Musical legend John Fogerty explains how Creedence Clearwater Revival got its iconic name.
Every band has its origin story, whether a one-hit-wonder that was only around for a year or two or beloved classic groups like The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. Those stories include everything from how the band members met to what led them to form a band and when and where they first played their first gig. These are just some of the questions surrounding bands that listeners typically want to know.
Another question that is usually of great interest to many is about a band’s name. How and why did they settle on this or that name? Many bands have come up with rather dull, mundane names that require no explanation. The Birds, The Monkees and The Eagles are just a few bands with bland names.
However, Creedence Clearwater Revival, often shortened to CCR, is one of the most unusual, memorable band names you’ll ever hear. So, how did the legendary band come up with its name? I must admit that’s something that has crossed my mind before. Well, in a video posted on YouTube, the band’s lead singer, John Fogerty, finally answers that question.
In the clip, John reveals that the band had previously been known as The Golliwogs, a name they used for three years but were not thrilled with.
“Now, we had been named The Golliwogs by Fantasy Records,” John said. “When the first single came out in 1964, surprising us that it actually said, “Little Girl,” was the name of the song, by The Golliwogs, who we didn’t know who that was. We thought it was a mistake.”
So, from October to December of 1967, they set out to come up with a new name, coming up with hundreds of suggestions, none of which they liked.
John states that while watching television on Christmas Eve in 1967, he saw back-to-back commercials that gave him some ideas and placed some images in his mind. Eventually, after a little more brainstorming, John came up with the name for the legendary band that many around the world know and love.
“I said to myself, ‘Creedence Clearwater Revival. Wow!’ John said in the clip. “That just sounded great to me! Still does!”
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”