Joe Rogan Experience #2485 - John Fogerty

Sued for sounding like himself

Fantasy Records owner Saul Zaentz sued Fogerty for $144 million over his solo song 'The Old Man Down the Road,' claiming it sounded too much like Creedence Clearwater Revival, despite Fogerty writing both catalogs.

CIA-linked bank stole life savings

CCR lost their entire life savings in the Castle Bank offshore tax scheme when the Bahamas-based bank—later revealed as a CIA front funding anti-Castro operations—abruptly closed after its president died suspiciously in a sauna.

Betrayal by bandmates

Former CCR bassist Stu Cook encouraged Zaentz to sue Fogerty despite Fogerty having taught him every note he played, while Fogerty's brother Tom publicly called Zaentz his 'best friend' during the legal battles.

Starvation and cannabis to exit Army

Fogerty dropped to 129 pounds through a starvation diet and smoked marijuana given by friends across the Bay Bridge before his 1967 army physical to secure a discharge from military service.

Alcoholism and suicidal despair

Following years of legal betrayal and financial ruin, Fogerty fell into severe alcohol abuse and depression, stating he would likely be dead without meeting his wife Julie, who pulled him out of a 'terrible mental place.'

UFC embraces CCR anthems

Fogerty learned that modern fighters frequently use his songs like 'Fortunate Son' and 'Bad Moon Rising' as UFC walkout music, introducing his Vietnam-era protest rock to new generations.

Forced to change song titles

As part of legal settlements with Fantasy Records, Fogerty had to change the title of 'Zance Can't Dance' to 'Vance Can't Dance' after it sold half a million copies, because the character was based on a real person named Zance.