Imagine a legendary rock band with a name so unique, it’s impossible to forget—but did you know it all started in a junior high school music room? Creedence Clearwater Revival’s origins are as fascinating as their music, and bassist Stu Cook recently spilled the beans on how it all began. But here’s where it gets intriguing: despite decades of tension between John Fogerty and his former bandmates, Stu Cook and Doug Clifford, their story starts with a simple friendship forged in the halls of El Cerrito Junior High in California.
In a candid interview with VRP Rocks on YouTube, Cook takes us back to the eighth grade, where a chance encounter between Doug Clifford and John Fogerty set the stage for rock history. Clifford, drawn by the sound of a piano, stumbled upon Fogerty in the music room. Their shared dream of forming a band led them to recruit Stu Cook, who not only played piano but also had a place to rehearse. And just like that, The Blue Velvets were born, an instrumental trio that quickly became a local sensation.
But this is the part most people miss: before they were Creedence Clearwater Revival, they were playing school dances and assemblies, even performing at other high schools—a perk that came with skipping the rest of the school day! Their early success wasn’t just about music; it was about camaraderie and a shared vision. Soon, they teamed up with John’s older brother, Tom Fogerty, who was already making waves in the local music scene. This collaboration led to their first recordings, billed as Tommy Fogerty & The Blue Velvets, with the exact lineup that would later become Creedence Clearwater Revival.
And this is where it gets controversial: in 1964, after signing with Fantasy Records, the band was rechristened first as Vision, and then as The Glliwogs—a name they deeply regretted. Why? Because, as Cook explains, it’s a term rooted in Britain’s colonial past with racist connotations. Despite their discomfort, they stuck with it, reluctant to challenge their manager. Between 1964 and 1967, The Glliwogs released seven singles, with John Fogerty gradually taking the reins of the group.
The turning point came with their final single as The Glliwogs, ‘Porterville,’ and a new record deal under Saul Zaentz. This time, the band insisted on a name change—one that would reflect their identity and stand out in the crowded music scene. *Enter Creedence Clearwater Revival**, a name as bold and enigmatic as their sound. But how did they come up with it? Cook reveals it was a deliberate choice to mimic the multi-word names of bands like Jefferson Airplane and Quicksilver Messenger Service, while adding layers of personal meaning.
‘Creedence’ was inspired by Credence Newball, an acquaintance of Tom Fogerty, with an extra ‘e’ thrown in for flair. ‘Clearwater’ was an early nod to environmentalism, inspired by a TV ad addressing pollution. And ‘Revival’? It symbolized their renewed commitment to success after nearly a decade of striving. John Fogerty pieced it all together, despite initial doubts about the name’s length. ‘No one’s gonna confuse us with anybody else,’ they reasoned—and they were right.
‘Porterville’ was re-released under their new name, marking the beginning of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s meteoric rise. But here’s the question: Does a band’s name truly shape their legacy, or is it the music that endures? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this iconic band’s journey and the choices that defined them.
