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Fogerty, the American Songwriter

As a recovering stand-up comic, I have had the opportunity to open for many national acts. Sadly, this is more a reflection of a concert promoter’s frugality than an indication of my amazing comedic talents. So, along the way I opened for everyone from Kool and the Gang to REM to the Ramones.

I got a call in 1987 to open for John Fogerty at a Vietnam-vets benefit in Washington, DC. Well, I am one of those people who believe Fogerty is the American songwriter and whose recordings continue to reflect the American experience more than any other contemporary artist. So, yeah, I like the guy. I immediately said yes.

In the year preceding this event, however, Fogerty, because of legal snags and bitterness toward his former label, was not performing the old CCR [Creedence Clearwater Revival] stuff. I remember thinking how ironic it would be to have him skip songs like “Fortunate Son” and “Who'll Stop the Rain” while in DC for vets and families of a conflict still very much alive in their hearts and minds. It bothered me, puzzled me.

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The event was scheduled for July 4, and as the day approached, many people made a sojourn to the still-new Vietnam Veterans Memorial. So, early on the Fourth, I joined them. We walked along a wall that carries the visitor down a path, revealing in chronological order the names of the tens of thousands of American men and women who died during the long conflict.

As I walked along the solemn path, I looked up and saw John Fogerty. Modestly dressed, he was walking alone, as though he were taking it all in. He reached up and touched a name, took a step back. I didn’t say anything to him, and from what I could tell, he went unrecognized.

The next day he performed for thousands of Americans. My role had been reduced to an emcee, but I didn’t mind. Even though I never got to meet him, all was cool. Especially when for the first time in years, Fogerty blasted through songs like “Fortunate Son” and “Who'll Stop the Rain.”

DJ: Chip Franklin

Station: KOGO AM 600

Shift: Weekdays from 5:00–9:00 a.m.

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As a recovering stand-up comic, I have had the opportunity to open for many national acts. Sadly, this is more a reflection of a concert promoter’s frugality than an indication of my amazing comedic talents. So, along the way I opened for everyone from Kool and the Gang to REM to the Ramones.

I got a call in 1987 to open for John Fogerty at a Vietnam-vets benefit in Washington, DC. Well, I am one of those people who believe Fogerty is the American songwriter and whose recordings continue to reflect the American experience more than any other contemporary artist. So, yeah, I like the guy. I immediately said yes.

In the year preceding this event, however, Fogerty, because of legal snags and bitterness toward his former label, was not performing the old CCR [Creedence Clearwater Revival] stuff. I remember thinking how ironic it would be to have him skip songs like “Fortunate Son” and “Who'll Stop the Rain” while in DC for vets and families of a conflict still very much alive in their hearts and minds. It bothered me, puzzled me.

Sponsored
Sponsored

The event was scheduled for July 4, and as the day approached, many people made a sojourn to the still-new Vietnam Veterans Memorial. So, early on the Fourth, I joined them. We walked along a wall that carries the visitor down a path, revealing in chronological order the names of the tens of thousands of American men and women who died during the long conflict.

As I walked along the solemn path, I looked up and saw John Fogerty. Modestly dressed, he was walking alone, as though he were taking it all in. He reached up and touched a name, took a step back. I didn’t say anything to him, and from what I could tell, he went unrecognized.

The next day he performed for thousands of Americans. My role had been reduced to an emcee, but I didn’t mind. Even though I never got to meet him, all was cool. Especially when for the first time in years, Fogerty blasted through songs like “Fortunate Son” and “Who'll Stop the Rain.”

DJ: Chip Franklin

Station: KOGO AM 600

Shift: Weekdays from 5:00–9:00 a.m.

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SDSU pres gets highest pay raise in state over last 15 years

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