Introduction to a New Album
John Fogerty, the legendary musician, is set to release a new album featuring re-recorded versions of some of the most iconic songs by Creedence Clearwater Revival. The album, titled Inheritance: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years, is scheduled to be released on August 22nd by Concord.
The Album Announcement
Fogerty made the official announcement during his 80th birthday concert at the Beacon Theater in New York. The album, Legacy, will include 20 songs, featuring famous tracks such as "Bad Moon Rising", "Fortunate Son", "Down on the Corner", and "Proud Mary". All the songs are referred to as "John’s version", a nod to Taylor Swift’s "Taylor’s version" nickname, which she used when re-recording her songs due to a controversy over the sale of her catalog.
Background and Inspiration
Fogerty has been involved in one of the most notorious copyright struggles in music history, fighting to regain control of his catalog from Saul Zaentz, the owner of CCR’s record label Fantasy Record. After decades of struggle, Fogerty finally concluded a contract with Concord, the current owner of Fantasy Records, in 2023, and bought a majority stake in CCR’s publishing catalog. While some artists have re-recorded their music to undermine their labels, Fogerty’s new recordings are a celebration of his regained control over his music.
The Making of the Album
The album was produced by Fogerty and his son Shane Fogerty, with Julie Fogerty, John’s wife and manager, serving as the executive producer. Shane and his brother Tyler Fogerty both play on the album, along with other musicians such as Matt Chamberlain, Bob Malone, Bob Glaub, and Rob Stone. According to Fogerty, "For most of my life, I didn’t have the songs that I had written. To get them back changes everything. Legacy is my way to celebrate this – to play these songs on my terms, with the people I love."
A Celebration of Regained Control
Fogerty’s wife, Julie, expressed her joy and relief at her husband’s regained control over his music, saying, "I knew firsthand how much it meant for John to get his publisher back. It’s been so happy and beautiful since this happened to him. This is a celebration of the life of his life. It’s the biggest party for the good guy/artist who wins." The album is a testament to Fogerty’s perseverance and dedication to his craft, and a celebration of his regained control over his iconic music.
