Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty has signed an exclusive record deal with BMG for a new solo album and to reissue his solo catalog.
The program kicks off Nov. 17 with the 20th anniversary release of Fogerty’s Grammy Award-winning 1997 album Blue Moon Swamp in various configurations and with a new cover. Fogerty is also at work on a 2018 solo album, his first since 2013’s Wrote A Song For Everyone, a collection issued by Vanguard of Fogerty’s best known songs and new material performed with such artists as Foo Fighters, Bob Seger, Miranda Lambert and Jennifer Hudson.
“I’m excited to partner with BMG for the next chapter of my music career,” Fogerty said in a statement. “Their enthusiasm and confidence, affording me the creative freedom to make the music I want to make, has been absolutely refreshing. We have so many new and intriguing ideas that I look forward to sharing with everyone soon."
John Loeffler, the A&R executive overseeing the deal at BMG, said, “We couldn’t be more proud to sign a cultural and musical icon like John Fogerty, and become part of his legacy as he continues to create extraordinary and timeless music.”
As a solo artist and as the co-founder of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fogerty is responsible for such rock classics as “Proud Mary, “ “Green River, “ “Born on the Bayou, “Fortunate Son,” “Bad Moon Rising,” Centerfield," and countless others. In addition to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The reissue of Blue Moon Swamp begins a program that will include re-releases of studio sets Centerfield, Eye of the Zombie and Deju Vu (All Over Again), as well as live album Premonition and a new Greatest Hits collection curated from his solo catalog. Blue Moon Swamp, which was named best rock album at the 1998 Grammy Awards, holds a special place in Fogerty’s heart as its creation signaled a rebirth for the legend following a debilitating lawsuit.
"Every single note on this record has my heart and soul embedded into it. I had been through so much, being sued by my label for sounding like myself. I had to recover from the emotional damage of what that did to a songwriter," Fogerty tells Billboard in an exclusive statement. "I had to dig deep, and get through the feelings of betrayal. With the love of my wife and children, I was able to make this record.
"No other record I ever made felt like this. It was a victory for me personally and emotionally,” he continues. “On that tour with this record, I was able to sing all of my songs including every song I wrote for my band Creedence Clearwater Revival. If I hadn't made it through recording this record I don't know if anyone would have ever heard John Fogerty singing 'Proud Mary' ever again. It had been 15 years since I sang my songs. And that year, I won my first Grammy ever. It was a huge victory for me.”
Fogerty continues to perform all his CCR and solo hits at his residency at the Wynn’s Encore Theater in Las Vegas. Upcoming runs are Sept. 20-Oct. 7 and Jan. 10-20, 2018.
