The members of Creedence Clearwater Revival are heading back to court, with John Fogerty being targeted by his former bandmates. Doug Clifford, Stu Cook, and the widow of Tom Fogerty are suing over an alleged breach of a contract signed by John in 2001 regarding the use of CCR trademarks.
The lawsuit apparently stems from some negative comments that John Fogerty made over Clifford and Cook’s tour as Creedence Clearwater Revisited. In an interview (via Ultimate Classic Rock), Fogerty described the use of the band name as “a sort of sacrilege.” “When the band broke up, I never had any problem not trying to abscond with the name Creedence as a solo artist,” he added. “I just think that thing is from a certain time and it is untouchable, unless everybody is there.”
Clifford and Cook apparently took issue with this, especially since Fogerty has been touring with shows focusing on Creedence’s 1969-era albums. This allegedly prompted the lawsuit, with the other members claiming that Fogerty breached the terms of their last legal settlement in 2001.
In a statement issued this morning, Fogerty expressed surprise at the impending suit, but he remained defiant. “The people who come to my shows know they will hear me sing and play the songs I wrote and recorded over the past four decades of my career,” Fogerty said. “No lawyers, lawsuits, or angry ex-band members will stop me ever again from singing my songs. I am going to continue to tour and play all my songs every single night I am out on the road.”
Would like to see that original contract. Not what I knew to be in it.
Clifford and Cook are free to write their own songs and sing them as often as they want. As long as they keep touring and making money off songs they had little if any part in writing, they are in effect leeches and should count their blessings that they are able to make a living as musicians. Credence Clearwater Revisited is glorified karaoke, so shut up and cash your check.
[…] and another chapter in the ongoing legal battles came this week when Stu Cook and Doug Clifford filed a lawsuit against Fogerty. Fogerty responded in kind, and now Cook and Clifford are explaining the reasons […]