John Fogerty’s old band Creedence Clearwater Revival original set at Woodtsock was stuff of legend, even if it was at 2am on August 18, 1969. Fast forward 50 years to the exact day, John Fogerty was performing on the same grounds that the original site that Woodstock was held. Fogerty has been embracing his 50-year trip (what his current tour is called) with playing a lot of those songs that he did back when they performed them with his old band at Woodstock. In fact, Fogerty finally approved for the bands set at Woodstock to be released. That was only a few weeks ago on August 2nd. Opening for Fogerty were Grace Potter and The Tedeschi Trucks Band.
A huge rainstorm came through right at 6pm when Potter was supposed to take the stage. Her set was delayed about an hour and half. She ended up performing only 5 songs. The sets started with the mood setting “Medicine” Just when Potter started to warm up with “Nothing but Water (1 & 2), her set was unfortunately done. Potter’s aura exudes the hippie element that fits perfectly at Bethel Woods. Let’s hope she returns with a full set sooner than later.
Next up was TTB. This was Derel Trucks first time performing on the sacred site. Trucks stated in an interview about Bethel that the place was special and not to take it too lightly. The band didn’t do that as they incorporated “Soul Sacrifice” from Santana and “I Want to Take You Higher” from Sly and The Family Stone (both original Woodstock performers). Along with these classic tracks, the band sounded tight besides going on later than expected. Trucks was locked in on songs like “Midnight in Harlem” and “Part of Me.” Trucks knew how important it was performing on this site and he and Susan Tedeschi got that notice loud and clear. They performed with a sense of purpose and the energy flowed out of every note.
Headliner John Fogerty was accompanied by a bevy of musicians, That included a 3 piece horn section and 2 background singers. Also, his son Shane Fogerty was on lead guitar and his other son Tyler came out to help sing on a few songs as well.
As Fogerty went running onstage, his band started to play the gritty and swampy “Born on the Bayou.” John Fogerty is known for wearing his traditional flannel shirt. This time the flannel had fringe coming from it. The set had two large lava lamps set on each side of drummer Kenny Aronoff’s kit. He also had a video screen backdrop that showed many old clips that pertained to various songs. The show also included 3 people dressed as hippies dancing before the show and during a few select numbers during it too. Fogerty really tried to incorporate the 69 vibe and did a tremendous job in doing so. Fogerty’ s voice is just as strong and melodic as it was since that time I believe. Him singing “Rock and Roll Girl’s” was a testament to that.
Fogerty did play the famous Rickenbacker guitar that he used during his set at Woodstock. His son reenacted the “Star Spangled Banner” in tribute to Jimi Hendrix. He even lit the guitar on fire at the end of it. They dropped paper flowers, shot off confetti and even at one point, inflated base (beach) balls were tossed around during “Centerfield.” This was a fun filled show that had a little of everything.
This set closed the weekend out with a memorable performance that incorporated 50 years of Woodstock. Not many can get to go “home” and soak it in and appreciate the past while looking to the future. John Fogerty now calls Bethel Woods the coolest place he was ever at. He can now look ahead and finally accept the past something which was something he couldn’t do before!
John Fogerty setlist:
Born on a Bayou (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Green River (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Lookin’ Out my Back Door (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Suzie Q (Dale Hawkins cover)
Who’ll Stop the Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Hey Tonight (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Up Around the Bend (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Rock and Roll Girls
I Heard it Through the Grapevine (Gladys Knight & The pips cover)
With a Little Help From My Friends (Beatles cover- Joe Cocker version)
Long As I Can See the Light (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Good Golly Miss Molly (Little Richard cover)
Everyday People (Sly & The Family Stone cover)
Dance to the Music (Sly & The Family Stone cover)
Give Peace a Chance (Plastic Ono Band cover)
The Star Spangled Banner (Francis Scott key & John Stafford Smith cover – Shane Fogerty guitar solo)
Run Through the Jungle (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Keep on Chooglin’ (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Have You Ever Seen the Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Down on the Corner (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Centerfield
The Old Man Down the Road
Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Encore:
Travelin’ Band (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater Revival song)
We would like to thank Ilana Gold from Bethel Woods for the credentials to review the show.
