Music Diary – 16th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 16th October!

On the 16th October 1972 one of the most popular bands of that time called it a day: The American rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival aka CCR announced the break up. John Fogerty (lead vocalist, lead guitarist and primary songwriter), rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty (John’s brother), bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford founded the band undet the moniker The Blue Velvets in 1960. After signed to Fantasy Records they changed the name firstly into The Golliwogs and in December 1967 the quartet called itself Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR).

One year later the self titled debut album was released which features the two covers
„I put a Spell on you“ (written by Screamin‘ Jay Hawkins) and „Susie Q“ (by Dale Hawkins). In 1969 three studio LPs followed: The first one was „Bayou Country„. The Single „Proud Mary“ reached the second place on the charts and with the heavy rotation on the US radios the fanbase became bigger and bigger. Then „Green River“ with the Single outtakes „Lodi“ and „Bad Moon Rising“ entered the charts worldwide. And finally „Willy and the Poor Boys“ hit the market before 1970 get started. And two more hit Singles follwed: „Fortunate Son“ and „Down on the Corner„.

In April 1970 the first Europe tour happened followed by the fifth CCR studio album „Cosmo’s Factory„, which features more hits like „Run through the Jungle„, „Who’ll stop the Rain“ and the cover version of „I heard it throught the Grapevine„. In December the next LP was released: „Pendulum„. The Single „Have you ever seen the Rain“ charted also worldwide and became No. 1 in Canada. Afer the recording sessions, Tom Fogerty left the band. This was the beginning of the end: On the 11th April 1972 the last studio album „Mardi Gras“ featuring „Sweet Hitch-Hiker“ was released by CCR. The LP received only poor reception and after a two-month tour through the USA, Fantasy Records and Creedence Clearwater Revival officially announced the disbanding of the band on the 16th October 1972.

The Fogerty brothers started their solo careers while Stu Cook and Doug Clifford played with the Don Harrison Band. In 1995 Cook and Clifford started as Creedence Clearwater Revisited.

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Music Diary – 29th September

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 29th September!

Jerry Lee Lewis

On the 29th September 1935 Mr. Jerry Lee Lewis aka „The Killer“ was born in the town of Ferriday, Louisiana (USA). The singer and pianist is considered as one of the greatest Rock’n’Roll musicians in history. At the age of 21, Jerry Lee Lewis traveled for an audition to the legendary Sun Records studios in Memphis, Tennessee. Jack Clement recorded the cover version of „Crazy Arms“ (formerly recorded by Ray Price) and Lewis‘ own composition „End of the Road“. One month later, in December 1956, Lewis started his solo career and became also a sessions musician for Sun Records. His unique piano playing can be heard on many recordings for artits like Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

On the 4th December 1956 the historic jam session featuring Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins,  Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis happened. Label owner Sam Phillips recorded it. 25 year later is was available titled as „Million Dollar Quartet„.

In 1957 Lewis recorded his first hit „Whole Lotta Shakin‘ Going On„. And more chartbreaker followed like „Great Balls of Fire„, „Breathless“ and „High School Confidential„. After his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin Myra in the same year, his popularity was quickly gone due to this scandal. He still recorded all over the years and especially his wild live performances in the sixties became legendary. The live album „Live at the Star Club, Hamburg“ (1964) proves this: „‚Live at the Star Club‘ is extraordinary, the purest, hardest rock & roll ever committed to record“, so music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine (Allmusic).

In 1989 the biographical movie „Great Balls of Fire!“ directed by Jim McBride with Dennis Quaid starring as „The Killer“ and Winona Ryder as Myra was released. For the soundtrack Jerry Lee Lewis re-recorded his songs.

After the induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986), Lewis toured again in 1998 with the two Rock’n’Roll legends Chuck Berry and Little Richard. In 2006 the album „Last Man Standing “ was released. Three years later the record „Mean Old Man“ hit the stores. For the 18 new songs he worked together with people like Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, Mick Jagger, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Keith Richards, Kid Rock, Slash, Ringo Starr, Robbie Robertson and Ronnie Wood – just to name a few.

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