The band started out as The Blue Velvets, formed by Tom Fogerty in El Cerrito, Contra Costa County, California in the late 1950s. By the mid 1960s, the band, who had changed their name to The Golliwogs, signed a record contract and released a few obscure singles that failed to get noticed.
Eventually Tom's younger brother, John Fogerty, took control of the group, writing all of their material and singing lead vocals. The band's first album as Creedence Clearwater Revival was released in 1968. A cover of "Suzie Q." became their first hit single.
By 1969, the band really began to find their voice; "Proud Mary" became their second hit single and was followed by a series of hits, including "Bad Moon Rising," "Green River," "Down on the Corner," "Travelin' Band," "Who'll Stop the Rain," "Up Around the Bend," "Fortunate Son," and "Lookin' Out My Back Door."
Due to John Fogerty's success as writer and singer, the other band members began to feel like they were being held back. His brother Tom left the band in 1971, to purse an ill-fated solo career. John Fogerty, in an attempt to keep things together, allowed bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford equal songwriting and vocal time on the band's final album Mardi Gras in 1972, which proved conclusively that Fogerty's songs and vocal style were the key to the band's success.
John Fogerty bought himself out of his contract with Fantasy Records and eventually established a successful solo career.