When an individual works hard and makes something beautiful, you can bet the grifters, energy vampires and leeches will appear and find a way to steal it.
John Fogerty seems to be a decent man but it is his autobiography. He doesn't back away from his human frailties or bad judgement in life. He got screwed and had to write his history. He was an intense perfectionist, something that would drive his workmates mad, I bet. He dragged them along, long time friends from high school and his brother, and they betrayed him.
Fortunate Son is a good title, maybe more appropriate for Geo. W Bush's book. He's too kind to title it It's DaJooze. A fervent and driven lover or rock and roll growing up with a single working mother and 4 brothers in El Cerrito, CA in the late 50's and early 60's, John put together a band and worked feverishly learning his guitar and writing songs. Success is never quick but when it came, he and Creedence Clearwater Revival were practiced, polished and ready to rock. But these young men sure didn't know the music business.
He visited Fantasy Records in San Francisco, worked in the recording studio, released Susie Q which became a great hit. For whatever reason, drunk with youthful exuberance, they signed a contract with owner Saul Zaentz. Thus became decades of destruction of his music, his family, his band, his self esteem and his bountiful creativity. He didn't own his songs and was expected to produce great material more than one man could. Legally, Zaentz had these goys by the balls. I'm so glad it didn't kill John. It's a wonderful will of determination, spiritual rebuilding and a great comeback story. An honest hard working man getting screwed, out living his tormentors and raising back up his talent level to produce more great music. It wasn't easy.
I have a deeper admiration for Mr. Fogerty and his Great American Songbook. In fact, I'm going to pick up my guitar and learn a few. No royalties, no bitterness, I'll sing loud and play with joy.
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