In 2023, John Fogerty bought a majority interest in the worldwide publishing rights to his historic Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) song catalog. He did not buy back the original CCR recordings: Concord said it retained those master recordings in its catalog.
What rights did John Fogerty regain?
The January 12, 2023 announcement from Concord described the transaction as Fogerty’s purchase of a majority interest in the catalog’s worldwide publishing rights. Publishing rights relate to the musical compositions—the songs themselves—not automatically to each recorded performance of them. Concord did not state the exact percentage Fogerty acquired.
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The price was undisclosed. Concord also said it would administer Fogerty’s share of the publishing catalog for a limited time, but did not give an end date. The announcement called the arrangement an early reversion; it did not explain which contractual event was accelerated. Concord’s January 12, 2023 announcement provides the transaction details.
Does Fogerty own the original CCR recordings now?
No. Concord said it retained the CCR master recordings already in its catalog. A composition and a particular sound recording are separate assets, and this deal concerned a majority interest in publishing—not the original masters.
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Among the songs associated with Fogerty’s catalog are “Proud Mary,” “Down on the Corner,” “Fortunate Son,” “Bad Moon Rising” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” Those examples do not mean the deal transferred every right to every composition or recording.
Why was the agreement significant?
Concord said it had owned the rights since acquiring Fantasy Records in 2004. Its announcement recounts that Fogerty relinquished artist royalties to Fantasy owner Saul Zaentz in 1980 to get out of his Fantasy deal. Concord said it later reinstated and increased Fogerty’s artist royalties after taking over the catalog.
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- Fogerty celebrates the songs that shaped rock history - on his own terms
The chronology is not consistent across the cited biographies. Concord’s biography and Fogerty’s official biography say he extricated himself from Fantasy in 1974, while Concord’s 2023 announcement gives 1980 for relinquishing artist royalties to Zaentz. These accounts may describe different parts of the relationship, but the sources do not explain the discrepancy; the dates should not be treated as one established event.
The dispute also led to litigation. Concord’s biography says Fantasy sued Fogerty for copyright infringement over a song, and that Fogerty later countersued over attorneys’ fees. It summarizes the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1994 decision as rejecting a higher burden for successful defendants seeking fees than for successful plaintiffs. Concord’s biography gives that account; the summary here does not substitute for the Court’s opinion.
How Fogerty described getting the songs back
In a 2023 Forbes interview, Fogerty said, “I always felt that it was wrong that I didn’t own my songs.” The interview reports that his wife, Julie Fogerty, initiated renewed discussions with Concord. Jim Ryan’s Forbes interview with Fogerty covers his response to the deal.
Concord president Bob Valentine described the agreement this way: “Given the unique set of circumstances around the history of John’s relationship with Fantasy, we were more than happy to oblige John and Julie in working out an agreement for these songs to revert back to him early.” The quotation appears in Concord’s January 12, 2023 announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A later recording project is separate from the deal
Fogerty’s Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years, released through Concord on August 22, 2025, features new recordings of many of his classics with family members. These recordings are distinct from the original CCR masters Concord said it retained in 2023. GRAMMY.com’s 2025 interview with Fogerty discusses the album.
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