Fortunate Son

October 12, 2015
It is fitting that writingâi.e., songwritingâis the main theme of Fogerty's biography, which was penned with the same depth of feeling as his music. Fogerty (b. 1945) has written some of the finest rock 'n' roll songs in the American canon, including "Proud Mary," "Bad Moon Rising," and the titular "Fortunate Son." Here, he recounts his life chronologicallyâfrom his introduction to Stephen Foster's work as a child to the writing of his megahits for Creedence Clearwater Revival starting in the late 1960s. Musicians will revel in the details about chord and tempo changes, while other fans will be interested in the stories behind the CCR classics. Fogerty carefully documents the personal, financial, and legal issues with his band mates and record label that left Fogerty without the rights to his songs and so depressed he was unable to write new music for years. Arguing that his CCR band mates sold him out and explaining why he didn't play with them at the band's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Fogerty slings just enough dirt to keep the courtroom and tabloid tales interesting; but he mostly focuses on his own battles with alcohol and depression. Interestingly, his wife Julie, whom he credits with getting his life and career back on track, contributes sections towards the end of the book, portraying Fogerty as others saw him. But this isn't just an account of one musician's ups and downs with art and life; Fogerty has created a solid study of popular music over the past 50 years.