For the first time in decades, John Fogarty says he would consider reuniting Credence Clearwater Revival.

John, 68, has just released a new album, Wrote A Song For Everyone, and, more importantly, finally said he’d be interested in a CCR re-union.

The split was so bitter, when CCR made The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, John refused to even appear with the band, much less play. It was a sad situation for one of the most celebrated rock bands of the counterculture era.

CCR sold 26 million albums in the United States alone and is ranked No. 82 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest artists of all time.

John Fogarty Through the Years

Hits include “Bad Moon Rising,” “Fortunate Son,” “Down On The Corner,” “Have You Ever Seen The Rain,” and, the double-sided hit “Travelin’ Band/Who’ll Stop The Rain.”

The band also has the odd distinction of having the most No. 2 singles on the Billboard charts without ever having had a No. 1.

But success took its toll. Tom quit in 1971, following a series of disputes with John over its direction. The band’s final album, Mardi Gras, was released in April 1972, featuring songs written by Fogerty and band members Stu Cook and Doug Clifford.

John also quarreled with Saul Zaentz (by all reports, was and is a royal pain the ass), who headed his label Fantasy Records.

Fogarty went on to release a series of uneven solo albums, but nothing came even remotely close to his success with CCR. The new album is one of the guest duet variety and is actually, pretty terrific. A re-working of “Fortunate Son” with the Foo Fighters is excellent.

But his interest in a CCR reunion strikes me as “too little, too late.” Honestly, I think he is in the minority on getting back together.

Fogarty’s a legend, but he’s pissed off many a rock critic and fan alike. A CCR reunion ten or so years ago would have worked and maybe even re-ignited that old CCR fire. Right now, it shouldn’t happen at all.

Names in the News

James Edstrom, Tony DeStefano, Tom & Lisa Cuddy, Brett Winterble, Keith Girard, Michael Zilkha, Patrick McMullan, Michael Musto,  Warren Schatz, Angelo Barbarro, Vinny Rich, Adam Pollack, Dave Novik, Jerry Lembo, Ken Dashow, cfs.