The Other Fogerty

When you think of Creedence Clearwater Revival, you probably think of John Fogerty and his distinctive voice belting out hits like “Fortunate Son” and “Proud Mary.” But John wasn’t the only Fogerty in CCR. Today, on what would have been his 71st birthday, we’re remembering John’s older brother and one-time bandmate by listening to a few of our favorite Tom Fogerty songs.

Walking on the Water was the only Tom-penned song that Creedence recorded, though the elder Fogerty wrote plenty. In early incarnations of the band, Tom sang lead vocals. But by 1968, the line-up had changed: John had become the lead vocalist and lead songwriter. Perhaps due to this lack of recognition of his writing and singing, Tom left the band not long after.

Goodbye Media Man was Fogerty's first single after going solo in 1971.

Life is But a Dream was a single from the first of three albums Fogerty recorded with his new band, Ruby.

Joyful Resurrection on Tom’s 1974 album Zephyr National gave us a Creedence Clearwater Revival of sorts – though in the studio only. John Fogerty recorded his parts separately, thanks to his strained relationships with his former bandmates.

The band would reunite on stage for the last time at Tom’s wedding in 1980, but sadly there would be no more CCR reunions. On September 6, 1990, Tom Fogerty died of AIDS, having contracted HIV through a blood transfusion. All these years later, he's still missed and loved by his fans.

Written by Linnea Crowther