Tom Fogerty

Tom Fogerty
Tom Fogerty, 1974
Background information
Birth name	Thomas Richard Fogerty
Born	November 9, 1941(1941-11-09) Berkeley, California, United States
Died	September 6, 1990(1990-09-06) (aged 48) Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Genres	Rock, roots rock, country rock, blues rock, swamp rock, southern rock, rock and roll
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1959–1990
Labels	Fantasy, PBR
Associated acts	Creedence Clearwater Revival, Ruby
Website	Tom Fogerty homepage
Notable instruments
Guild Starfire IV Rickenbacker 360 (6-string)

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.

Early life and career

Fogerty was born in Berkeley, California. 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.

Death

On September 6, 1990, Tom Fogerty died in Scottsdale, Arizona 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.

Discography

Creedence Clearwater Revival

• Creedence Clearwater Revival - 1968
• Bayou Country -1969
• Green River - 1969
• Willy and the Poor Boys - 1969
• Cosmo's Factory - 1970
• Pendulum - 1970

As a solo artist

• Tom Fogerty - 1972
• Excalibur - 1972
• Zephyr National - 1974
• Myopia - 1974
• Deal It Out - 1981
• Precious Gems - 1984
• Sidekicks - released posthumously in 1992

Ruby

• Ruby - 1976
• Rock & Roll Madness - 1978

Other releases

• The Very Best of Tom Fogerty
• Tom Fogerty Live in California 1982

External links

• Allmusic biography by Richie Unterberger