American rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival, also known as Creedence and CCR, was founded in El Cerrito, California. John Fogerty, the band’s original lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter was joined by his brother Tom Fogerty, who played rhythm guitar, bassist Stu Cook, and drummer Doug Clifford.
Before joining Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1967, these musicians had performed together since 1959, first as the Blue Velvets and then as the Golliwogs.
How many number 1 hits did CCR have?
Creedence Clearwater Revival produced one of the most incredible runs of singles in American musical history in only a few short years, from “Proud Mary” to “Green River,” “Bad Moon Rising,” and “Traveling Band.”
According to reports, in America, they even outsold the Beatles. Despite their popularity with those John Fogerty compositions, CCR never achieved the top place on the Hot 100. They still maintain the record for the most No. 2s without a No. 1 on the Billboard chart thanks to all of those No. 2 songs.
It’s true that CCR had the unfortunate situation of having to compete with chart giants like Paul Simon and Sly Stone in the late 1960s. However, there were occasions when they were hindered by today’s barely remembered No. 1 singles.
We dissect the series of events that consigned CCR—a potential first-ballot Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band—to the charts’ perpetual runner-up position in this episode of Hit Parade.
