Tom Fogerty
Encyclopedia
Thomas Richard "Tom" Fogerty (November 9, 1941 – September 6, 1990) was an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist in Creedence Clearwater Revival
and the elder brother of John Fogerty
, lead singer and lead guitarist in that band.
. He began singing rock and roll
in high school, just as his brother, John Fogerty did. He and his brother had separate groups. Tom's band, Spider Webb and the Insects (which featured Jeremy Levine of the Seeds
), signed a recording contract
with Del-Fi Records
but broke up in 1959 before releasing any records
. John's band, The Blue Velvets, began backing Tom, and eventually Tom joined John's band, and the group recorded three singles for Orchestra Records in 1961 and 1962, with Tom as lead vocalist
. In the mid 1960s, the group was called The Golliwogs and recorded with Fantasy Records
, with Tom and John sharing lead vocal duties. By 1968 the band was renamed Creedence Clearwater Revival, when John had become full-time lead singer and primary songwriter. During the few years of the life of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom sang backing vocals and wrote songs, but only one of his songs ("Walk on the Water") was recorded. This lack of opportunity, along with festering, long-standing animosity with his brother, led him to leave the band in 1971.
After leaving the band, Fogerty began performing and recording as a solo artist. His relationship with his brother John remained strained. Tom was bitter at having his contributions overlooked. In the pre-CCR days, Tom had been singer, songwriter, and, generally, manager of the act.
Tom Fogerty had minor hits like "Goodbye Media Man
" and "Joyful Resurrection".
He remained with Fantasy Records
and his 1971 solo debut album, Tom Fogerty, reached #78 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart. On the follow-up, Excalibur, Jerry Garcia
and Merl Saunders
played on the sessions. Stu Cook
and Doug Clifford
(CCR's former bass guitarist and drummer) and John Fogerty performed on the 1974 followup album, Zephyr National. The song "Joyful Resurrection" features a complete reunion of CCR though John Fogerty recorded his parts separately. Cook and Clifford also backed Tom on his second LP release of 1974 titled Myopia.
Throughout the rest of the 1970s and 1980s, Fogerty continued to record. He claimed all royalties and sued Fantasy Records; when Tom re-signed with Fantasy (effectively releasing an obligor
—Fantasy Records, the deepest pocket—of joint liability and waiver of damages to his brother, an obligee
), Fogerty lived comfortably in Scottsdale, Arizona for the remainder of his life, thanks to his Creedence royalties. He was an occasional surprise call-in guest on local radio station KSLX-FM.
At the October 1980 reception for Tom's marriage to Tricia Clapper, all four members of CCR reunited and performed for the first time in a decade, and for the final time.
of AIDS
(specifically from a tuberculosis
infection), having contracted HIV from blood transfusions for back ailments. After his death a music compilation titled The Very Best of Tom Fogerty
was released.
As a solo artist
Ruby
Other releases
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums....
and the elder brother of John Fogerty
John Fogerty
John Cameron Fogerty is an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his time with the swamp rock/roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a #1 solo recording artist. Fogerty has a rare distinction of being named on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest...
, lead singer and lead guitarist in that band.
Early life and career
Fogerty was born in Berkeley, CaliforniaBerkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
. He began singing rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
in high school, just as his brother, John Fogerty did. He and his brother had separate groups. Tom's band, Spider Webb and the Insects (which featured Jeremy Levine of the Seeds
The Seeds
The Seeds were an American rock band. The group, whose repertoire spread between garage rock and acid rock, are considered one of the pioneers of punk rock.-History:...
), signed a recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
with Del-Fi Records
Del-Fi Records
Del-Fi Records was a record label based in Hollywood, California and owned by Bob Keane. The label's first single released was no 4101 "Caravan" by Henri Rose released in 1958; however, the label was most famous for signing Ritchie Valens. Valens' first single for the label was "Come On Let's Go"...
but broke up in 1959 before releasing any records
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. John's band, The Blue Velvets, began backing Tom, and eventually Tom joined John's band, and the group recorded three singles for Orchestra Records in 1961 and 1962, with Tom as lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
. In the mid 1960s, the group was called The Golliwogs and recorded with Fantasy Records
Fantasy Records
Fantasy Records is a United States-based record label that was founded by Max and Sol Weiss in 1949 in San Francisco, California. They had previously operated a record-pressing plant called Circle Record Company before forming the Fantasy label...
, with Tom and John sharing lead vocal duties. By 1968 the band was renamed Creedence Clearwater Revival, when John had become full-time lead singer and primary songwriter. During the few years of the life of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom sang backing vocals and wrote songs, but only one of his songs ("Walk on the Water") was recorded. This lack of opportunity, along with festering, long-standing animosity with his brother, led him to leave the band in 1971.
After leaving the band, Fogerty began performing and recording as a solo artist. His relationship with his brother John remained strained. Tom was bitter at having his contributions overlooked. In the pre-CCR days, Tom had been singer, songwriter, and, generally, manager of the act.
Tom Fogerty had minor hits like "Goodbye Media Man
Goodbye Media Man
"Goodbye Media Man" is a song by former Creedence Clearwater Revival member Tom Fogerty, from his 1971 self-titled debut solo album, released on Fantasy Records. It was released as a single that same year, reaching number 103 on the pop charts...
" and "Joyful Resurrection".
He remained with Fantasy Records
Fantasy Records
Fantasy Records is a United States-based record label that was founded by Max and Sol Weiss in 1949 in San Francisco, California. They had previously operated a record-pressing plant called Circle Record Company before forming the Fantasy label...
and his 1971 solo debut album, Tom Fogerty, reached #78 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart. On the follow-up, Excalibur, Jerry Garcia
Jerry Garcia
Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead...
and Merl Saunders
Merl Saunders
Merl Saunders, was an American multi-genre musician who played piano and keyboards, favoring the Hammond B-3 console organ.-Biography:...
played on the sessions. Stu Cook
Stu Cook
Stuart Alden Cook is an American bass guitarist, best known for his work in the rock band, Creedence Clearwater Revival....
and Doug Clifford
Doug Clifford
Doug "Cosmo" Clifford played drums in the American rock band, Creedence Clearwater Revival...
(CCR's former bass guitarist and drummer) and John Fogerty performed on the 1974 followup album, Zephyr National. The song "Joyful Resurrection" features a complete reunion of CCR though John Fogerty recorded his parts separately. Cook and Clifford also backed Tom on his second LP release of 1974 titled Myopia.
Throughout the rest of the 1970s and 1980s, Fogerty continued to record. He claimed all royalties and sued Fantasy Records; when Tom re-signed with Fantasy (effectively releasing an obligor
Assignment (law)
An assignment is a term used with similar meanings in the law of contracts and in the law of real estate. In both instances, it encompasses the transfer of rights held by one party—the assignor—to another party—the assignee...
—Fantasy Records, the deepest pocket—of joint liability and waiver of damages to his brother, an obligee
Delegation (law)
Delegation is a term used in the law of contracts to describe the act of giving another person the responsibility of carrying out the performance agreed to in a contract...
), Fogerty lived comfortably in Scottsdale, Arizona for the remainder of his life, thanks to his Creedence royalties. He was an occasional surprise call-in guest on local radio station KSLX-FM.
At the October 1980 reception for Tom's marriage to Tricia Clapper, all four members of CCR reunited and performed for the first time in a decade, and for the final time.
Death
On September 6, 1990, Tom Fogerty died in Scottsdale, ArizonaScottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
(specifically from a tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
infection), having contracted HIV from blood transfusions for back ailments. After his death a music compilation titled The Very Best of Tom Fogerty
The Very Best of Tom Fogerty
The Very Best of Tom Fogerty is a compilation of various material from rock musician Tom Fogerty's solo career. It was released July 27, 1999 on the Varèse Sarabande label.- Track listing :# "Goodbye Media Man" – 6:09...
was released.
Discography
Creedence Clearwater Revival- Creedence Clearwater RevivalCreedence Clearwater Revival (album)Creedence Clearwater Revival is the first album by the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, released in 1968.The reissue liner notes state that while "Susie Q" proved to be a hit, the band had played for years as the Golliwogs in the early 1960s, releasing numerous singles before...
- 1968 - Bayou CountryBayou CountryBayou Country is the second studio album by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, released by Fantasy Records in January 1969, and was the first of three albums CCR released in that year .- Original album :...
-1969 - Green RiverGreen River (album)Green River is the third studio album by American rock and roll band Creedence Clearwater Revival, released in August 1969 after their second release Bayou Country which was released in January of the same year . In 2003, the album was ranked number 95 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500...
- 1969 - Willy and the Poor BoysWilly and the Poor BoysWilly and the Poor Boys is the fourth studio album by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, released by Fantasy Records in November 1969, and was the last of three studio albums that the band released in that year ....
- 1969 - Cosmo's FactoryCosmo's FactoryCosmo's Factory is the fifth studio album by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, released by Fantasy Records in July 1970 and released as Fantasy 8402, the same month as the single release of "Lookin' out My Back Door" b/w "Long As I Can See the Light" .The name of the album comes from...
- 1970 - Pendulum - 1970
As a solo artist
- Tom FogertyTom Fogerty (album)-Track list:All songs written by Tom Fogerty. # "The Legend of Alcatraz" – 2:35# "Lady of Fatima" – 4:27# "Beauty is Under the Skin" – 2:29# "Wondering" – 2:31# "My Pretty Baby" – 2:24# "Train to Nowhere" – 3:39...
- 1972 - ExcaliburExcalibur (Tom Fogerty album)Excalibur was Tom Fogerty's second solo album.-Track list:All songs written by Tom Fogerty, except where noted. # "Forty Years" – 3:40# "Black Jack Jenny" – 2:30# "Rocky Road Blues" – 3:56...
- 1972 - Zephyr NationalZephyr NationalZephyr National was Tom Fogerty's third solo album. His brother John played on the album, but recorded his parts separately from former band members Doug Clifford and Stu Cook.- Track listing :# "It's Been A Good Day" – 2:25...
- 1974 - MyopiaMyopia (Tom Fogerty album)Myopia was Tom Fogerty's fourth solo album.-Track list:All songs written by Tom Fogerty.# "Give Me Another Trojan Song" – 2:59# "What Did I Know" – 2:35# "Theme from Four-D" – 3:11# "Sweet Things to Come" – 2:11...
- 1974 - Deal It OutDeal It OutDeal It Out was Tom Fogerty's fifth solo album.-Track list:All songs written by Tom Fogerty, except where noted.# "Champagne Love" – 2:47 # "Why Me" – 5:39# "Real Real Gone" – 4:06...
- 1981 - Precious GemsPrecious GemsPrecious Gems was Tom Fogerty's sixth and final solo album.-Track list:# "Running Back to Me" # "Life Is But a Dream" # "Mistreater" # "Run With Your Love" # "Bart" [instrumental]...
- 1984 - SidekicksSidekicks (Tom Fogerty album)Sidekicks is an album by Tom Fogerty, recorded with Randy Oda in 1988 and released in 1992 on Fantasy Records.- Track listing :# "Rainbow Carousel" – 7:40# "Money Buys It " – 3:00# "Video Girl" – 4:40...
- released posthumously in 1992
Ruby
- Ruby - 1976
- Rock & Roll MadnessRock & Roll MadnessRock & Roll Madness is the second album by American rock group Ruby, featuring Tom Fogerty.- Track listing :# "Run With Your Love"# "Mistreater"# "Take a Little More Time"# "Make Love to You"# "Evergreen in Mexico"# "It's Gotta Be You"...
- 1978
Other releases
- The Very Best of Tom FogertyThe Very Best of Tom FogertyThe Very Best of Tom Fogerty is a compilation of various material from rock musician Tom Fogerty's solo career. It was released July 27, 1999 on the Varèse Sarabande label.- Track listing :# "Goodbye Media Man" – 6:09...
- Tom Fogerty Live in California 1982
External links
- [ Allmusic biography by Richie Unterberger]