JOHN FOGERTY HAS performed overseas many times throughout his career. But there is a mythical quality to his first tour of Europe in 1970 with his band, Creedence Clearwater Revival. In particular, the band’s April 14, 1970, show at the Royal Albert Hall is one of his favorite memories.
At the time, CCR — which also included John’s brother (and rhythm guitarist) Tom Fogerty, bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford — were speedily making a name for themselves, already with five Top 10 singles in their first year together. Hits including “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Green River,” “Fortunate Son” and “Down on the Corner” showed off the band’s raw, high-energy, no-compromise rock ’n’ roll and tight chemistry.
The attention and success while touring the U.S. earned the band their first European tour. One of the shows was at the Royal Albert Hall, one of London’s most respected venues. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones were among the British groups that had performed there, and when CCR performed, it was just days after the Beatles had announced their breakup.
“I was writing songs like a maniac,” Fogerty says. “By the time we got to Europe, there’d already been four or five hit singles, meaning in most cases, both sides, and also maybe three or four albums by then. It was like a whirlwind… Getting to play the Albert Hall was certainly an honor. That was at a time when the band was still mostly positive and happy to be there. And all the energy was in a positive direction.”
This past September, Craft, as well as a companion documentary and concert film,.
