute that had shaped his musical career. Fogerty's solo career that started in 1973 was initially heavily limited due to these legal restrictions.

Saul Zaentz and his legacy

In the context of this argument, the recent death of Saul Zaentz is important. Zaentz died in his home in San Francisco at the age of 92. He was not only known as a music producer, but also for his success in the film industry, where he received Oscars for films such as "One Flew over the cuckoo nest" and "Amadeus". After Zaentz 'death, Fogerty posted a video of "Vanz Can’t Dance" on his official social media channels, which can be interpreted as a symbolic act of his personal triumph.

Overall, Fogerty has left a lasting impression through his music and personal fights. He was not only included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but is also known for his political beliefs, which made him support many democratic candidates. With hits that shaped the cultural landscape of the United States, and a life story full of ups and downs, John Fogerty is now one of the most important artists of his generation.