# Born 85 Years Ago Today in California, the Rhythm Guitarist Who Co-Founded One of Rock’s Biggest Bands With His Younger Brother

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/born-85-years-ago-today-in-california-the-rhythm-guitarist-who-co-founded-one-of-rocks-biggest-bands-with-his-younger-brother/
- Published: 2026-11-09T15:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T17:11:34+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/born-85-years-ago-today-in-california-the-rhythm-guitarist-who-co-founded-one-of-rocks-biggest-bands-with-his-younger-brother/
- Topics: Americas, Entertainment, Music, World

## Key points

- 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.

## Summary

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.

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