Creedence Clearwater Revival

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  • Year:
    1993
  • Inducted by:
    Bruce Springsteen
  • Category:
    Performers

Introduction

Creedence Clearwater Revival cranked out hit after hit, proving themselves to be a timeless talent with enduring popularity.

At a time when prog rock dominated the San Francisco music scene, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s roots rock was an offbeat standout. Their country sensibility made them possibly the most popular band in America, with nine Top Ten singles in three years.

Hall of Fame Essay

1993

Bob Merlis

The origin of America’s greatest authentic rock & roll band begins in 1959, the penultimate year of the Eisenhower  era. In El Cerrito, California, a lower mid­dle-class suburb in San Francisco’s East Bay, eighth-graders John Fogerty, Stu Cook and Doug Clifford, like so many other rock & roll crazed kids, took mat­ters into their own hands and did the natural thing: they formed a band. 

The repertoire of these 13-year-old rockers, the Blue Velvets, was virtually pre-ordained — with nobody will­ing to handle vocals, guitarist Fogerty, drummer Clifford and bassman Cook covered the instrumental sounds of Sandy Nelson, Duane Eddy, Bill Doggett and, of course, the Ventures.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program Cover 1993
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Creedence Clearwater Revival Quote Image
I stand here tonight still envious of that music’s power and its simplicity.
Bruce Springsteen

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Gallery

Creedence Clearwater Revival Gallery

Photography: Kevin Mazur, WireImage