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Born 85 Years Ago Today in California, the Rhythm Guitarist Who Co-Founded One of Rock’s Biggest Bands With His Younger Brother
Tom Fogerty, born in Berkeley on 9 November 1941, co-founded Creedence Clearwater Revival with his younger brother John and played rhythm guitar, sometimes singing backing vocals. He left the band in 1971 after becoming frustrated with his limited role; CCR split the following year, and the brothers remained estranged until Tom’s death.
CCR achieved 14 consecutive Top 10 singles and five consecutive Top 10 albums, including two that topped the Billboard 200. Tom released seven solo albums and three with the group Ruby, but died aged 48 in 1990 from tuberculosis, with complications related to AIDS contracted through a blood transfusion. In 2025, John said he had forgiven his brother and felt positive towards him.
In short
- Tom Fogerty co-founded Creedence Clearwater Revival with his brother John.
- He left the band in 1971 amid tensions over his role.
- John later said he had forgiven Tom, who died in 1990.
Explained simply
Creedence Clearwater Revival was a rock band formed in California in the late 1960s by brothers Tom and John Fogerty, alongside Stu Cook and Doug Clifford. Tom played rhythm guitar, supporting the songs led by his younger brother John, who was the band’s main singer and songwriter.
The band became one of the most commercially successful groups of its era, with a run of hit singles and albums. Tom left in 1971 after becoming unhappy with his limited role, and the band broke up the following year. The brothers were estranged for much of the time that followed, though John later said he had forgiven Tom.
Tom went on to release solo music and record with the group Ruby. He died in 1990, aged 48, from tuberculosis, with complications linked to AIDS contracted through a blood transfusion. His story reflects both CCR’s success and the personal tensions within the band.
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